JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Dogs of War (1981) - Trailer Included
The Psychology of Corporate Combat
DVD Cover
Writer:Fredrick Forsythe and Gary Devore
Starring:Christopher Walken, Tom Berenger, Paul Freeman, JoBeth Williams, Ed O Neil, Shane Rimmer
“In my jungle, you'd be just another asshole.” – Jamie Shannon
Mercenary soldiers, private armies hired by governments and corporations to unofficially obtain foreign objectives, usually financial. Since nations first went into battle and a few highly trained individuals found they had a gift for sanctioned murder, independently funded warriors have been used to do obtain military objectives through covert operations.
Inserting new regimes, staging coups in a quest for wealth in a region, right now there are 1000’s of these killers for hire in Iraq, ensuring big businesses will is done while the U.S hands remain clean of bureaucracy.
The Dogs of War takes place in an era when US corporate interests were focused on South Africa. Jamie Shannon (Christopher Walken) is a top level operative, freelance his reputation for precise military tactics soon sees an employer hire him to observe the stability of a vicious dictator who has taken over in a land rich with natural resources.
Posing as an ornithologist, he goes through customs where the corrupt system takes its cut. The country is in civil unrest, a police state and as Jamie continues recon of the countryside and the state of play, the mortal danger he is in becomes immediate.
“What happened to us just providing tactical and logistical support?” - Drew
Escaping the borders and making it back stateside with his information, physically beaten and emotionally scarred Shannon attempts to escape his trade of terror and settle down. Conspiring against him are the forces of violence and greed that govern our world and soon he must assemble a crack troop and return to Africa to finish the job.
Are you lookin at me, am I an outsider to you?
John Doe says:
An exciting, tense character drama that is rich in detail and engrosses in its observations on the nature and will of the pawns of combat and their faceless masters. Operating in a violent reality Director John Irving (City of Industry, Hamburger Hill, Shiner) makes sure that the action resonates because of the authentic atmosphere.
Valuing the economic dialogue and allowing for naturalistic performances, the plot is organic and is well researched to echo truth.
The technological weapons of destruction are treated with a visual diligence that doesn’t glamourize but awes with powerful, explosive annihilation, highlighting the importance of hardware when going against third world nations.
Seldom getting bogged down in its message the story itself is a thrilling tale of adventure in an alien land. The cinematography is urgent and when things go bang it is in scorching apocalyptic reds and yellows.
Christopher Walken (King Of New york, The Funeral, The Addiction, Dead Zone, Brainstorm, At Close Range, Things To Do In Denver When your Dead) had already completed his Michael Cimino double of The Deer Hunter and Heaven’s Gate when this intense part appeared. Focused and determined as an intelligent loner this portrayal sweats a serious mood, while his feline body language sells a confidence that makes you believe Walken really lived this existence in a previous life.
Supported ably from all sides with a rousing score to drive it along, this is action and mayhem with a thoughtful tone that isn’t simply anti war but operates from a cultural reference point often ignored in cinema and makes a statement about the mind of a mercenary.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/2.0 Dolby Digital
Extras: Trailer
See the exciting trailer below:
Horrorphile
Did Walken's hair get Oscar nominated ...? lol
Did he shave his chest?? There's not a single hair on it!! lol
Film & TV on DVD
Didn't notice the lack of body hair, maybe he was training for the Tour De France.
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
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Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
I love Christopher Walken and can do a fair imitation of his speaking style..this one looks like it has plenty of good lines in it!
"...so he put it --in the only place he knew was safe--up his ass."
Film & TV on DVD
Aerodynamic swimmers and KY Jelly still aren't as slick as Walken...
Dogs of War is an important film, one of Chris Walkens early defining roles and like Brainstorm sees him discovering his own eccentricities on camera.
Great to see you as always...
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.