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Le scorpion rouge

Original title: Red Scorpion
  • 1988
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
10K
YOUR RATING
Dolph Lundgren in Le scorpion rouge (1988)
A Spetsnaz commando is sent on a covert mission by his Soviet superiors to infiltrate a rebel army and assassinate its leader.
Play trailer1:51
1 Video
99+ Photos
Dark ComedyActionAdventure

A Spetsnaz commando is sent on a covert mission by his Soviet superiors to infiltrate a rebel army and assassinate its leader.A Spetsnaz commando is sent on a covert mission by his Soviet superiors to infiltrate a rebel army and assassinate its leader.A Spetsnaz commando is sent on a covert mission by his Soviet superiors to infiltrate a rebel army and assassinate its leader.

  • Director
    • Joseph Zito
  • Writers
    • Robert Abramoff
    • Jack Abramoff
    • Arne Olsen
  • Stars
    • Dolph Lundgren
    • M. Emmet Walsh
    • Al White
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.2/10
    10K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joseph Zito
    • Writers
      • Robert Abramoff
      • Jack Abramoff
      • Arne Olsen
    • Stars
      • Dolph Lundgren
      • M. Emmet Walsh
      • Al White
    • 77User reviews
    • 75Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:51
    Trailer

    Photos131

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    Top cast35

    Edit
    Dolph Lundgren
    Dolph Lundgren
    • Lt. Nikolai Rachenko
    M. Emmet Walsh
    M. Emmet Walsh
    • Dewey Ferguson
    Al White
    Al White
    • Kallunda Kintash
    T.P. McKenna
    T.P. McKenna
    • General Vortek
    Carmen Argenziano
    Carmen Argenziano
    • Col. Zayas
    Alex Colon
    Alex Colon
    • Mendez
    Brion James
    Brion James
    • Sgt. Krasnov
    Ruben Nthodi
    • Ango Sundata
    Vusi Dibakwane
    • Guerilla Officer
    • (as Vuzi Dibukwana)
    James Mthoba
    • Guerilla Officer
    Dinky Motsemme
    • Guerilla Officer
    Ernest Ndlovu
    • Guerilla Guard…
    Thapelo Mofokeng
    • Guerilla
    • (as Thapeld Mofokeng)
    Mxolisi Hulana
    • Guerilla
    Nicky Rebelo
    Nicky Rebelo
    • Occupation Officer
    Drummond Marais
    • Occupation Officer
    Charles Comyn
    • Occupation Officer
    Tullio Moneta
    • Occupation Soldier
    • (as Tulio Moneta)
    • Director
      • Joseph Zito
    • Writers
      • Robert Abramoff
      • Jack Abramoff
      • Arne Olsen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews77

    5.210.3K
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    Featured reviews

    4TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews

    Average

    The most distinguishing feature of this is where it was filmed, and, linked to that, the fact that there are actual bush-men in it. Lundgren makes a good enough Rambo-type, one-man-army action flick protagonist, though one has to wonder why this passes on every single opportunity for a one-liner. I do not know enough about Russian to judge his accent or pronunciation, but going by the message boards, it's terrible. The acting is OK. I'm certain I'm not the only who wanted to strangle Walsh every time he opened his mouth; that's not his fault, it's how his role was written. The plot is sufficiently simple. Pacing is acceptable. The explosions, chases, shootouts and fights are reasonably done and entertaining enough, if nothing special. There's a lot of attempts at humor in this... however, only a select few are funny. More typically, it comes off as forced and trying too hard. This is by no means a great piece of work, and if was truly funded by pro-Apartheid military, it basically redefines the term "guilty pleasure". There is frequent strong language and a moderate amount of bloody, and occasionally gory, violence. The DVD contains a trailer for this, and one for Blue Jean Cop. I recommend this to fans of those who made it. 4/10
    dolphlundgren87

    Great movie

    It's a fantastic movie and very touching. It may appear 'slow' at times, but bear with it, because it's well worth it. I love the switching. First he's on the soviets side, then pretends to be on the african side, go back to the soviets only to be tortured and then escapes to re-join the african rebels. The theme music for this movie is FANTASTIC. The best scene is after Dolph blows off the Cuban commanders arm; he is outside firing a heavy machine gun (in slow motion with the theme song playing in the background). That part may only be 5 seconds long, but it's the best part in my opinion.
    8vocal_warchild

    excellent pile of junk!!!!!!!!!!!

    OK now I'm not going to try and say that this film is by any means a true classic, BUT it is a type of classic.

    in so much as that it has the man Dolph, mostly half nude, and it has guns, and some really nasty ones at that. so the plot is really weak, nobody is going to buy into the fact that one guy can save a nation but thats not the point, its really just a vehicle for Dolph to do his thing, which is to look tough and sound funny in a monotone kinda way.

    i really like the torture scene where the guy is sticking large needles through Dolphs anatomy, actually looks pretty realistic considering its not a big budget film, and also i like the scarification that Dolphs little tribesman friend does for him while he is drugged.

    the highlight of the film for me is probably the goofy relationship that is forged between Dolphs character and the little bushman, its really fun. the language barrier is well played out but the writers and actors have enabled this element to flow very well and their means of communication is really very effective at translating the messages of the relationship for the film.

    so do yourself a favor and go rent the DVD as it has at long last been released, and sit back and enjoy some cornball action for all its worth.

    just don't expect any special features cause their isn't any.
    wellthatswhatithinkanyway

