Search and Destroy (1981)
The hunter becomes the prey as a Vietnam veteran (Perry King) tries to ferret out the real culprit after being tagged as the prime suspect in the murders of his former Army pals.
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Overrated and overhyped
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
The acting in this movie is really good.
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
1968, Saigon: An elite group of army soldiers leave their Vietnamese political officer guide Nguyen (well played by Park Jong Soo) behind after they get ambushed by the Vietcong. Ten years later the embittered Nguyen tracks down and kills the various squad members. Among the targets of Nguyen's lethal wrath are tough take-charge former leader Kip Moore (an excellent performance by Perry King) and his rowdy, rugged best pal Buddy Grant (a typically fine and robust Don Stroud). Capably directed in a mean'n'lean straightforward style by William Fruet, with polished cinematography by Rene Verzier, a steady, snappy pace, several rousing action scenes (a protracted martial arts fight between Buddy and Nguyen rates as the definite stirring highlight), a driving, pounding, throbbing hard-rock score by FM, gorgeous Canadian locations (the Niagara Falls looks absolutely breathtaking), engaging main characters, a harrowing climactic cat and mouse chase on the streets of a crowded city, and nice supporting turns by Tisa Farrow as Kip's concerned girlfriend Kate Barchel, George Kennedy as no-nonsense detective Anthony Fusqua, and Tony Sheer as Fusqua's jerky partner Frank Malone, this bang-up little sleeper overall makes the grade as a solid and satisfying revenge action winner.
Search And Destroy was one of the first "post Vietnam vet" movies, and was one of the best. It wasn't about a super-human green beret who can kick everyone's butt, but rather a story of revenge. The music in the movie, especially the end title sequence is nothing short of great. Perry King was excellent in the film, and I followed all of Don Stroud's movies afterward to see if he did anything 'martial art' after. The movie is suspenseful, with a villain who will stop at nothing until everyone dies, and really brings out the primal feelings in keeping yourself and those you love around you, alive. This was one of my top movies from the 1970's.\classicalloy