Director “Dan Edwards”/Edoardo Margheriti Producer Luciano Appignani Music Aldo Salvi Song “Stay Baby Stay” Piero MontanariCinematography 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)
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 byStelvio 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 aSuperbowl 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.
1989 - The Siege Of Firebase Gloria(Eastern Film Management Corporation)
Director Brian Trenchard-Smith Writers William Nagle, Tony Johnston Additional Dialogue Brian Trenchard-Smith, R. Lee Ermey Producers Rod S.M. Confesor, Howard Grigsby Executive Producers Antony I. Ginnane, Marilyn G. Ong Associate Producers Ana Maria Dans, Mike Fuller Music Paul “Shutze”/Schutze Cinematography Kevan Lind Editor Andrew Prowse Production Design Toto Castillo Art Direction Armando Raysag Prosthetics Makeup Artist Cecille Baun Hair Stylists Francis Ferrer, Rodrigo Perez, Melvin Delos Santos, Edgardo Viniegas Production Manager Jessie Cuneta Second Assistant DirectorJo Ann Cabalda-Banaga Third Assistant Director Tony Collamat First Assistant Directors Ricardo De Guzman, Timmy Herrera Second Unit Director Andrew Prowse Set Dressers Edel Angeles, Ernesto Bayona, Dante Bonifacio, Gamie Bulatao, Boy Cartalla, Danilo Celedonio, Eddie Falogme, Mario Gravo, Carlos Medniola, Rex Masigla Scenic Painters Boy Araojo, Ernesto Arteza, Noel Importante, Rod Villanueva Propsmen Rikki Daquil, Doods Gonzalez, John Hernandez, Lito Munoz, Alex Ochoa Assistant Set Dresser Edgardo Mariano Assistant Property Master Nestor Mendiola Property Master Al Mercer Construction Supervisor Rudy Oledan Head Set Dresser Willi Pleras Sound: Main Unit Don Connolly Sound: Second Unit Pedro Nicholas, Victor Bea Sound Editors Karin Whittington, Phil Dickson Sound Assistants Sally Fitzpatrick, Rick Lisle, Basia Ozerski, Nicki Roller Foley Assistants Ashley Grenville, John Patterson Sound Re-Recording Mixer Phil Judd Foley Recordist Angus Robertson Foley Editor Penn Robinson Boom Operator: Main Unit Joe Spinelli Sound Editor Pete Townend Boom Operator: Second Unit Gener Viray Special Effects Supervisor Danny Dominguez Special Effects Assistants Jackie Celestino, Lorenzo Demillo, Reynaldo Espinosa, Gilbert Goltiano, Reynaldo Menge, Roland Mercado, Philip Regala, Rolando Salem, Raymundo Torrente Opticals Roger Cowland, Ken Phelan Stunt Co-Ordinator Eddie Nicart Production Assistant Rolando Akim Wardrobe Ramon Alonzo Best Boy Boboy Balicas Cinematography: Second Unit Joe Batac Assistant Production Controller Gigi Belen Accountant Giselle Bobiles Field Cashier Merlyn Bravo Administrative Assistant Resie Carlos Head Electrician Johnny Cecogo Script Supervisor Shamaine Centenera Assistant Editor [Australia] Dany Cooper Military Liason Sgt. Mauro Cortez Script Supervisor Tess Crisostomo Assistant Grip Angelo De Guzman Transportation Captain Danny De Leon Liason: Negative Cutting Services Marilyn Delaney Chief Armorer Cesar Dominguez Third Wardrobe Assistant Rolando Duigan Wigwam Efren Anuat, Jun Fernandez, Juanito Madalang Armorers Armando Canlas, Diosdado Figueroa, Aurelio Munoz, Renato Nucup Assistant Editors: Australia Paula Lourie, Jane Moran Assistant Editors: Philippines Rey Lapid, Boy Gloria, Ferdie Salvador Location Manager Cenon Gonzalez Laboratory Liason: PIA Rick Hawthorne Wardrobe Assistant Fidel Javier Production Liason Lope V. Juban Legman Max Laurente, Danny Nazareth Head Craft Service Rey Ranigo Craft Service Assistants Ivan Edano, Isidro Manalo, Alfredo Margallo, Rolly Mesina Camera Loader Freddie Medes Second Wardrobe Assistant Boyet Medina Opticals Alan Morley Field Cashier Boyet Munoz Lifter/Clapper Artemio Ongleo Camera Operator Bobby Ongleo Head Grip Rufo Orita Laboratory Liason: Colorfilm Richard Piorkowski Colour Grader John Pulford Still Photographer Roger Robles Script Supervisor Pinky Romero Production Nurse Leny Sacop Focus Puller: Panaflex Camera Caloy Salcedo Assistant Electrician Délio Santos Production Assistant Joseph Santos Best Boy Jesus Sauro Second Assistant Editor Shawn Seet Laundryman Apolinario Serrano Casting: USA Eliza Simons, Rosemary Welden Casting: Philippines Nick Nicholson Assistant Camera Jaime Delos Tricos Production Controller Tracy Tuason Financial Controller Eylonia Villaroman Tailor Bert Yamballa Purchaser Charlie Yuzon Production Secretary Cecille Zapata