    One of Dolph's lamer earlier features

    STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

    Directed by Missing In Action's Josepth Zito,this has Lundgren as Russian killing machine Nikolai,sent to Africa to take out an anti-communist rebel leader,only to suffer a conscience attack and take sides with his innocent,poverty stricken targets.Sure,there may be a lot of action packed explosions and gunfights between the middle and the end,but frankly,with a plot this slumberous and tackily put together,even the most dedicated action fan is likely to not care.**
    6ma-cortes

    Exciting adventures , thrills and bloody battles in the African desert

    Russian agent named Nikolai (Dolph Lundgren) is a Spetsnaz , a perfect killer machine . The Soviet lieutenant journey to Africa where is the headquarter in which lives the Russian and Cuban militia (Carmen Argenziano , Brion James). He is assigned to infiltrate and to assassinate an adversarial anti-Communist black revolutionary named Sundate as leader of a rebel group who is assisted by Kallunda (Al White). Nikolai unexpectedly , commits a betrayal that enrages his Russian commandant as the General Vortez (T.P. McKenna), who orders his immediate punishment . In this case the nasty General is a genocide officer who uses his helicopter to cause mayhem and slaughter in minority communities. Making his getaway through the dangerous desert, Nikolai switches sides and join forces with the rebels, in the company of an American reporter (M. Emmet Walsh). Nikolai allies himself with a tribe of bushmen, and earning the nickname "Red Scorpion" . As Nikolai's new-found independence and switch allegiances with new friends . All of them , lead in his leadership of the rebels against his previous comrades .

    This moving film contains thrills ,fiercy combats , tortures , lethal shootouts and lots of explosions and noisy action . From the beginning to the end the comic-book action-packed and extreme violence is continued and it's fast movement ; for that reason the picture is pretty entertaining , though contains some perfunctory scenes . Passable performance of Sweden Dolph Lundgren as Soviet agent par excellence trained in deep undercover job and finds himself drawn to the guerrillas' riot . This is a routine actioner with Karate expertise star Dolph Lundgren as the Soviet veteran resulting to be one of the best roles he'd made to date , as he's fine -though some wooden- as tough, cold , obstinate agent Nikolai. It provides some interesting background on Dolph Lundgren 's rocky relationship with communism and switching allies with spectacular final climax storming their headquarters in a no-quarter , deadly showdown . Poor acting abounds but packed with violence , bloodshed and exciting action scenes as when Lundgren shoots his machine gun , several explosions or scenes from spectacular helicopters similarly used in ¨Rambo III ¨ at Afghanistan. Catching musical score by Jay Chattaway and regular cinematography by cameraman Joao Fernandez , both of whom worked in the trilogy ¨Braddock's Missing in action ¨ who bears certain resemblance in some qualities to ¨Red Scorpion¨. The motion picture produced in average budget is professionally directed by Joseph Zito (Invasion USA, 13th Friday final chapter, Missing in action , The prowler). Rating : Acceptable, passable and amusing but violent . Although the movie has some aspects a little tough to take , this thrilling film still has its nice moments getting a bemusing atmosphere with agreeable results , furthermore grossed moderated success at the box office .

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The filmmakers used a real bushmen tribe and Regopstaan was their 95-year-old leader who only agreed to be in the movie if his tribe could follow him everywhere.
    • Goofs
      When Lt. Nikolai Rachenko is lifting the truck out of the ground in the final battle, he props his gun up leaning on the truck. As he lifts, the gun noticeably slides off; in the next shot, it's standing up again.
    • Quotes

      Dewey Ferguson: Man, what I'd give for a bacon-cheeseburger right now. Wash it down with an icecold glass of beer. Fuckin' A.

      Kallunda: When we arrive at Porto Silva, there will be a celebration, and much feasting. Beer too.

      Dewey Ferguson: Fuckin' A!

      Lt. Nikolai: Do the americans all swear so much as you do?

      Dewey Ferguson: As a matter of fact, in America, an american can swear whenever, wherever, however much he or she fuckin' well pleases! It's a little something we call freedom of speech, which I'm sure you russians aren't real familiar with!

      Lt. Nikolai: We are free to swear.

      Dewey Ferguson: Well yippee dee *fuck*! Guess I've got you bastards figured out totally wrong after all! I'll take the first watch. Shit!

      [He walks away]

      Dewey Ferguson: Shit! Shit! Shit!

      Lt. Nikolai: Noisy little fuck.

    • Crazy credits
      Sound effects of various weapons firing and exploding are heard over the Little Richard song the plays during the closing credits.
    • Alternate versions
      To secure a FSK-18 rating, the German video release is cut in two scenes. The first cut was made at the torture scene not showing a needle stab in the neck of the victim. The second cut was made, where Dolph Lundgren shoots off the arm of a Cuban soldier. Since being removed from the index list in 2011, current German video releases since then are now completely uncensored.
    • Connections
      Edited into Dong fang lao hu (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Jenny, Jenny
      Performed by Little Richard

      Words & Music by Enotris Johnson (as Johnson) & Little Richard (as Penniman)

      Courtesy of Specialty Records

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    FAQ

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 24, 1989 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • South Africa
      • Namibia
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Soviet le Guerrier Rouge
    • Filming locations
      • Namibia
    • Production companies
      • Abramoff Production
      • Scorpion Film Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,192,440
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,972,994
      • Apr 23, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,192,440
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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