Holt Harry raus!

Let's Get Harry is an excellent action movie, as far as low-budget, throwaway action movies go. Don't expect state-of-the-art special effects, a deep and meaningful plot, or Oscar-winning performances by any of the stars (however, it should be noted that Gary Busey, arguably, gives one of his best performances). What you will find, however, is a movie that will entertain fans of the genre for 102 minutes. Basically, it is a Charles Bronson movie without Charles Bronson. As for racial insensitivity, anyone that finds insensitivity within this movie is not a true fan of the genre and probably ought to stay away from action movies in general, as any movie where white people aren't being slaughtered is offensive to them. The purpose of Let's Get Harry is to entertain, not to provide thought-provoking insight into US/Colombian relations.

My review was written in May 1987 after watching the movie on HBO/Cannon video cassette.

"Let's Get Harry" is a well-made, but utterly routine action picture released by TriStar last October ahead of its current home video status. Pic is worth catching for two excellent (as usual) supporting performances by Robert Duvall and Gary Busey. Director Stuart Rosenberg took his name off the credits, reportedly due to a contretemps during post-production (pic was lensed in Mexico and Illinois in 1985).

Project originally was planned as a film by Samuel Fuller, writing and directing, in 1981; he is credited with co-writing the story. It's the trite concept (almost identical to another current release, Vestron''s "Nightforce") pf a grpi[ pf upimg gius. ;ed bu <ocjae; Scjpeff;omg. Deciding to take matters into their own hands to go to Colombia to rescue Schoeffling's brother Harry (Mark Harmon). Kidnapped along with the U. S. ambassador (Bruce Gray) by terrorists. These "terrorists" are actually drug dealers, holding the twosome hostage until their fellow dealers are released from prison.

Picture follows rigidly the cliches of this mini-genre: the old hand mercenary (Robert Duvall) who takes the youngsters under his wing; the hands-are-tied government official ("we don't negotiate with terrorists under any circumstances" is the policy line) and stereotyped bad guys. There's even a totally illogical female role written in, played by Elpidia Carrillo, who is cast in virtually every south-of-the-border Hollywood movie.

Fortunately, film is redeemed somewhat by Duvall, with shaved head and authoritative theping, as a gung ho medal-of-honor winner shaded differently than his similar roles in "Apocalypse Now" and "The Great Santini". Busey is also delightful as a smooth-talking car dealer who agrees to bankroll the mission if he can come along for a "hunting trip". Unfortunately both Duvall and Busey eventually are written out of the scenario, and the film dies without them around.

Lead roles are colorless, with Schoeffling doing an okay job but singing star Glenn Frey making little impression as one of his pals. Rugged he-man Rick Rossovich is cast against type as the wimp of the group.

The cast and the plot outline suggested an action-packed thriller. Instead, through a lack of intelligence, or just laziness, we get a cartoon,filled with irksome inconsistencies...examples-they're captured and thrown in a hellhole prison, but manage to keep coke, cigarette lighters a large,fresh cigar and wardrobe changes, for later use. with no obvious bulges in their pockets, or travel gear of any kind, they find seemingly endless ammo clips They are able to survive without water(no canteens), and constantly endanger the mission with meaningless tantrums. Finally,successfully, they return home in triumph to be greeted by a bunch of people we've never seen before, or merely in passing. Lives were lost,but no one seems to care or remember.

Even for me, a waste of time.

Mark Harmon, Gary Busey and the great Robert Duvall all give fine performances in this film. It is a good action flick that keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you cheer for the good guys and the red white and blue. There are so many what you could call hidden "subliminal" messages in this film. There is a message in this film about the power of friendship, these men are willing to risk their lives to save their friend. This film sort of reminds us of people left behind like POWs in Vietnam. I like the fact the bad guy in this film is a scummy drug dealer who gets it in the end. Drug dealers are scum and murderers to me, they need to be wiped out! Gary Busey has been trashed enough for what he has done in his personal life, that is irrelevant. He is a fine actor who does good work. He is really funny in this film and steals the show. Robert Duvall is a GIANT in his field. This man was even in the Guiness Book of World Records as one of the most versatile actors of all time, he can play any role and play it well you would not even recognize him in one role from another. I really loved Saving Silverman because the message in the film was about friendship, the question HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO HELP A FRIEND???What a wonderful message! This film asks it as well. The blood and guts and shooting and explosions will keep you awake and on the edge of your seat, but the message will make you think after the credits are over. This film came out soon after Rambo: First Blood Part II did. It was when the country was experiencing a wave of patriotism. People realized they treated the Vietnam vets badly when they came home. They spit on them and called them baby killers. It was a horrible time for our country and we realized our wrongs at last. This film brings the message home that we must never do it again. Lets Get Harry won't be considered a classic film, but it is well worth your while to watch it.

In Columbia two Americans get kidnapped. One is the US ambassador and the other a plumber named Harry Burck ( Mark Harmon ) from a small town in Illinois. They are kidnapped by a drug-lord who wants some of his men released from a US jail. Harry's friends go to Washington to try and get the government to do something about it. They are stone-walled. Desperate they hire a mercenary ( Robert Duvall ) and head for Columbia to Harry's rescue! Daft idea huh? Yep. But our brave American heroes are determined to save their friend! It could have been a nice action-movie, but it's pretty bad acted and executed. Most actors are sleepwalking. Only Duvall and Gary Busey give slightly inspired performances. Can't really blame the actors though for this is terribly bad written with no logic or interesting dialog at all. Waste of time I'd say.