Who Dares Wins

Who Dares Wins is a top British action movie made in the early 80's. It's star Lewis Collins was very well known in the UK from the hit TV show "The Profesionals". It was certainly made to cash in on the famous Iranian Embassy siege a mere year before they released this, which was televised live in Britain as the SAS stormed the building. Who Dares Wins has certainly dated as all 80's action films have, but it has great action scenes and stunt work. Collins is good in this and perhaps would have made a good 007, I don't know if he ever tested for the role but his Bond would have been closer to Connery than any since. The story is very silly and some scenes like the "rock concert" are cringe worthy but the action makes up for it, with a superb siege at the end.

This is a film I'd heard of years ago, but never got around to watching it until yesterday.

While the plot seems a little slow at times (an illusion created by watching too many hollywood action movies), and (as many people here have commented) the dialog can get a little cheesy, add to the fact that the hairstyles, clothing, vehicles, etc... look dated now. But that's not what I was watching the film for.

The actual action sequences in the film are typical special operations style action sequences, i.e. they're over practically before they've started! This film, if not realistic (I'm sure it is, but as someone who doesn't know how the SAS really operate, I couldn't comment), is totally believable. From the handover by the police to the military, through the planning phase of the operation, the MOE (fast-roping from helicopters onto the roof, then abseiling down the side of the building), the total communication throughout the assault. It's absolutely breathtaking.

This is no Hollywood Action Movie. It's totally different from the likes of "Operation Delta Force", etc... There are no cheesy one-liners when a terrorist is dropped. There is no jumping about, emptying whole magazines (and more!) into people, shooting from the hip at targets 200 metres away and hitting them with the first shot, while snipers on the opposite side couldn't hit the Titanic from 2 metres away.

So, to sum up, I'd give the plot, characters and acting 7/10, but the action sequences, I'd wholeheartdly give 12/10! Fantastic stuff...

Very entertaining movie, this one. Saw it upon it´s initial release here in Sweden (1982). It has a 007-feeling and Bond-ish quality about it, which I love. Lots of crew members from 007-productions behind the camera.

It is also very suspenseful and it´s got solid action scenes combined with good acting and snappy directing. What´s not to like?!:/

I can very well imagine that the S. A. S. Operates with a similar modus operandi. Since they (of course) doesn´t reveal anything one can only speculate and read books on the subject matter (S. A. S.) It looks and seems real enough (yes, I know it´s a movie).

It´s a pity and very strange that some films doesn´t get the attention and respect they deserve?! Instead loads of crap (WOKE, PC, man-hating - etc.) finds an audience.

Highly recommended film!++++

Ok so some of the supporting actors are weak. the american cast are clearly on holiday. but Lewis Collins is great and should of been a star on the british cinema screen.however the british film industry was pratically dead at the time.great music score maybe not enough action.maybe collins should of been in wild geese 2 instead of scott glenn.

Yes, there is some cheesy acting, but the payoff in this film is excellent! After reading other commentaries on this film, I won't spoil the ending for anyone who hasn't see the film when I say that it concludes with an accurate portrayal of special ops folks in action. But it is not only accurate, it is exciting, and well shot (love the view through the mask!). Combine accuracy and excitement and you have something that beats most of those other "special ops" films hands down. It makes Rambo et al seem downright nonsensical (which it is), and rightly so.

And as someone who studied in Europe for several years and saw the political far left in action on the streets of the major cities, I can tell you that many of them talked just like they do in the movie. And yes, the guerrilla theatre production lampooning the US is accurate, that type of theatre did take place.