Sgt Clarin: Bullet For Your Head (1990)

1990 – Sgt Clarin: Bullet For Your Head (Regal Films)

[Philippines release date 8th March 1990, original title “Sgt. Clarin: Bala Para Sa Ulo Mo"]

Director Willie Dado Story/Project Coordinator “Stanly”/Stanley Orong Screenplay Leleng Ubaldo Jr Executive Producer Lily [Y.] Monteverde Line Producer Manolo Maglayo Studio Manager/Post-Production In-Charge Warlito M. Teodoro Music Demet Velasquez Cinematography Vic Anao Editor Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao Production Manager Leah Calmarin Sound Effects Bert Santos Sound Supervision Joe Climaco Publicity/Promotions Alfie Lorenzo, Devi Jimenea Production Designer Delfin Pante [Dante?] Assistant Director Leleng M. Ubaldo Jr

Cast Max Laurel (Sgt. Clarin Orestes Ojeda), Monica Herrera, Lola Rodriguez, Ruel Vernal, Charlie Davao, Romy Diaz, Max Alvarado, Ramon “Boy” Bagatsing, Tony Bernal, Rommel Valdez, Alex De Leon, Van De Leon Jr, Von Arenas, Bobby Angeles, Francis Bello, Boy Sanggol Banez, Rex Lapid, Danny Riel, Marcus Aurelio, Naty Santiago, Rudy de la Pena, Raymond Gagatsing III, Cris Aguilar, Max Buaya, "Madjid"/Majid Jadali, Maricris Garcia, Erika Avendano The Lost Command Robert Tally, Brando Navarro, Bert Vivar, Den Montero, Steve Alcarado, Lito Francisco, Eddie Montalban The Rebels Avel Morado, Nayo Morado, Bobby Orio, Eddie de Leon, Lito Artiaga, Randie Santos, Fernando Alfon, Richard Duran The Assassins Sarah Carlos, Erika, Mary-Ann, Cristin, Metia, Beth Castillo, Mary

Fred Adelman’s review from the Critical Condition website:

Another wild Filipino actioner with too many "What The Fuck?!?" moments to process in one viewing. The film opens with a bar fight (what else?), where Danny Clarin (Max Laurel; ROBOWAR - 1988) tries to stop a drunk American from fondling a female dancer on stage. This turns into a melee where Danny has to beat the crap out of three guys (at one point, Danny and a brawny fighter get into a ball-grabbing competition!). Immediately after the fight, Danny is introduced to a military man and he instantly joins the Marines! After a basic training montage (where Danny excels at every task), the film switches to a bunch of guerilla rebels holding an American soldier captive at their base camp (he has two live grenades tied around his neck by a piece of twine while live ants crawl all over his body!). The Marines lay siege to the rebels' camp, with Danny blowing the crap out of anyone and anything in his way, eventually rescuing the American soldier after cleaving the rebel commander's head in two with a sword. After being wounded in battle, Danny is promoted in rank to Sergeant and gets to lead his own platoon. When Danny's brother is killed and his mother is put in the hospital by the goons of a local crimelord, Danny asks for a leave of absence from his superiors, but is turned down because they are on "triple red alert". Seeing that his mother is a basketcase (she witnessed Danny's brother being viciously gunned down), Danny goes AWOL to get his revenge. He is framed for the assassination of the town's mayor, so Danny becomes a one-man hit squad, killing all the crimelord's goons, by crossbow, gunfire and even decapitation before he finally blasts the crimelord to kingdom come. Danny then gets married to his childhood sweetheart Mary (Monica Herrera) and talks his platoon into secretly helping him in ridding the area of the rebels who have been raiding and murdering the people of his and neighboring villages. When the rebels take Danny's entire village hostage and demand that Danny give himself up in trade (or they will kill a hostage every twenty minutes), he has no choice but to turn himself over to the rebels. After being brutally tortured, Danny is rescued by his platoon. They then steal an APC and head towards the rebel's base camp, where Danny throws the rebel leader in a water-filled cage, followed by a two-grenade chaser. The finale finds Danny and his AWOL platoon making a decision to surrender to the Marines. Danny, with the help of new wife Mary, makes a deal to surrender, but a series of miscommunications and unfortunate events leads to the death of Danny's entire platoon and Danny himself (while clutching a baby, no less!) by the Marines. Mary arrives just in time to hear Danny say, "I love you!" one more time before he croaks. Cue the angelic choir (literally).

This off-the-wall Filipino actioner is nothing more than one bloody vignette after another. Every 15 minutes or so, the film switches to a new storyline (some plot points, like the search for hidden gold, are completely dropped without ever being resolved) and a different direction, the only connecting link being Danny and his need to kill someone or blow something apart. The film is bloody as hell, as people are shot in the head, riddled with bullets, stabbed, impaled (one poor rebel is impaled on a long pole and dragged across the ground by Danny) and decapitated (there is a lot of violence to people's heads here). The English dubbing is truly atrocious, the funniest example being that the dubbers changed Danny's last name from "Clarin" to "Clark", totally ignoring the title of the film! This film also has a slight religious subtext to it, as there is a lot of talk of Heaven, Hell and having faith in God, but actor-turned-director Willie Dado (this is his only directorial effort), working with a script by Leleng Ubaldo Jr., has no problem showing scenes of bloody torture (Danny is sliced repeatedly with a knife and then thrown into a stagnant, water-filled cage), horrendous deaths or having a bad guy press a gun to a baby's head. This mindless, gory actioner is a treat for fans of Filipino action cinema and gets my highest recommendation. Grab it if you're lucky enough to locate a copy. If star Max Laurel looks familiar to Filipino movie fans, it's probably because he essayed the title role in ZUMA (1985) and it's sequel ZUMA 2: HELL SERPENT (1987). Also starring Romy Diaz, Lola Rodriguez, Orestes Ojeda, Charlie Davao, Ruel Vernal, Ramon (Boy) Bagatsing, Tony Bernal, Rommel Valdez and Alex DeLeon. Made by popular Filipino production company Regal International, Inc., who were better known for making sex comedies and film parodies with titles like BOBOCOP (1987), STARZAN: SHOUTING STAR OF THE JUNGLE (1989) and GOOSEBUSTER (1991), all directed by Tony Y. Reyes. The print I viewed was sourced from a pretty sharp fullscreen Japanese-subtitled VHS tape. This has not had a legitimate U.S. home video release in any format, but what's so unusual about that? Wake up, America! This is exactly the kind of shit we need to see! Not Rated.

