Who Dares Wins

I have given this a 8 not because of the acting or the film its self,it was full of goofs,but the story was bang on the mark. How people forget how it was back in 1983 when the film came out if you get yourself along to a disused nuclear shelter like the one in Fife,Scotland (Secret Bunker)and take a look at the posters of all the CND marches,ban the bomb,etc you begin to remember how it was back then and the fear the cold war had on people,it was also a time of extreme Right,and left wing politics in the UK (Skinheads,Anarchists,National Front,and Communist party's) The SAS were also in the news,and the footage was almost like the Iranain Embassy footage at the time complete with Anna Ford news reading for ITN

From an army point of view,there was some good Accuracys amongst the goofs,the SAS train with live ammo,not blanks,the HQ was correct,the train in the Welsh hills,and they founded the flash bang grenade,the Hotel entry was also correct,blowing the hinges of the front door,with a shot gun,and the SAS train with other international army's (deemed friendly to the UK)

the funding for the terrorists was not too far from the real life truth,and it was a time of mercenaries,everybody was hiring everyone who was special op trained

I found the Film'looked' a bit like the Proffesionals TV series at the time in places,and the Music also conveyed this,this was deliberate on Sir Lew Grades part as to make a smooth transition from small screen to Big for Mr Collins

the real hero in the film is the Scottish actor who plays a fellow solider (of Collins) in the film,who plays it straight and realistic throughout

I have had this film since it came out (2 tapes,and a DVD),not in my all time top 10,but comes out from time to time,to bring back memory's of a forgotten time,and a time of Cold War fear

Donald Suttie

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...

I saw this movie when it was titled, "The Final Option". I was an avid reader of Soldier of Fortune (SOF) magazine and it was recommended as a must see movie. It was noted for its realism. In addition, it was felt the peace movement was actually supported by Russia because by having the "West" disarm, it would allow Russia to get stronger while the West got weaker. You see this in the movie when the bankers help funnel money to the peace movement.

The main reason for seeing the movie was the action by the Special Air Service (SAS). SOF magazine said the SAS cooperated in the making of the movie. I thought the movie was a little long but the action parts were first rate. The final part was the best part. The best part was when the camera was filming through the gas mask and you could hear and see what it is really like to be on the inside. I remember the huffing and puffing and the words, "One terrorist down, one terrorist down" as each one got shot. SOF magazine said when the SAS goes in, there are no prisoners taken-only dead terrorists. As a real law enforcement person I am always complaining how the public has no idea of what really happens during police actions. The public always seems to ask why did the police not shoot the gun out of a persons hand or why did the police shoot or didn't shoot. Split second decisions have to be made and it is so easy to to be a "Monday morning quarterback" They never see the confusion. I think every person who thinks the cops are always wrong should see this movie.

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.