"The Final Option" aka "Who Dares Wins" has been given some lame reviews however, I liked it. It's the story of a peace /anti nuclear protest group that is possibly planning a terrorist attack on American interests.
Captain Peter Skellen (Lewis Collins) is an elite British Special Air Services (SAS) officer who is chosen to go undercover and infiltrate the group. To make him credible to the organization, he is "kicked out" of the SAS for beating on two fellow officers. Leading the terrorists is Frankie Leith (Judy Davis) and Rod (John Duttine). The ease in which Skellen gains the confidence and cozies up Frankie is a little hard to believe. Rod doesn't trust the newcomer.
Anyway, it seems that the group is planning to take over the American Ambassador's residence during a dinner party attended by several dignitaries. They plan to demand the detonation of an atomic device over a military base in Scotland to demonstrate the destructive power of such a device and force world peace on the world.
The group overtakes the Residence and holds the persons inside hostage. Included in the hostages are the American Secretary of State (Richard Widmark) and a high ranking American General, Ira Potter (Robert Webber). Outside, Commander Powell (Edward Woodward) and SAS commander Col. Hadley (Tony Doyle) prepare to rescue the hostages. Negotiations between Powell and Frankie are initiated.
Meanwhile, Skellen' wife Jenny and their young daughter are taken hostage nad held by a group led by the villainous Helga (Ingrid Pitt). Preparations are made to rescue them. Back at the Residence, Skellen manages to get a message out to the outside. In the best part of the movie, the SAS stages a spectacular rescue mission to free the hostages while a separate group rescues Skellen's wife and child but not before a cat fight between Jenny and Helga. With only one dignitary killed, the operation is a success.
Lewis Collins was once touted as the next James Bond. I think he would have been a good choice based on his performance. here. Judy Davis steals the picture as the stern female militant leader. Some of the so-called names such as Richard Widmark, Edward Woodward and Robert Webber are not given enough to do but do their best within limited roles.
A better than average BOMB.
Captain Peter Skellen (Lewis Collins) is an elite British Special Air Services (SAS) officer who is chosen to go undercover and infiltrate the group. To make him credible to the organization, he is "kicked out" of the SAS for beating on two fellow officers. Leading the terrorists is Frankie Leith (Judy Davis) and Rod (John Duttine). The ease in which Skellen gains the confidence and cozies up Frankie is a little hard to believe. Rod doesn't trust the newcomer.
Anyway, it seems that the group is planning to take over the American Ambassador's residence during a dinner party attended by several dignitaries. They plan to demand the detonation of an atomic device over a military base in Scotland to demonstrate the destructive power of such a device and force world peace on the world.
The group overtakes the Residence and holds the persons inside hostage. Included in the hostages are the American Secretary of State (Richard Widmark) and a high ranking American General, Ira Potter (Robert Webber). Outside, Commander Powell (Edward Woodward) and SAS commander Col. Hadley (Tony Doyle) prepare to rescue the hostages. Negotiations between Powell and Frankie are initiated.
Meanwhile, Skellen' wife Jenny and their young daughter are taken hostage nad held by a group led by the villainous Helga (Ingrid Pitt). Preparations are made to rescue them. Back at the Residence, Skellen manages to get a message out to the outside. In the best part of the movie, the SAS stages a spectacular rescue mission to free the hostages while a separate group rescues Skellen's wife and child but not before a cat fight between Jenny and Helga. With only one dignitary killed, the operation is a success.
Lewis Collins was once touted as the next James Bond. I think he would have been a good choice based on his performance. here. Judy Davis steals the picture as the stern female militant leader. Some of the so-called names such as Richard Widmark, Edward Woodward and Robert Webber are not given enough to do but do their best within limited roles.
A better than average BOMB.