Paul Cooke’s review from the Cinema Nocturna website:

‘‘Prepare the bazooka , we have to neutralise them !’’

Just when you thought it was tedious to go back into the jungle up pops another thunderous gem to pin back your ears and bring a tear of Action lovin’ joy to the eye. Finally regular support star Max Laurel has his opportunity to step up to lead man and in so doing gets to slog a home run winner. It’s guerrilla warfare from those furiously fun Filipino folk as the marines take on the jungle bandits in a gloriously colourful hybrid of the spaghetti western and a World War II flick. Max Laurel gets to play the John Wayne role but in a naturally developed muscle suit that even his pearls of sweat slide off in exasperated awe. Laurel plays the role of Danny Clark, a powerhouse of a local discovered by the marine corps during the opening sequence bar room brawl. Danny displays his brawn in a one sided charge up against some trouble makers, and soon after he signs up as a marine. Now the bad guys really have something to worry about as Danny completes his marine training course with flying colours, and is soon promoted through the ranks.

The films title refers to Sergeant Clarin when in fact there is no Sergeant Clarin as of course the titular hero is in fact Danny , who quickly acquires the rank of Sergeant Clark! A quirky miss-translation then for this Japanese VHS release. Make no mistake though, Max Laurel is most definitely not miss-cast in the lead role. The character could have been written just for him as he plays the part of protagonist perfectly, emitting an aura of tough Action star as if born to the position. Buckle up then fellow mad Max men and madams, it’s time to hit the jungle!

An American business man is held hostage by the guerrilla faction and is regaled by an unwanted pair of hand grenades for earrings. Flesh tearing ants eat away at his upper torso in the hot sun as the terrified dignitary is strung up outdoors in a bamboo cage. Like willow the wisps floating on the breeze Danny and hand chosen men get close enough , without being immediately detected by the enemy , and unload a barrel load of fiery fury. Huts explode and pump action guns spew grenades at intended targets. The guerrilla boss wields a lethal machete at his prisoner, only to be dealt a death blow at the hand of Danny and the would be political incident dies a death all its own before hitting the world news.

A tour of duty has Danny and his men surrounded by the antagonist faction and even though overwhelmed Danny strikes back fast and true. The accuracy of his gun shots to the heads of the militant group is unerring and bloody as the squibs pop like ketchup hitting a naked flame. Danny is shot himself several times before he and his men are victorious, leading to him being raced to a medical facility by helicopter. Here Danny recuperates and upon leaving hospital receives notification from upon high that he is promoted to the rank of sergeant.

The story takes on a whole new dimension and tact from here on in as Danny has to choose between his military career and that of his family’s safety, following an assault upon his home village and family. The jungle bandits prey on the local villages and use the villagers as slave labour, cultivating provisions for them in a one sided deal that leaves the poor folk in constant poverty. Danny is ordered to follow his duty as a soldier and is even refused compassionate leave when his brother is killed and his mother is left seriously unwell with grief. Sergeant Clark has no option but to go AWOL and during his time investigating the tragic events he uncovers a conspiracy that leads to the very door of the local mayor who is in allegiance with the bandits. When even the law refuse to help Danny and his people he has no other choice but to takes matters into his own hands, defiantly uttering the forthright statement, ‘‘If I have to I’ll do what has to be done to seek Justice !’’ John J. Rambo step aside as Danny Clark, man of war, is pissed and he’s about to tear open an aggressive can of retribution that involves just about everyone!

The mayor loses face and is killed so leading to Danny becoming the number one suspect. The leadership falls into the hands of tyranny and Danny becomes a hunted man. In order to bring about justice and prove his innocence sergeant Clark must bring down the new regime and show them for what they truly are. With the help of a handful of men he can trust absolutely Danny forms a band of elitist mercenaries. A group of highly trained fellow soldiers who hide out in the jungle and become soldiers of misfortune against the corrupt hand of the law, and the villainous bandits. A wrecking crew armed to the hilt and prepared to fight to the death.

Stronger than an ox and broader than a charging bull Danny cuts a swathe right through the heart of the jungle scourge and their political allies. Danny alone is responsible for deftly decapitating by machete, lethal take down by single hand held cross bow and deadly accurate with any form of gun he chooses to use in his vigilante cause.

He is spurred on even more when it becomes apparent that the mayor gave the order to murder his brother!