Cast Wings Hauser (Cpl. Joseph L. 'Nard' DiNardo), R. Lee Ermey (Sgt. Maj. Bill Hafner /Narrator), Robert Arevalo (NVA Col. Cao Van), Mark Neely (Pvt. Murphy), Gary Hershberger (Capt. A.J. 'Bugs' Moran), Clyde R. Jones (Pvt. 'Shortwave' Coates), Margi Gerard (Capt. Kathy Flanagan, MD), Richard Kuhlman (Ghost), John Calvin (Capt. Williams), Albert Popwell (1st Sgt. Jones), Michael Cruz (Vietnamese Child), Erich Hauser (Spider), Guel Romero (Hauk), Donald Wilson (Patrol Member), Nick Nicholson (Combat Photographer), Ray Cerdena (NVA Lt. Duc Van), Val Victa (Thien), Dan Austin (Dead Eye, Door Gunner), David Anderson (Co-Pilot), Warren Dickson (Crew Chief), Benny Collins (Door Gunner), Greg Walsh (Pilot), Henry “Strakowski”/Strzalkowski (Pilot) Soldiers Mike Soquez, Raffy Soques, Don Holtz, Chris Albert, Philip Gordon, Mark Miller, Warren Tiller, Chris Castillejo, Mark Calvo, Randy Knudson, Sonny Bee, Femi Oladipupo, Mike Wonders, Ben Uri, Dennis Chuks, Albert Bronski, “Sanjay”/Banjay Oges, Gerard Danlon, Thomas Brazze, Mike Wilson, Chika Chikason, Greg Jones, Mike Silva, Simon Finch Nurses Leila Johnson, "Christine"/Kristine Erlandson, Wendy Stone
"Filming a Movie in a War Zone…" by Brian Trenchard-Smith
Film makers are passionate obsessive folk, often oblivious to the perils of shooting in foreign parts. We are driven by the belief that each project is the Holy Grail. Let nothing stand in your way, is the mantra. In 1988 I was being taken to survey a location two hour’s drive out of Manila for my Vietnam war movie THE SIEGE OF FIREBASE GLORIA, accompanied by First AD Carding Guzman, and Production Designer Toto Castillo.
We passed a guard tower at a cross roads, its elevated platform cocooned in netting, conjuring the image of a robot bee-keeper.
“What’s the net for?” I asked.
“Grenades, sir.” was the deadpan reply from our driver.
Yes, of course. In 1988, the Philippines was still in the grip of two insurgencies, an Islamic one in the South, and the communist New People’s Army(NPA) on the main island of Luzon where we were. So an hour‘s drive out ofManila we were already crossing the perceived border beyond which lay NPA contested territory, and we had an hour’s driving to go.
“Don’t worry about the NPA, sir, they are the Good People.”
I mistook this for character evaluation. In fact it was an item in all Philippino movie budgets at the time. Ostensibly, it referred to security staff for locations outside Manila. Indeed, who better to protect you from the NPA than the NPA themselves? I was told that they were better than the Philippino military. They did not get drunk, or bring their cousins demanding they get paid as well.
We arrived on a hill with a good view of surrounding countryside, an ideal choice for the firebase. We discussed the lay-out of the defensive perimeter and bunkers while awaiting the arrival of the NPA representatives. A pick-up truck approached and parked. Two armed men with bandanas round their faces got out. Apart from a moment of frisson at the sight of a real loaded gun ( I was unaware at that point that two of my three Philippino companions were also armed.) I did not feel I had anything to fear. I trusted the judgment of my Philippino crew. And indeed, cordial conversation in Tagalog took place, a deal was made, and the NPA were on their way again. We would pay $5000 for each month of our stay in their territory. They would protect us, ensure that local bandits did not strip our firebase set each night, etc. They even volunteered to be in our battle scenes, and bring their own rifles. They had Armorlites, we needed AK 47’s which were in abundance in Manila. The well trained Viet Cong women you see in some battle scenes are NPA.
Their only stipulation was this - when we brought in the Philippino Army helicopter gunships for the strafing and bombing scenes, we would give the NPA notice so they could make themselves scarce. The Army were grateful for this too. They did not want an unnecessary fight either.This was indicative of a level of popular support for the NPA, purported champions of the poor in the Philippines, where social inequality had reached obscene levels.
