Who Dares Wins

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.

Since i'm going to be a Royal Marine Commando, this movie was very appealing. Not just for it's hardcore violence (Which I like), but also for the fact that my mother named me after the star of the film, Lewis Collins, which i'm pretty chuffed about.

Their has never been a movie that comes this close to showing the general public the SAS, their training, and their skills, which makes the movie so damn good.

One thing that i was a bit disappointed about, was the fact that if they had made the film 3 years later (1985), they (At the start when their in the mountains in Wales) would have been using the SA80 rifle, which is much cooler than the one they were using in the movie (The FN-FAL or something like that).

An overall wicked movie that I would recommend to anybody that's interested in the military, and who loves guns and violence!!!!!!

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.

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

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.