Falling between the crack along the path of righteousness Danny and his loyal men are ordered by their own army to be brought to justice dead or alive. As Danny and his men continue to fight against the despotic jungle guerrillas a fellow army friend fights to get a pardon for his champion of the people, but the message has to be relayed to the front line that is fast closing in on the sergeant and his men. What transpires in the fraught filled exciting battle charged climax is lump in the throat stuff of classic old school matinees. A power house of explosive Action plays out for a long duration that never lets up for a moment. The edge of the seat convergence of battling forces will delight fans of war movies and Action alike. A bloody pallet bleeds across the jungle green as a cast of extras fall by the hundred in a killing field ploughed by once farmers born to arms. This is a big bang, bad boy final payoff up there with the best of them.

Sergeant Danny Clark and his close fighting compatriots are still considered AWOL, and as they fight against the guerrillas their own fellow soldiers fight against them in a crossfire deluge of bullets and incredible firepower. The bodily carnage is fast and furious yet Danny fights to the very end , whilst all around him the battle ground becomes ever more expansive and even more explosive. An Action packed jungle warfare winner. Terrific stuff!

The Black Cobra 2 (1988)

1988 – Cobra Nero 2 (L’Immagine S.r.l.)

[export title “The Black Cobra 2”]

Director “Dan Edwards”/Edoardo Margheriti Producer Luciano Appignani Music Aldo Salvi Song “Stay Baby Stay” Piero Montanari Cinematography Guglielmo Mancori Film Laboratory Luciano Vittorio? Editor Alessandro Lucidi Production Design Joey Luna Art Direction Jojo Magno Costume Design James Price Makeup Artist Gloria Diesta Production Managers Roberto Portoghesi, Sammy Interno First Assistant Director Paul Costello Second Assistant Director Arturo “Boy” Soquerata Property Master Waldo Masconi Sound Assistant Boy Cuenco Sound Engineer Fred Gajudo Boom Man Danny Reyes Special Effects Guy Nealgas Stunt Coordinator “Brando”/Blandino Navarro Camera Operator Adriano Mancori First Assistant Camera Pio Interno Second Assistant Camera Ernie Dela Paz Third Camera Assistant Celso Morante Clapper Loader Edgar Soquerata Production Secretary Angie E. Galang Talent Coordinator Nanding Salcedo Key Grip Luciano Giuseppone Grips Jessie Manalo, Armando Interno Electricians Richard Yap, Ross Davan Location Manager Limbo Lagdameo

Cast Fred Williamson (Lt. Robert 'Bob' Malone), Nicholas Hammond (Lt. Kevin McCall), Emma Hoagland (Peggy Mallory), “Majib”/Majid Jadali (Asad Cabuli), Ned Hourani (Mustapha), Edward Santana (Captain Marton), Kristine Erlandson (Mary McCall), Oscar Daniels (Eddie Mallory), Jonathan Sorenson, Rey Solo, Chantal Manz (Newscaster), Mike Monty (Brennan), Leopoldo Salcedo (Inspector), “Phil”/Philip Gordon (Detective)

Review/Edoardo comment from the Antonio Margheriti website:

Edoardo Margheriti direct his first film with this action movie made exclusively for the foreign market and home Video. It's a sort of a sequel of a different genre of film directed by Stelvio Massi: "The Black Cobra", but in reality "The Black Cobra 2" has in common with his prequel only the title and the leading actor: Fred Williamson, ex Football star who won a Superbowl with the San Francisco 49rs and famous actor - director. Williamson was also a leading, together with Jim Brown, of the film "Take a Hard Ride" (1975) directed by Antonio Margheriti.

The film was produced by Luciano Appignani with l'Immagine Cinematografica, which in 1985 produced also a film by Antonio: "Jungle Raiders". During that film, Luciano was able to appreciate the quality and ability of Edoardo which was the Assistant Director and the Special Effects Supervisor, but also direct a big Second Unit for some action sequences. After that film, Edoardo was hired by Appignani as Line Producer for the thriller: "Fashion Crimes" (La Morte è di Moda - 1987) by Bruno Gaburro.

The following year Luciano Appignani offer to Edoardo the chance to direct his first film: "The Black Cobra 2" which was suppose to be shoot in Sydney, Australia. In fact they start the preproduction in Sydney for over a month, where they also found the other leading actor: Nicholas Hammond, famous to be one of the child in: "Sound of Music" and the leading in two film on the Marvel Superhero:"Spiderman".

Unfortunately, when they were almost ready to start shooting the film, the Australian Unions give them some problems and the Italian Producer decided to suspend the film and recall them back to Italy. Edoardo was forced to prepare all again in the Philippines, where he had a big experience, in few days and to make the film with a shorter budget. The movie, even if shows a good technical direction and fair action sequences, was affected by the shortness of money which can be noticed in the entire production.

Edoardo Margheriti: Like my father with his movies, I do not like this film. Honestly I've made it at my best, doing any kind of sacrifice to make it better, but I've had to face with an unfair budget and a lousy script. The results never satisfied me, even if I've recently receive some compliments from some viewers.

Anyway the movie was very much liked by the foreign sellers and was sold very well all over the world. Especially I remember that Japan and South Korea were enthusiastic, as much that they ask immediately for a sequel, "The Black Cobra 3" also known as "Manila Connection".

The sequel was written and organized so fast that I had no time even to finish editing "Black Cobra 2", travelling to the Philippines immediately after the first cut. Unfortunately, "The Black Cobra 3" was made even worst that the first one, with less money and a story which was even worse. But I was young and I want to work and love to work. With today experience probably I would refuse the job, like I did with other similar project after, or I've simply make it better.

