About Red Dawn (HBO)

"Red Dawn," directed by John Milius and released in 1984, is an American action war film. The plot centres on a group of high school students who call themselves "the Wolverines" and protect their small hometown from an invasion by Soviet and Cuban soldiers. The movie showcases their struggle and determination to gain freedom and independence again.

Making / Production

The film, written by Kevin Reynolds and John Milius, was originated by MGM/UA Entertainment Company. The bulk of the filming took place in Las Vegas, New Mexico. At it's time, it was considered the most violent film by the Guinness World Records, setting a record for depicting 134 acts of violence per hour.

Actors

• Patrick Swayze as Jed Eckert: Swayze brilliantly portrayed the role of a high school football player who becomes the de facto leader of the group.
• C. Thomas Howell as Robert Morris: Howell played a more introverted and sensitive member of the group who gradually becomes a hardened fighter.
• Lea Thompson as Erica Mason: Thompson gave justice to her character, one of the captured girls who later join the Wolverines and assists in their fight.
• Charlie Sheen as Matt Eckert: Sheen played the role of Jed's lesser experienced younger brother who matures throughout the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was the first ever to be released with a PG-13 rating.
• Not all of the actors knew how to handle guns, so they had to go through a mini bootcamp before filming.
• The town's scenic beauty depicted in the movie is actually Las Vegas, New Mexico, not Colorado.

Awards

The film earned a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at Japan Academy Prize.

Quotes

• "Boys, avenge me!" - Jed
• "Wolverines!" - Group's battle cry
• "In this country, when the sun goes down, and I sit on the old broken-down river pier, I think. I see all their faces." - Erica

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Basil Poledouris.
• Moody blues performed the main title song "The Morning After".
• "None But The Brave" by Bruce Springsteen, played over the ending credits.