Les risque-tout

In the late 70s and early 80s, action films didn't rely on CGI to wow the audiences; stunts were what packed in the crowds—real stunts performed by real stuntmen.

Anything with cars flying 30 feet through the air would be guaranteed to fill the theatres and the limits were pushed by these 'fall guys' as to what they would do in order to impress. Stunts—AKA 'Who Is Killing the Stuntmen?' AKA 'The Deadly Game' (UK video title)—tells of one such guy, Glen Wilson (Robert Forster), who becomes involved in the making of a movie after his brother mysteriously dies performing a stunt. Suspecting foul play, he searches for clues between filming, aided by a feisty female reporter (Fiona Lewis).

Director Mark L. Lester, who later helmed the 80s 'classics' Class of 1984 and Commando, packs the film with all manner of death defying feats, but struggles to make anything special from the run-of-the-mill script. Despite a good performance from the ever-reliable Forster and good support from a raft B-movie regulars (including the great Richard Lynch), the result feels very much like a made-for-TV movie, and lacks the grittiness I was hoping for.

Stunts is enjoyable on a nostalgic level (if you love the vibe of 70s flicks, then there is some fun to be had from the movie's general atmosphere), and it does contain a few fairly impressive action sequences, but I found that, even at a running time of less than an hour and a half, the film only just managed to keep my attention.

I have seen this one many times, every time I enjoy it, simple good story, good acting, stunts in stunts, beautiful women, Fiona Lewis, Joanna Cassidy and Candice Rialson. And, a very special presence, the unique face of Richard Lynch, great personality, even in a secondary role. Nice music, and great end..."just like in the movies" Well done!

I wish I saw "Stunts" when it first came out. I would have been thirteen years old and I would have loved every second of it. Watching it today, I liked a whole bunch of it. This movie has goodwill to spare. The cast is very likeable and most of them give nice performances. The story is silly but the stunts are cool so that balances out. The location photography is very good. I feel like visiting that hotel. All in all, I plan on watching "Stunts" again real soon. Honorable mention: Ray Sharkey.

This neat little sleeper of a movie, which is a pre-cursor to the more mainstream THE STUNTMAN, grabs you from the first few minutes and takes you on a wild ride right up to the end. When stuntman Greg Wilson (Gary Davis) meets a grisly end while on location with a film company, his brother Glen (Robert Forster) shows up to complete the film in his place, and find out what really happened.

Several more stuntmen meet their demise and it's really looking bad for the Special Effects man Pete Lustig (Richard Lynch). Lustig is a strange fellow to be sure, but is he capable of cold-blooded murder? The surviving stuntmen seem to think so as the bodies continue to pile up.

Meanwhile reporter BJ Parswell (Fiona Lewis) arrives to do a story on the mysterious deaths and finds herself right in the middle of it all. The action-packed ending will have you on the edge of your seat as the killer is finally revealed.

I liked this film, it wasn't as good as THE STUNTMAN, but not bad either. Forster, who resembles Robert Blake, is great as tough guy Glen. You find yourself rooting for him to find the real killer. Lynch does a fine job as the creepy, lone-wolf Lustig, yet he has such a sad, puppy-dog quality to him that you find yourself hoping he's not the one. It's hard to hate someone who seems so lonely and left out. And Lewis is superb as the bitchy reporter who turns out to be pretty nice and who ends up helping to solve the mystery.

A stuntman dies falling from a helicopter during filming. The man's brother Glen Wilson (Robert Forster) is joining the crew. On the way, he picks up reporter B.J. Parswell who is writing about the dangers of stunt work. There are more accidents on set or it could be deliberate.

This is most notable for being New Line Cinema's first production after being a distribution company. It starts with a very nice stunt and at least, the stunt work is all very nice. There are a lot of car stunts. It's a good behind-the-scenes representation. Even a simple helicopter hovering looks more dangerous when it is so close. The story isn't much. There are a couple of great actor but in general, the acting isn't that good. Just watch this for the stunt work.