The Secret Of King Mahi's Island (1988)

1988 – The Secret Of King Mahi’s Island (Solar Films International/FLT-Moredel)

[released on Spanish VHS as “El Secreto del Tesoro”]

Director Leonard Hayes, [uncredited] James Gaines Story Concept William Timmerman Screenplay Eric Hahn Additional Screenplay Leonard Hayes, James Gaines Producer Rhoda L. Freemont Executive Producers Rose Loanzon Flaminiano, Delta V. Lazatin, Donald Davidson Music Mon del Rosario Editor Ronald Santillan Cinematography Joe Tutanes Sound Supervision Silvio de Santos Jr, William Light Casting PEC Casting Ltd Production Design Dante Mendoza Art Direction Don T. Menders Production Manager Lydia de Leone Controller/Production Supervisor Jhet Peters Assistant Director Fred Cummings Preproduction Co-ordinator Dana Dalton Production Co-ordination Arleen de Leone Post Production Supervisor Marie Jessamine Lazzare Sound Effects Editor Gilbert de Santos Set Supervisors Tony Bright, Bill Hawkins Property Masters Jon Cajun, Ric Century Wardrobe Masters Oscar Manzano, Randy Grasse Set Dressers Joe Tex, Radji Abdul Anvil Makeup Artists Virgie Miro, Beth Hammond Assistant Film Editors Dan Ford, Edmund Piper, Allan Borge Negative Cutter Hero Kings Stills/Photos Wilmore Barry Titles/Opticals Rudolf Winkler, Ronald Santillon Special Effects Danny Torrente Talent Co-ordinator Edd Saveittsen Schedule Master Chris Monarch Stunt Co-ordinator Ben Romano Stunt Performers Ed Boyce, Dan Bell, Ron Norton Field Soundman Bing de Santos Unit Sound Man Willie Anton Cameramen Julian Zorre, Henry Richards Gaffers George Tutanes, Ace Romulade Lifters Gerry Proud, Anthony Schroeder Clappers Tony Lolla, Steven Frost Grip Men Richard Oppenheimer, Alvin Horace, Tim Reilly Unit Drivers Randolph Goldstein, Leopold Bruce

Cast Gary Daniels (Chuck), Michelle Frankenberger (Leah), Jerry Bailey (Brent), James Gaines (Tony), Tsing Tong Tsai (Kimo), Kurt Otto Frankenberger (Joe), Anthony East (Ben), Michael James Welborn (Marino), Jim Moss (Bo Browning), Avel Morado (Chief), Alan Klem (Matt), Boy Clinton (Boy), Fred Cominos (Fred), Majid Jadali (Erick), William Romero (Black Legs), Tony Ogunsanya (Tatu), Gomez (Chief’s Right Hand Man), Vincent Okeke (Witch Doctor)

Gary Daniels on “Secret…” from his interview on the Nanarland website:

The second film I did was called The Secret of King Mahi's Island which was supposed to be an Indiana Jones style action/adventure film but it did not go so well. The original director quit after about 1 week and Jimmy took over but there were many problems and the film turned out terrible. It is not surprising and I am glad that it never received a wide distribution.

Trident Force (1988)

1988 – Trident Force (Anna Films International)

[Listed on the end credits as “The Ultimate Solution” – possible alternate or working title?]

Director "Richard Smith"/Maria Sarret Story “Joe”/Jose Mari Avellana Screenplay Siegfried Sepulveda, Rosanno Abelardo Executive Producer Alan R. Escano Cinematography Joe Tutanes Music Gabby Castellano Editor Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao Associate Director Rosanno Abelardo Casting Nick Nicholson Production Design Vic Dabao Production Coordinator Norma Adela Gaerlan Production Comptroller Thirdy D. Escano Production Managers Alan Garcia, Siegfried Sepulveda Art Director Rafael Schulz Wardrobe Julie Guzman Wardrobe Assistants Ed Guzman, Joe Panopio Stunt Coordinator Eddie Samonte Routine Instructor Boy Sta. Maria Special Effects Jose Carmona Effects Assistants Mario Carmona Jr, Elmer Lumot, Angel Carmona, Paul Carmona, Emen Picpic 2nd Unit Cameramen Popoy Orense, Rey de Leon, Claro Assistant Cameraman Roy Sangco Property Master Quirino Villanueva Props Assistants Efren Baldezer, Richard Sanchez Post-Production Manager Jay Pineda Assistant Editors Francis Vinarao, Isagani Celis Loopers Jun Vinarao, Edwin Celis Special Sound Effects Rodel Capule Sound Supervision Tony Faustino Music Arranged and Conducted by Domingo Zafe Revolutionary Song performed by Moshen Hassani Layout Artist Vic Delotavo Titles/Optical Effects Ruben Abelardo Opticals Man Boy Quilatan Additional Dialogue Ed Mills, Robert Gaerlan Production Nurse Mercy de Leon Production Secretary Osmen Camps Production Bookkeeper Vicmar Turtal Make-Up Ely Magpali Script Boy Robbie Gaerlan Radio Maintenance Officer Thulskie Orila Production Assistants Jeffrey Gonzales, Poncholo Gaerlan, John Gaerlan, Warren Tiller, Lyle Vorstaken, Johnny Montero Jr, Henry Rivera, Dennis Galang Post-Production Security Tim Hermino, Bam Cate, Rene Villafria Utility Men Jabbar Hilario, Mong Hilario, Michael Reino