Although we were a little late in paying one month, the NPA honored their deal throughout. During a tough night shoot I wandered away from the lights of the set, so I could gaze at the brilliant stars in the sky, and recover some inspiration. One ofthe NPA security people at our perimeter told me not to go any further.
“But you’re the Good People,” I said.
“There are good Good People, and there are bad Good People, particularly at night,” he replied in good English, “best stay back.”
OK. Got It.
But I do not think that I really Got It till the night we were relaxing having dinner in the only American style bar in the tiny town of Pagsanhan ( where a lot of APOCALYPSE NOW was shot). At the only street lit section, this bar was right next door to the police station. 20 yards walk from door to door. The Police Chief entered the bar. He wore a side arm, a sub machinegun hung from a strap around his neck, ammunition pouches and grenadesdangled from his belt. All this firepower to go 20 yards!! Grenades! Was everywhere outside of the walls of the police station a free fire zone?
“What are you doing in the Philippines?” they demanded.
“ I’m making a movie!” tried Clyde, with the biggest shit-eating grin he could muster. “
“What do you do?”
Clyde felt confident in his reply. “ I’m an actor.”
One cop snorted and turned to the other officer. “ An actor? Shoot him!”
For a few heart pounding seconds Clyde really thought they meant it. Two liquored up cops, thousands of miles from the US, in a town with three street lamps…who would ever know what really happened to him? At that moment life in Detroit was looking pretty good to Clyde. Then they roared with laughter, and let him go. Clyde Jones, being the ballsy guy he is, did not catch the next plane home, but continued giving a great performance and dodging pyrotechnics till we were done. Incidentally, our chief pyro guy Danny “ Boom Boom” Dominguez, as he was known locally, told me that we ultimately let off more explosions than HAMBURGER HILL!
When the army helicopters were scheduled for the strafing and bombing sequences, we duly informed the NPA, who duly melted back into the jungle. But the helicopters were 5 hours late. The Captain in charge apologized. They had been on a mission against the NPA 100 miles north.
“We will now change to blank ammunition.” he said.
“Excellent idea!” I quipped. The army guys laughed. But my quip masked a sharp twinge of guilt and sorrow. We were doing simulated war, while further north people were dying in real war, people who were compatriots perhaps of the local NPA who had treated us well. When they might easily have held us to ransom.
This strengthened my resolve to maintain the underlying theme of the movie, that wars are fought by brave dutiful people on BOTH SIDES. I had to fight the distributor on this issue who felt this point of view was “unpatriotic”. But enough evenhandedness remains in the picture, which has become a favorite of a lot of Vietnam vets. Check out their postings on IMDB. It’s a mystery to me why MGM does not bring it out on DVD. The entire US Marine Corps, to whom R. Lee Ermey is a god, would buy copies. One fan even started an on-line petition to MGM . As yet, no response.
Back in Manila one night I staged the 1968 Tet offensive attack on the US Saigon Embassy, at a run down Foreign Businessmen’s Club, a passablematch to the actual building in fact. After Take 1 of the initial assault, with Viet Cong shooting up the sentry box and driving in hurling grenades, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by police and army units. It turned out that President Cori Aquino and General Ramos were meeting in an hotel a couple of blocks away. Their immediate thought, upon hearing the explosions and gunfire, was that another revolution had broken out. We were shut down for 2 hours while I persuaded the authorities that I had no plans to overthrow the government of the Philippines.
A deep basso profundo TV announcer’s voice should now intone: “There are 8 Million Stories in the Naked Jungle. This has been one of them.” More on THE SIEGE OF FIREBASE GLORIA another time.
