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Armed Response

  • 1986
  • R
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
5.1/10
816
YOUR RATING
David Carradine, Lee Van Cleef, and Michael Berryman in Armed Response (1986)
ActionCrimeThriller

One of Tanaka's underlings has stolen a rare statuette that he had planned to use as a peace offering between the local Yakusa and Chinese Tong. He hires two private investigators to exchang... Read allOne of Tanaka's underlings has stolen a rare statuette that he had planned to use as a peace offering between the local Yakusa and Chinese Tong. He hires two private investigators to exchange ransom money to recover the statuette, but the trade goes down bad and Clay Roth is kill... Read allOne of Tanaka's underlings has stolen a rare statuette that he had planned to use as a peace offering between the local Yakusa and Chinese Tong. He hires two private investigators to exchange ransom money to recover the statuette, but the trade goes down bad and Clay Roth is killed. This angers Roth's brothers and father, all combat veterans, and they go after the peo... Read all

  • Director
    • Fred Olen Ray
  • Writers
    • T.L. Lankford
    • Paul Hertzberg
    • Fred Olen Ray
  • Stars
    • David Carradine
    • Lee Van Cleef
    • Mako
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.1/10
    816
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Fred Olen Ray
    • Writers
      • T.L. Lankford
      • Paul Hertzberg
      • Fred Olen Ray
    • Stars
      • David Carradine
      • Lee Van Cleef
      • Mako
    • 21User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos100

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    Top cast34

    Edit
    David Carradine
    David Carradine
    • Jim Roth
    Lee Van Cleef
    Lee Van Cleef
    • Burt Roth
    Mako
    Mako
    • Akira Tanaka
    Lois Hamilton
    Lois Hamilton
    • Sara Roth
    Ross Hagen
    Ross Hagen
    • Cory Thorton
    Brent Huff
    Brent Huff
    • Tommy Roth
    Laurene Landon
    Laurene Landon
    • Deborah
    Dick Miller
    Dick Miller
    • Steve
    Burr DeBenning
    Burr DeBenning
    • Lt. Sanderson
    • (as Burr De Benning)
    Michael Berryman
    Michael Berryman
    • F.C.
    David Goss
    • Clay Roth
    Dah-ve Chodan
    • Lauren Roth
    • (as Dah've Seigler)
    Conan Lee
    Conan Lee
    • Kon Ozu
    Sam Hiona
    • Jackie Hong
    Bob Hevelone
    • Nate
    • (as Bob Hevilon)
    Patrick Culliton
    Patrick Culliton
    • Patrolman
    • (as Pat Culliton)
    Richard Lee-Sung
    Richard Lee-Sung
    • Kenji
    • (as Richard Lee Sung)
    Suzy Stokey
    Suzy Stokey
    • Judy
    • (as Susan Stokey)
    • Director
      • Fred Olen Ray
    • Writers
      • T.L. Lankford
      • Paul Hertzberg
      • Fred Olen Ray
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    5.1816
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    Featured reviews

    lor_

    Okay acion fodder

    My review was written in October 1986 after a screening at UA Twin theater in Manhattan.

    "Armed Response" punches up a mundane action-revenge film plotline with above-par casting and enough style to make the formula work for genre fans L. A.-lensed opus was filmed early this year under the better title "Jade Jungle".

    Instead of his real-life acting clan, David Carradine here is surrounded by a dissimilar dad (Lee Van Cleef) and brothers (Brent Huff, David Goss) in a simple tale out of the "Maltese Falcon" bag. Youngest sibling Goss is a private eye hired with his partner Ross Hagen to retrieve a stolen jade antique for Japanese gangster Mako, who must get the object and save face before a war with the Chinese Tongs breaks out. Greedy Hagen executes several double crosses, with Goss ending up dead and his family now at odds with Mako, who kidnaps Carradine's wife and daughter.

    Papa Van Cleef is an ex-cop and Carradine a war vet plagued with recurring nightmares (weak flashback footage) of Vietnam, so both grab their weaponry and lurch into action. Helped by some effective car stunts and pyrotechnics, plus several allusions for film buffs to catch, pic delivers the action goods.

    For his sixth feature film, director Fred Olen Ray steps up to a bigger budget with some stylish compositions and a few elaborate setpieces. Cast is adequate, overcoming some cory dialog, with Ross Hagen as the double-dealing bad guy making a strong impression resembling the late Gig Young.
    7webstergrayson

    Quick, Fun Action Flick With a Great Cast

    Armed Response is a movie that doesn't exceed one's expectations, never trying to be any more than a typical action film, but does what is expected of it in the best way possible. It's silly, not terribly original, but also entertaining through an trough, just as an action movie ought to be. The movie's terrific B-movie cast help to make this a thoroughly enjoyable experience for action fans.