Cast Anthony Alonzo (Rashid), Nanna Anderson (Lesley Prentiss), Mark Gil (Ahmed), Steve Rogers (Hawthorn), “Ed”/Eddie M. Gaerlan (Abu Hassad), Ronnie Patterson (Casey), Nick Nicholson (Ox), Willy Schober (Ibrahim Habash), Rafael Schultz (Trident Schulz), Tony Ogumsaya (Trident Robinson), Majid Jadali (Trident Majid), Randy Hrobar (Trident Harel), Jim Moss (Trident Parsons), Tony Lao (Trident Kimura), Gerald Tosco (Trident Dobouis), Carlos Terry (Trident Gomez), Mike Aguas (Trident Aguas), Salah Mahfoudi (Sultan of Quamamesia), Paul Holmes (Israeli Ambassador), Moshen Hassani (Imam), Bahman Borzoo (Ambassador of Jordan), Rebecca Garcia (Human Bomb), Al Alonzo (Rebel Leader 1), Den Montero (Rebel Leader 2), Kristine Erlandson (News Reporter 1), Ingrid Erlandson (News Reporter 2) SAS Officers Mike Monty, Frank Juhaz, Vic Saad Mercs Philip Gordon, Dave Gibberish, Butch Aguas, Miguel Soques, Beth Terry

Email from Nick Nicholson:

“Trident Force!!! Holy Jeebus!!! We did that a long time ago. Our director was Maria Sarret, and our 1st AD was her son Sonny Sarret. ANNA was the acronym for Anthony, Norma, Norma, Alex. Anthony Alonzo (died from AIDS), Norma Gaerlan (if she is still alive she is in Oz someplace), Norma Escano and Alex Escano. Norma and Alex's son Allen Escano owns Road Runner Studio in QC. The Escanos are uber rich! They all come from Cebu and have mining and shipping lines. That was perhaps one of the most bizarre film shoots I have ever been on.

“The Gaerlans are a mixture of Spanish and Indian. Ed is Norma’s uncle, others are brothers, nephews and only God knows what! We ended up without a caterer – Norma, she had some sort of illness that ate her tissue. She was in a wheelchair and a real battle axe.

“It was almost like shooting a movie with the Adams Family! Norma was confined to a wheel chair. She had something like leprosy. It was eating her fingers and toes away. She was a real firecracker though. She made sure all of her relatives were involved so that they could suck every cent out of the production. She needed Anthony in a bad way. He was her Joker Card with the Escanos. To keep him happy, she encouraged her 18 year old nephew to hang out with Anthony (he was a Top Gay!) The kid later complained to me that his asshole had become like a pork rind! I think you get the picture. Every day was filled with conflict! I thought I had actually crossed through the Twilight Zone into another dimension. One day I was getting ready to wrap a bunch of extras and I had their vehicle on standby. Ed wanted to use the vehicle to go to Manila to drop off a crossword puzzle entry for some dumbass contest. The extras would have to have waited for around 4 hours for the damned jeep. I didn't let him use it, so Ed and Norma threw a hissy fit. Anthony tried to threaten me with bodily harm, and I responded by calling him out. He backed down and they spent the rest of the day pouting and whispering evil plans...

“Towards the end of the shoot, Norma and Maria were absolutely at war with each other. We snubbed the wrap party and fled to Manila from Tagaytay.

“A couple of months later something even more disturbing happened. Norma had a maid who had a 4 year old son with her at Norma's house. Also living at the house was another nephew who was a Bakla. The Bakla was wired on crank. One night with a full moon, the Bakla stabbed the little boy 13 times in the neck, nearly decapitating the child. He then stuffed the body under the bed in the maid’s quarters.

“Now get this... Tony Ferrer has a mistress and she is none other than Norma's sister Diana!”

Paul Cooke’s review from the Cinema Nocturna website:

Knee deep in Middle Eastern explosive dung a corps of the British army do an Alamo as they fortify a military holding in a desert terrain. The last day of their duty and it rains rebels with activist intent and a death to the Western culture look in the eye. An American photo journalist is caught up in the battle but she continues to do her job and on more than one occasion gets too close to the front line. Watched over , and repeatedly rescued by a mixed parentage British soldier named Rashid , Lesley Prentice later turns out to be more than a shutter shooter with long legs. This opening sequence is an explosive introduction to ‘Trident Force’ that lasts nigh on twenty minutes before the credits even role! It’s bazookas against berets and a stiff upper lip British attitude with amusing dialogue to go with it , ‘‘Hey boys we got us a camel jockey here’’. The Action is fast and furious though and has more than the odd head shot following a bloody squib throwback to surprise.

Reinforcement arrives in the form of a battle readied fighter helicopter and the on board big gun soon mows down the enemy below. Now that’s the way to begin an Action movie! Things jump about a bit for a while as the headlines tell the tale of worldwide terrorist activity that springs from Malaysia to Moscow. A startling scene involving a sexily black leather clad female motorcyclist hits home the events portrayed across the news reels as her mission ends as a suicide bomber. The Israili ambassadors residence in Beirut is also hit by a killer who coldly slaughters an entire family by gun. All in the name of The Palestinian Revolutionary Legion. A new organisation is called for to address the terrorist situation and Rashid is called upon to undertake the gruelling training camp to be a part of The Trident Force. His British commanding officer, Colonel Hawthorne from the desert operation, reunites with him along with Lesley Prentice who is revealed to be working for the C.I.A.

Boot camp is a bigoted ballywhoo where Rashid’s mixed heritage comes into question and sees him singled out by bullying hick drill instructor Ox , played brilliantly by Filipino resident film regular Nick Nicholson. Their relationship is a turbulent one, but one that by the end of the course turns into mutual respect. The training regime is brutal but teaches the unit commando tactics and techniques, along with bomb disposal skills and rescue scenarios. The course involves the use of real ammunition rounds and overcoming lethal set traps. Only the strongest and best survive to become the proud wearers of the red beret of The Trident Force. It’s a testosterone runaway train of an Action movie that spits bullets and bleeds red berets. The kind of movie you know you expect to be entertained by and it doesn’t let you down.

