Death Before Dishonor (1987)

An artistic foretelling of things to come

I gave this movie 5 stars because of its natural depiction of real events. This movie uses license to some degree but considering the nature of this topic and the sensitivity of its content it's as relevant today as it was in 1987. Based on real events as they happened similar to Heartbreak Ridge with Clint Eastwood and Delta Force with Chuck Norris it foretells future events before they happened. That's the serious side. However, if your looking for an entertaining movie to watch Fred Dryer delivers. Where this film might ebb in parts it corrects itself by its depiction of real and topical situations. May 21, 2008

Terrorists?

I fell in love with this movie over 20 years ago. After finally finding it, I watched it again for the "First Time". A "MUST SEE" if you love your country and the military. It's not just amazing how it relates to the world today, better yet it gives you something to think about! The name of the movie is also a very great "Motto". You just have to see it for yourself. July 22, 2007

Where have I seen this all before... and after?

Ah, nothin' like an 80s-era U.S.-military-kickin'-some-Mid-East-Terrorist-butt actioner brimful of patriotic symbolism set to a military-marching-band-fanfare soundtrack to keep me entertained for an hour and a half. Ya got Fred Dryer leadin' the way as a cross between Clint Eastwood's `Gunny' Highway from `Heartbreak Ridge' and Rambo-- though a lot closer to the former than the latter, and not quite having the acting ability of either. Then there's the whole hero-and-a-few-allies-storming-the-compound-where-the-hero's-C.O.-is-being-held-hostage bit that makes up the climax, and would be seen again & done a little better in `The Delta Force' and `Rambo III'. And if that wasn't enough, there's the usual array of implausible and gravity-defying action scenes. Like for example the chase scene that culminates in a manner that is fleetingly reminiscent of the almost-as-silly climactic tank-vs-doom-chopper showdown in `Rambo III'. Or the hero and his troops sneaking into the terrorist compound on an open desert where there is almost no cover to be seen... in broad daylight!

On the upside, they made a token effort to ground the movie in reality, if only remotely so. A couple of the good guys do get killed, though not quite as many as the bad guys. Then there's the `blood-pinning' initiation ceremony for a couple new Marines that would become a real-life scandal in the press over a decade later. Also of note is the suicide car-bombing of the U.S. Embassy scene, reflecting the kinds of terrorist bombings goin' `round in the Middle East at the time, and are still happening to this day. Speakin' of the embassy-bombing scene: this is one of the few flicks where a character played by the late Paul Winfield (he's the U.S. ambassador here) actually survives all the way through the film! Talk about breaking character, hmm? Heh...

Anyhoo, if you're into such 1980s kick-@$$ actioners as `The Delta Force' or the `Rambo' trilogy, `Death Before Dishonor' is worth at least a rental-- if only to see Fred Dryer play a role other than 'Hunter'...

`Late July 9, 2004

Great Movie

I enjoyed this movie very much. the acting was strong and to the point at all times. The scene where SGT Ramirez is tortured and killed looks so damn real, i mean the make-up job is fantastic. This is really a great movie and i recommend it to anybody who likes a good action flick. Also a great score aswell November 24, 2001

Excellent action movie.

Terrorists kidnapped his boss so it is up to Fred Dryer to rescue him. Excellent action sequences as this one is directed by Terry Leonard (stunt co-ordinator in many action movies). The lovely Joanna Pacula co-star as a journalist. After the Sep 11 event, watching movie about heroes kicking terrorists is a nice relief. It is great to see this B title appear on DVD. The picture and sound is quite nice. Worth getting it. October 11, 2001

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