Let's Get Harry

The cast and the plot outline suggested an action-packed thriller. Instead, through a lack of intelligence, or just laziness, we get a cartoon,filled with irksome inconsistencies...examples-they're captured and thrown in a hellhole prison, but manage to keep coke, cigarette lighters a large,fresh cigar and wardrobe changes, for later use. with no obvious bulges in their pockets, or travel gear of any kind, they find seemingly endless ammo clips They are able to survive without water(no canteens), and constantly endanger the mission with meaningless tantrums. Finally,successfully, they return home in triumph to be greeted by a bunch of people we've never seen before, or merely in passing. Lives were lost,but no one seems to care or remember.

Even for me, a waste of time.

In Columbia two Americans get kidnapped. One is the US ambassador and the other a plumber named Harry Burck ( Mark Harmon ) from a small town in Illinois. They are kidnapped by a drug-lord who wants some of his men released from a US jail. Harry's friends go to Washington to try and get the government to do something about it. They are stone-walled. Desperate they hire a mercenary ( Robert Duvall ) and head for Columbia to Harry's rescue! Daft idea huh? Yep. But our brave American heroes are determined to save their friend! It could have been a nice action-movie, but it's pretty bad acted and executed. Most actors are sleepwalking. Only Duvall and Gary Busey give slightly inspired performances. Can't really blame the actors though for this is terribly bad written with no logic or interesting dialog at all. Waste of time I'd say.

Let's Get Harry is an excellent action movie, as far as low-budget, throwaway action movies go. Don't expect state-of-the-art special effects, a deep and meaningful plot, or Oscar-winning performances by any of the stars (however, it should be noted that Gary Busey, arguably, gives one of his best performances). What you will find, however, is a movie that will entertain fans of the genre for 102 minutes. Basically, it is a Charles Bronson movie without Charles Bronson. As for racial insensitivity, anyone that finds insensitivity within this movie is not a true fan of the genre and probably ought to stay away from action movies in general, as any movie where white people aren't being slaughtered is offensive to them. The purpose of Let's Get Harry is to entertain, not to provide thought-provoking insight into US/Colombian relations.

I was Robert Duvall's character coach or model in Harry. He attended my training camp in Alabama in September 1985 before going on down to Vera Cruz Mexico for the location filming.

The major problem with the film was the director(s) and the editing. The actual script wasn't bad. One director quit, and the finishing director cut so much from the film that Duvall tried to keep it from being released, and the director ended up having his own name removed from the film and "Alan Smithee" (a name used to protect the guilty) credited as director.

Virtually all of the training scenes were cut where the plumbers become commandos, and the character development went with it.

Duvall wanted to make a good movie. The script called for his character to give a dying speech after getting shot. When he and I went over the scene, I told him after getting hit the way he was supposed to, he wouldn't be able to say anything. He played it that way.

When I finally saw the film, I was surprised to discover that not only had Duvall followed my advice on how to dress, etc., but that he had adopted my own personal mannerisms and way of talking. He never said anything about doing that.

I was disappointed in the final release, even more than most viewers. I know what's missing.

Frank Camper

Mark Harmon, Gary Busey and the great Robert Duvall all give fine performances in this film. It is a good action flick that keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you cheer for the good guys and the red white and blue. There are so many what you could call hidden "subliminal" messages in this film. There is a message in this film about the power of friendship, these men are willing to risk their lives to save their friend. This film sort of reminds us of people left behind like POWs in Vietnam. I like the fact the bad guy in this film is a scummy drug dealer who gets it in the end. Drug dealers are scum and murderers to me, they need to be wiped out! Gary Busey has been trashed enough for what he has done in his personal life, that is irrelevant. He is a fine actor who does good work. He is really funny in this film and steals the show. Robert Duvall is a GIANT in his field. This man was even in the Guiness Book of World Records as one of the most versatile actors of all time, he can play any role and play it well you would not even recognize him in one role from another. I really loved Saving Silverman because the message in the film was about friendship, the question HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO HELP A FRIEND???What a wonderful message! This film asks it as well. The blood and guts and shooting and explosions will keep you awake and on the edge of your seat, but the message will make you think after the credits are over. This film came out soon after Rambo: First Blood Part II did. It was when the country was experiencing a wave of patriotism. People realized they treated the Vietnam vets badly when they came home. They spit on them and called them baby killers. It was a horrible time for our country and we realized our wrongs at last. This film brings the message home that we must never do it again. Lets Get Harry won't be considered a classic film, but it is well worth your while to watch it.