A video shared in another thread had a former SAS trooper mention three movies that influenced his entry into the British military: Wild Geese, Rambo, and Who Dares Wins. I reckon we've all seen and enjoy Rambo. Wild Geese ranks high for me, among the motley crew military action flicks of the 60's and 70's; it fit's nicely between Dirty Dozen and Devil's Brigade, IMO, with Devil's Brigade being my favorite.

I had come across Who Dares Wins, also released as The Final Option, more than a couple times before, but hadn't made the effort to watch it. My Library system didn't have it, and I was hesitant to buy a physical copy without having seen it. After hearing that guy mention it, alongside two others I liked, I figured I'd get a copy. It's a very fun flick. Decent-enough story and acting, topped-off with really fun, decidedly 80's, action. The producer was also involved with Wild Geese, and the raid scenes were supposedly performed by actual SAS troopers. It has that perfect balance of down-to-earth, fairly gritty/realistic action and cheesiness that makes movies of that period so endearing. In my, likely unpopular, opinion, this balance (often imitated, but seldom duplicated) has only been struck in Michael Mann's Miami Vice, in the scope of more modern action flicks.

Who Dares Wins is a very good military action flick, with a pinch of perfect cheese, for those who appreciate such things.

I've watched it a few times, not a bad film at all. In fact, I'm about to sit down for lunch and will watch it on Tubi.

The final assault is said to be a fairly accurate recreation of the Prince’s Gate assault.

I always wondered what Lewis Collins as James Bond would have been like, as he was once considered for the role. I think he would have out “Daniel Craiged” Daniel Craig. He certainly had the physical aspect handled, and real life tough guy. He completed the training for 23 SAS (reserve element of the SAS) after he was 30.

My understanding is that there were two movies by this same title, hence The Final Option was later settled on. So, while I've watched several video clips and interviews of the movie, I have yet to see the entire flick.

Over the last few years I've been bugging the local library to get a copy but, even when budgets were in better shape they didn't seem too keen on buying a copy of an old movie... and like many others, their budget is currently strained.

Sure looks like a good movie from the clips and interviews I've seen.

Ironic that you mention The Wild Geese and Rambo as it's been a couple years since I last watched them both and added them to my library viewing list only last night.

I just recently listened to a couple reviewers review Rambo and gained a greater appreciation for it... and after their comments realized I've only ever watched the edited version on network TV. . Time to fix that.

One thing I wish the movie had more of is the planning of the assault. They touched on it, by showing some of the preparations for the rescue of his wife and child, but there was no such reference to the planning of the final embassy raid.

I liked that aspect of the newer 6 Days movie. They showed the planning, the memory of terrorist faces, the construction of mock-ups, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Windhover:
I always wondered what Lewis Collins as James Bond would have been like, as he was once considered for the role. I think he would have out “Daniel Craiged” Daniel Craig.

Probably would have gone over about as well as Timothy Dalton. Dalton tried to be the serious & gritty Bond before Daniel Craig. Audiences weren't ready for that style of Bond in the 80s and probably the 90s too. After the success of Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, everyone else imitated that more serious style of spy/espionage action film.

6 days was pretty good.

quote:

Originally posted by Windhover:
The final assault is said to be a fairly accurate recreation of the Prince’s Gate assault.

I've always said, it's a really great movie for the last ten minutes.

Love this film. Have on DVD and watch it from time to time.

Great film. Really enjoyed 6 days as well...