Gleefully for continued viewing plus points Nick Nicholson’s character Ox decides that he now digs Rashid so much that he wants to take on the mantle of a red beret soldier himself and is honoured into the ranks of the Trident Force. The turkey shoot camp closes up shop and the new elite corps are open for business. Their coinage is wrapped up in a full metal jacket and it’s the terrorists who will pay dearly. Prepare to wear a smile as the ‘B’ movie brilliance here on in is propelled into ballistic overdrive. Terrorist leader Abu Hassad is top of the teams hit list and leader Colonel Hawthorne gives the order to lock and unload! It’s not just the rapid fire smile enducing dialogue that hit’s the funny bone, look out for a groovy rendition of spin the skull with a gloriously tacky pointy arrow that calls upon Allah to pick out a traitor. Honestly ‘Trident Force’ could single handedly have been the inspiration behind Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s puppet parody ‘Team America’. A world delegation conference sees the Trident Force immediately called into action as the terrorist faction gate crash the gathering. They dispense of the threat using their combined commando honed skills and the Eastern activists are dealt with, sending a message to Abu Hassad that the free world has a new policy and its enforcers are called Trident Force. With balls bigger than an elephant with mumps this is low budget Action at its most gregarious and its energy level is infectious. There’s always room to amp up those levels though and when Rashid is sent the head of his brother in a box he snaps. Revenge is a dish best served up by a red beret waiter kitted out in Rambo threads and readied to spill the arterial vino! Prepare for a barn storming conclusion where the bullets fly and bodies bleed, all to the tune of a one man wrecking crew. Majorly explosive stuff, and more carnage than a free day at K.F.C when chicken is off the menu. Yes siree its that ‘Plucking’ good!

Black Fire (1985)

1985 - Black Fire (Silver Star Film Company)

Director Teddy “Page”/Chiu Story James Gaines Screenplay James Gaines, “Ted Page”/Teddy Chiu Producer [uncredited] K.Y. Lim Cinematography [1st Unit] Vittorio Anders [2nd Unit] Arthur Moore Production Design Vic Davis Editor Edgar Vincent Assistant Director Sean Sommers Production Coordinators Robert Cushing, Trevor Boone Special Effects Guy Nelson Field Cashier Dina Meyers Stunts Instructors Ben Rooney, Jerry Bailey Assistant Editors Francis Voight, Isaac Christian Setman Perry Carney Property Master Quad Vincent Make-Up Rina Cabot Sound Mixer Max Fleming Sound Effects Tom Miles

Cast "Ron"/Romano Kristoff, Jim Gaines, Ray Vernal, “Anthony”/J. Antonio Carreon, Charlotte Maine, Jerry Bailey, Dick Ilford, "Dave"/David Light, John Moss, Ralph Johnson, Errol Giberson, “Mars”/Majid Jadali, Fred Collins, Benny Roberts, John Crocker, Bobby Clinton, Ted Robertson, David Scout

Review from the “Return Of The Ninjas” website:

I was in the mood for an old-fashioned, cheap, Vietnam-set actionfest, so I decided to put Teddy Page’s (aka Teddy Chiu’s) BLACK FIRE into my VCR, as the German tape release on the Geiselgasteig video label (which seems to be slightly cut by the way) impresses with a truly cool cover artwork. Never rate a movie by its cover, though, as we all know, as it could be very misleading. In the case of BLACK FIRE, it sure is a bit misleading. BLACK FIRE (produced by K. Y. Lim’s Silver Star Film Company by the way) opens, promisingly enough, in the Philippines jungles that stand in for Vietnam where the prologue takes place. A handful of soldiers kill off a bunch of Vietcongs in various gruesome ways. Necks are broken, bodies are riddled with bullets, knives enter chests, and people are blown to smithereens thanks to Romano Kristoff’s handy arrows with explosive heads.

Romano Kristoff (who also stars in the superior NINJA’S FORCE (1985), NINJA WARRIORS (1985) and DOUBLE EDGE (1986)) is of course Sergeant Frank Johnson and his acting abilities leave a lot to be desired. Jim Gaines as his friend Jim Anderson is not really better, but hey… who am I to complain. Mr. Gaines was a prolific actor in the 1980s, appearing in approximately thirty movies shot in the Philippines. He can be seen in FIREBACK (1978), ENTER THE NINJA (1981), ONE-ARMED EXECUTIONER (1983), BRUCE’S FISTS OF VENGEANCE (1984), AMERICAN NINJA (1985), WAR WITHOUT END (1986), PHANTOM SOLDIERS (1987), MANNIGAN’S FORCE (1988), and DOG TAGS (1988). Besides, he was an extra in Francis Ford Coppola’s seminal APOCALYPSE NOW (1979) and apparently he provided the voice for a character in the English version of the unforgettable Weng Weng masterpiece FOR YOUR HEIGHT ONLY (1981). Apart from that he often worked for Italian cult director Bruno Mattei (who died on May 21, 2007 --- R.I.P. Bruno, and thank you for the wonderful hours I had when watching your movies!), appearing in ROBOWAR - ROBOT DA GUERRA (1988), ANIME PERSE (THE JAIL: A WOMEN’S HELL, 2006) and L’ISOLA DEI MORTI VIVENTI (ISLAND OF THE LIVING DEAD, 2006). Anyway, back to the plot (screenplay by Jim Gaines and Teddy Page, based on a story by Jim Gaines). Before you can say “what would John Rambo do?” Sergeant Johnson’s unit is reduced in numbers until only Frank and Jim are left. When a grenade explodes near him, Frank looses consciousness and has strange flashbacks of his childhood, when he was trained to be a Ninja. In those flashbacks his master feeds him with vital information, like: “You have to be like an arrow that desires to bounce from the string.” Or: “Be like a bamboo cane. Flexible but unbreakable.” I like this one too: “Grasp the situation with your soul, because it sees more than a hundred thousand eyes.” How very true. Then Frank Johnson and Jim Anderson are transferred to San Sebastian and the flick becomes unexciting, rather dire and dull. There is not much happening, and what little does happen is quite uninteresting and unspectacular. At least there’s a show-stopping training sequence that has got to be one of the most hilarious training sequences ever put to celluloid.

