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Red Dawn

Red Dawn

Action · Thriller · War · 1984

It is the dawn of World War III. In mid-western America, a group of teenagers band together to defend their town—and their country—from invading Soviet forces.

Movie details

Red Dawn

“In our time, no foreign army has ever occupied American soil. Until now.”

1984 Action · Thriller · War 1h 54m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.3 / 10

Community rating

It is the dawn of World War III. In mid-western America, a group of teenagers band together to defend their town—and their country—from invading Soviet forces.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Red Dawn?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The Kill Team

The Kill Team

War · 2019

When Andrew Briggman — a young soldier in the US Army during the invasion of Afghanistan — witnesses the murderous behavior of fellow soldiers, under the direction of a malevolent Sergeant, he faces a moral dilemma. His increasingly-violent platoon becomes suspicious that someone in their ranks has turned on them, and Andrew begins to fear for his safety. A fictionalized dramatization based on a true story.

Sahara

Sahara

Action · 1995

After the fall of Tobruk in June 1942, U.S. Army sergeant Joe Gunn leads his tank into the Sahara desert, in order to evade advancing Rommel's forces and reach Allied lines. Along the way he picks up few Allied soldiers, but soon they are running out of water. They find water at the ancient well, but the well is a goal of an entire German battalion. Despite the impossible odds, Sergeant Gunn decides to defend the well.

El Gringo

El Gringo

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A man crossing into Mexico with a satchel of $2,000,000—and a bloody past—finds himself under sudden attack in the sleepy town of El Fronteras.

Walking Tall

Walking Tall

Adventure · 2004

A former U.S. soldier returns to his hometown to find it overrun by crime and corruption, which prompts him to clean house.

Thieves Highway

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Walking with the Enemy

Walking with the Enemy

Action · 2014

Regent Horthy is the leader of Hungary and a German ally, but his favorable standing with Hitler changes as the war comes to an end. Forced to cede Hungary’s power or else witness the execution of his son, Regent Horthy gives up control of his country to the Nazis, who quickly move Hungarians to ghettos and death camps, with no hope in sight. But the despair changes when a young man named Elek emerges. Separated from his family during the relocations and aided by the woman he loves , Elek defies the enemy by becoming one of them. In a race against time, disguised as a Nazi Officer he embarks on a mission to save his family and thousands of his countrymen.

Outlaws - For Greater Glory

Outlaws - For Greater Glory

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A chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929), which was touched off by a rebellion against the Mexican government's attempt to secularize the country.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Milius

Written by

Kevin Reynolds · John Milius

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze

Jed

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen

Matt

C. Thomas Howell

C. Thomas Howell

Robert

Lea Thompson

Lea Thompson

Erica

Darren Dalton

Darren Dalton

Daryl

Jennifer Grey

Jennifer Grey

Toni

Powers Boothe

Powers Boothe

Andy

Court is in session

Put Red Dawn on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.