    The plot focuses on the Roth family, Burt (Lee Van Cleef) and his sons Jim, Clay, and Tommy (David Carradine, David Goss, and Brent Huff), who become targets of mob boss, Akira Tenaka (Mako) after coming into possession of a stolen jade statue. The plot isn't hard to follow,and it is able to hold one's interest despite not being terribly complex or original. The plot is also filled with action it the form of shoot-outs, fist fights, and one terrific car chase. The plot moves along quickly thanks to a fair amount of action and the presence of some great B-movie stars.

    David Carradine makes a great leading man for this sort of movie; his performance is not technically "good" but he is nevertheless enormously appealing in his role. Mako is also good as the movie's villain, but the film's most stand-out cast member is without a doubt B-movie veteran Lee Van Cleef, who is a joy to watch as Carradine's tough, irritable dad who doesn't crap from anybody. His character is undeniably rather clichéd, but he plays the part better than anyone else could.

    Armed Response delivers exactly what it offers, and provides a fun hour and a half for fans of its genre. It doesn't offer anything new or special for those who aren't already fans of the genre, but those who are should find it consistently entertaining.
    5merklekranz

    I don't know why, but I enjoyed it ? ...............

    Anytime a film delivers what it promises, it gets at least a 5 rating from me, and "Armed Response" gives you exactly what you would expect from a low budget action movie. The weak points would be , numerous explosions and gratuitous car crashes, a paper thin plot, finally a shootout in Chinatown with grenades and automatic weapons that goes totally unnoticed by anyone. The strongest point is the fun of seeing David Caradine, Lee Van Cleef, and Michael Berrymen together, and they do not disappoint. Another plus is the musical score, which seems to fit perfectly. Top that off with some lively one liners and you have an entertaining action film. - MERK
    6RoboRabbit89

    A fun b-movie.

    This movie was corny but it's some much fun at the same time. The film definitely get's better after repeated viewing by the way, the story is very simple but I feel for a low budget film sometimes that's best.

    I found this one at a video store back in 2012, I have to admit the first time I watched this I thought it was OK at best, but on repeated viewing it just got better and better. The movie is your average direct to video action fair, but it's fun for what it is.

    Now, on to the action; the action scenes are pretty cool, the explosions are good and the fire fights are fun too. This film is mostly a shoot 'em up type, so they're no real good hand to hand brawls, I mean David Carradine does punch a few guys around but we don't see him use his martial arts.

    The characters are mostly quirky types and the tone is sort of campy but I like that the film knows what it is, and there are funny one liners too.

    Overall a fun campy action b-movie that I really liked.

    I give it a 6/10. Just have fun with this one, you know, have some beers with friends and have a great movie night.
    5fmarkland32

    Delivering the response...

    David Carradine and Lee Van Cleef star as father and son cops who join forces to avenge the murder of their sons/brothers at the hand of the triads who are after a priceless artifact that the hapless family has gotten their hands on. Brent Huff is the ill faded brother who keeps the family proud by being tortured and not caving in. Also is Lois Hamilton the wife of Carradine who also is kidnapped with her and Carradine's daughter in this plot heavy but generally enjoyable guilty pleasure. I haven't seen many movies from Fred Olen Ray but I figure this has to be one of his better features, this one is alone worth watching for the cast. Which include David Carradine, Lee Van Cleef, Mako(As the head mobster) and Michael"Hills Have Eyes" Berryman who are always fun to watch in anything. The movie is fairly predictable and Carradine is obviously a tad too old to jump in and kick ass but Armed Response gives of the unpretentious vibe that makes the response of of general acceptance from the audience.

    * * out of 4-(Fair)

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      On his last night of shooting, David Carradine was upset at the producers about something and refused to leave his trailer. He was drinking while arguing with them, so when he finally agreed to go to the set at 11:00 pm, he was pretty drunk. Fred Open Ray said he had to pick him up fireman's carry style and put him on his mark, saying, "Now, stand there, godammit, and do the scene!" Carradine then kissed him, picked up the Director of Photography and spun him around his head, and then did the scene.
    • Goofs
      The getaway car that F.C. takes is a mid '80s Ford LTD sedan, yet it changes to a late '70s model when he is chased by the police.
    • Quotes

      Deborah Silverstein: You guys packin'?

      Cory Thorton: This ain't my dick I'm playing with.

      Deborah Silverstein: Too bad.

    • Alternate versions
      This title was released uncut in the UK in 2001 after previous BBFC cuts to remove an ear-clap.
    • Connections
      Featured in Screaming in High Heels: The Rise & Fall of the Scream Queen Era (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Over Night Sensation
      Written by Ricky Phillips (as Rick Phillips)

      Performed by Abandon Shame

      Produced by Rainer Portner

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 3, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zakon orožja
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA(Location)
    • Production company
      • Cinetel Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 26m(86 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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