So BLACK FIRE drags along more or less until… yes, until all kind of shit happens to Frank Johnson. First Nancy, who promised to get him some information, is brutally killed. Then everybody believes he murdered her (he acts very suspicious, I have to say). Then he is beaten up, hosed down, nearly drowned and put into prison. In other words: Frank Johnson is pushed too far. And you do know what happens if a Vietnam veteran is pushed too far, don’t you? Don’t you??? Captain Salcedo does know it. “Johnson is a maniac! He kills you, me, everyone of us!” The gangster boss is not that impressed. “Who do you think this Johnson is? Rambo?” Frankly speaking, Romano Kristoff is no Sylvester Stallone and Frank Johnson is no John Rambo, but at least he gives it his best shot. The body-count rises dramatically in the last fifteen minutes, thanks to Frank Johnson’s rather big arsenal of weapons. Sadly it’s a long way to the explosive showdown, but it certainly is worth the wait. So even if BLACK FIRE is far from being the Philippines’ best action flick I enjoyed it, particularly the first and the last fifteen minutes. The Ninja (flashback) scenes are hardly worth mentioning though, but it’s always fun to see those Japanese superkillers in a movie. BLACK FIRE takes itself a bit too seriously for my tastes, and so some parts of the action appear to be unintentionally funny, despite the violence on display. There are a few very nice and very dangerous looking stunts, like a guy jumping from a watchtower moments (and I mean moments!) before it explodes. For about half an hour BLACK FIRE is Filipino low-budget action schlock the way I like it… the rest is rather dire stuff, sadly. Still it’s well worth checking out for the cool finale alone, if you ask me. According to some sources on the net, Romano Kristoff holds the black belt in karate and he is currently managing a restaurant in the Philippines. In the early 1980s he appeared in a few Italian productions shot in the Philippines, like Antonio Margheriti’s two cult-favourites L’ULTIMO CACCIATORE (THE LAST HUNTER, 1980) and TORNADO (THE LAST BLOOD, 1983). Other action flicks starring the Spanish-born actor are INTRUSION CAMBODIA (1981), the cheeky Rambo-rip-off SLASH (1984), BRUCE’S FISTS OF VENGEANCE (1984), WARBUS (1985), TRE UOMINI DI FUOCO (THREE MEN ON FIRE, 1986) and JUNGLE RATS (1987). So there’s definitely more Filipino action fodder to look out for…

War Without End (1986)

1986 - War Without End (Silver Star Film Company)

Director “Teddy Page”/Teddy Chiu Story/Screenplay Jim Gaines Producer K.Y. Lim Music “Pat”/Patrick Wales Cinematography “Victor”/Vittorio Anders Editor Edgar Vincent Assistant Director Tommy Thompson Production Design Tommy Truman Art Director Tim Hancock Production Co-ordinators George Chilton, Freddy Cannon Field Cashier John Crocker Stunt Co-ordinator Jerry Bayron Production Secretary Anne Clark Special Effectman Guy Nelson Propsmaster Jessie Charles Wardrobe Master Sheree Brown Key Grip Mitch Ryder Grip Cliff Redd Best Boy Lew Reininger Assistant Editors Bobbi Walker, Jacky Ward, Robert Young Stills Jon Anderson Makeup Barbara Berry Sound Effects Warren Murray Sound Mixer Leon Ware

Cast Robert Mason, Jim Gaines, Nancy K. Lee, Richard King, Dan Dee, Jerry Bayron, Nick Nicholson, Mike Monty, Paul Van, Gerald McCoy, Gerry Tosco, Raymond Wallace, Michael Welborne, Frank “Cambell”/Campbell, “Mark”/Majid Jadali, Henry Light, Bobby Clinton, David Doe

Majid Jadali interview

"Majid Jadali - A Taste Of Showbiz"

Interview with actor Majid Jadali from Durian Jam's blogsite, posted on November 26, 2007

To us, he is our friendly Persian known for his mouthwatering kebabs, biryanis and his other delectable Iranian cuisines with his stall along Rizal street which has become a must-go -to gastronomic destinations in this city. Mr. Majid Jadali is not just the owner/proprietor of his Majid Kebab. He is an accomplished film actor as well with over 70 films (yes seventy!) in his filmography.

Mr. Majid is one of the most sought-after character actors/stunt/bit players during the heyday of Filipino movies in the 1980s when the country was producing more than 200 films per year, he also appeared in foreign productions when the country was still being preferred for shooting locations by cost-conscious international film companies.

He has appeared with several of the country’s finest and popular actors and actresses like Vilma Santos (in Baby Tsina), Dolphy, Richard Gomez, Aga Muhlach, Jean Garcia, Anthony Alonzo, Nida Blanca, Gloria Romero among many others. His stint in foreign productions also gave him the chance to work with international stars like Susan Sarandon, Richard Harris (known for playing Albus Dumbledore in two Harry Potter movies; Chamber of Secrets and Sorcerer’s Stone) , Chuck Norris, Chuck Connors, Lou Ferigno, Nicholas Hammond, Davide Carradine, Linda Blair.

Majid was born 54 years ago in Tehran, Iran. After finishing a compulsory 2-year military training, Majid decided to study civil engineering in the Philippines enrolling at Far Eastern University, however a year after, a revolution jolted his homeland. The Shah of Iran, the country’s monarch was deposed by Islamic fundamentalists led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Majid decided not to return to his country. In 1983 after graduating from FEU, with his country’s future uncertain, Majid decided that he will stay in the Philippines for good.

“Before I left, my country was ruled by a Shah, it was a very westernized country, very much like Europe.” Majid said. “I decided to stay, because its magulo back home, and with that decision my focus now was on how to survive here in the Philippines.

“One day in 1983, a German buddy, who was appearing as a bit player in an international film being shot in Laguna invited him to try out as a bit player. Sensing it as a means to make income, Majid agreed. The German introduced him to film director Teddy Chiu and was given his first screen role; a gangster. “My role was to carry a suitcase full of drugs.” Majid said smiling. Teddy Chiu liked what he saw in Majid and invited him in some of his other productions. “He asked for my number where he could contact me and that’s how I started in the movies.” Majid said.

Majid became an extra and also became a stuntman in many foreign productions and also Filipino movies. “My role at first was contravida, I was a gangster, a Colombian druglord, a rapist, a terrorist, I was really a criminal.” Majid said of his early roles. Among his foreign movies include Missing in Action, Seals 2, Delta Force I, Women of Valor (TV movie) and Blood Chess. However Majid roles progressed in movies like “Trident Team” [actually Trident Force], a Filipino-international venture which starred the late Anthony Alonzo, “I was part of the elite Trident Team,” said Majid.

He also was a supporting actor in Black Cobra 2 with Fred Williamson and Nicholas Hammond (famous for portraying Friedrich Von Trapp in the very famous Sound of Music movie and played Spiderman in the Adventures of Spiderman TV series in the late 70s).

Majid says among the memorable actors he worked with were Chuck Connors (famous for his cowboy roles in the TV series “The Rifleman“), “very friendly, a very nice guy, he recounted. Majid also remembers a fine actress named Susan Sarandon, who shot a World War II made for TV movie Women of Valor. “She is very mabait, very friendly.” One night while he caught Shall We Dance (which stars Ms. Sarandon with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez) he can’t help but recall his movie days with the friendly Ms. Sarandon. Sabi ko “nakasama ko na iyan, nakasama ko na iyan sa pelikula.”

Aside from foreign productions, Majid became involved in many Filipino movies. Where he appeared as stunt man and extras to many films, he acted in films directed by Cirio Santiago, Eddie Garcia, Peque Gallaga, Marilou Diaz-Abaya and the late Eddie Rodriguez.He had roles in Vilma Santos-starrer Alyas Baby Tsina and the Dolphy comedy Nang kinagat ni Adan and Mansanas ni Eba where Majid remembers he played a TV reporter trying to interview a pregnant Dolphy.

In 1989, came his most memorable Tagalog film role in the horror flick Impaktita. “I played the role of Boy Bombay in that movie and was the stunt double for Jean Garcia in her aswang scenes. I remember the death scene where the aswang Jean Garcia was inside a burning house, I was the one inside being her double. I remember that it was very hot, the house was really on fire. Majid remembers working with Richard Gomez, Aga Mulach, Vilma Santos, Dolphy (very mabait), Gloria Romero and the late Nida Blanca. “They were really nice, very friendly people,” said Majid.

According to him, the reason he was able to have many movies was the fact that he was the only foreigner stuntman in the Filipino movie industry at that time. “I was the only foreigner-looking stuntman that’s why I have lots of movies.”“There were many Filipino movies being produced and also there were lots of foreign productions here because it was very cheap to shoot here.” Majid said. I enjoyed my movie career very much. Its lots of fun, you make money and you do not work very hard. And also movie work is not boring especially when you are a supporting actor because you have many projects, you have many roles.

By 1989 Majid saw himself improving as an actor in terms of facing the cameras, working with the dialogue and playing on the right camera angles. His roles were also progressing, he has become a major supporting player, in fact his last film Black Cobra 2 he was already billed in the supporting cast.

During the aftermath of the December 1989 coup d’etat, the government became strict and a moratorium on renting firearms to film companies was implemented, during that time action films temporarily stopped productions for a few months, for Majid it meant a temporary break from movie work.

However in January 8, 1990 while driving to visit his friend in Angeles City. Majid met an accident where he sustained a hipbone fracture and that signaled an end to his film career. Majid’s entrepreneurial survival instinct drove him to totally severe his ties with the movies and focus on his business which is making Pita bread and running his Persian carpet enterprise.

For many years, his friends doggedly urged him to go into food business, “my friends who like my home-cooked kebabs urged me to go into that business. And in 2001, I decided to come here to Davao City, which is the place of my wife Arlene.” Majid said. And the rest is perhaps history, from a small three table stall; Majid Kebab has became a favorite with many Dabawenyos addicted to its tasty Persian kebabs and after a few years Majid has expanded his Kebab eatery into two branches (Rizal, Gaisano Mall).

Tidbits: While eating at Majid’s Kebab at the Rizal street stall, you can gaze at some of his movie pictures which he has posted at the eatery’s nook. You can ask him of his showbiz life and the ever-friendly Majid will not hesitate to tell you of his interesting life as one of the most in-demand character actors/stuntman in the 1980s.