1985 – Searchers Of The VoodooMountain (BAS Film Productions Inc)
[also released as Warriors Of The Apocalypse (USA), Time Raiders (unconfirmed)]
Director/Producer/Story Bobby A. Suarez Executive Producer Just Betzer Screenplay Ken Metcalfe Director of Photography Jun Pereira Production Manager Manny Esguerra Treasurer Gene S. Suarez Production Secretary/Co-Ordinator Cheryl Ann Flores Assistant to the Producer Butch H. Santos Production Design Ruben Arthur Nicdao Layout Artist Eddie Domer Schedule Master Ben Rojas Assistant Cameramen Reynaldo Lacap, Arturo Capulong Special Effects & Pyrotechniques Danny Torrente & Associates Clapperboy Romy Huete Stillman Butch Oliquino Action Co-Ordinator Franco Guerrero Script & Continuity Butch H. Santos Makeup Artists Margie Castro, Francis Perez Head Crew & Electrician Oscar Infantado Gaffer Carlito Pereira Crew Number 1 Rogelio de Leon Crew Number 2 Noel Dapula Sound Operator Jesus Xuin Boom Operator Ruben Medina Wardrobe Ernie Estrella, Asset Bernabe Musical Director Ole Hoyer Casting Director Maria Ezpeleta Post-Production Co-Ordinator Edward J Francis Assistant Editors Ruben Natividad & Associates
Cast Michael James, “Debrah”/Deborah Moore, Franco Guerrero, Ken Metcalfe, “Mike”/Michael Cohen, Robert Marius, David Brass, Charlotte Cain, Steven Rogers, David Light, Khristine Erlandson, Pete Cooper, Willie Williams, Russel Jenkins, Laura Anderson, Mandy Haywood, Liza Baumann, Bridgitte Mielke, Marina Miatke, Carola Makitalo, Tina Makitalo, Joe Cunanan, Katrina Mauback, Ann Milhench, Nikole Streinkenberg, Don Gordon, Willie Schober, Ricky Small [Richard S. Suarez?], Herbert Fenner, Kris Krug, Tim Kirby, Nestie Mercardo, Elsie Freeman, Sam Lombardo, Jacques Gervai, Walter Fagepstrom, George Oteyza, Ronnie Patterson, Kaare Loabroach, Matt P. Koett, Florence Carvajal, Arturo Merjil, Pat Andrew, Godfrey Hazelton, Ernie Estrella, Ofella Martinez, Firewalkers Dance Troupe, The Seven Pygmies
1986 - American Commandos(BAS Film Productions Inc)
[working title “Hitman”; released in Germany as “Jäger Der Apokalypse II” to cash in on the German title of Antonio Margheriti’s The Last Hunter. Also released as "Le Commando du Triangle d'Or" (France), "Omicidio Incrociato" & "Nati Per Uccidere" (both in Italy), "Hitman - A Última Defesa" (Brazil)]
Director Bobby A. Suarez Writers Ken Metcalfe, Bobby A. Suarez Producers Bobby A. Suarez , Just Betzer Executive Producer Benni Korzen Music Ole Høyer Cinematographer Jun Pereira Editor Bobby A. Suarez Production Designer Butch Santos
Cast Christopher Mitchum (Dean Mitchell), John Phillip Law (Kelly), Franco Guerrero (Somsak), Robert Marius (Brutus), David Brass (Chandler), Kristine Erlandson (Lisa), Willie Williams (Creeper), Karen Lopez (Mitchell's wife), Ken Metcalfe (Brady), Don Gordon Bell (Tiger), Nigel Hogge (Sheriff), Walt Faggerstrom (Speck), Ronald Bregendahl (Buck), Peter Cooper, David Light (Lev), David Site, Carlo Gabriel, Roma Samantha Suarez, Jean Site, Klaus Fahlstrom, Tim Hook, Liza Tolentino, Manny Tibayan, Danny Torrente, Franco Rivero, [uncredited] Richard S. Suarez (Charlie)
Director/Producer/Story Bobby A. Suarez Executive Producers Gene S. Suarez, Albert O. Robert Screenplay/Editor “Joe”/Joseph Zucchero Director of Photography “Babes”/Baby Cabrales Music Lutgardo Labad [uncredited, listed on IMDB] Musical Director Douglas Lackey Production Designer Ricky Brioso Production Supervisor Paul A. Vitello Associate Director Fernando Guerrero
Cast Samantha Brown (Carol), “Christine”/Kristine Erlandson (Lorna), Elizabeth Bankhead (Carol’s Mother), Ken Metcalfe (Carol’s Father), Nigel Hogge (Lieutenant Casey), Mike Socquez [listed as “Soquez” on poster] (Albert Croft), Willie Williams (Andy), Becky Misa (Claire), Marilyn Bautista (Pia), Eden Bautista (Myrna), Mike Cohen (Prof Fletcher), Vangie Labalan (Ester), Richard Suarez (Nick), Lorna Soriano (Jiji), Precilla Belt (Little Carol), Jeremy Brett Mills Gaerlan (Little Nick), Lenlen Velasco (Little Jiji), Terry Robert (Casey’s Assistant), Brian Smith (Andro), Gruenberg Dieter (Drunk Man), Alex Nolte (Investigator), Enrico Villa (George), Craig Judd (Policemen #1), Emmanuel Calvo (Policemen #2), Vic Santos (Policemen #3), Elizabeth Terry (Mrs Garcia), Bryan Hall, David Carter
Director Jett C. Espiritu Producer Teejay Executive Producers Lita Buenaseda, Baby, Ann & Thet Cinematography Arnold Alvaro Music Carlos Rodriguez Editor Oscar Dugtong Assistant Director Russel Castillo Assistant Editors Joe Ramirez, Joe Buenconsejo Props & Special Effects Boy Sto. Domingo Layout Bing P. Santos Titles Angle B. Corros Special Live Effects Francisco Espinosa Sound Supervision Gabby Castellano Fight Instructors Fred Esplana, Rey Solo Secretary Erlinda Tolentino Sales Manager Mario Cajucom General Manager Hildo Jose
Cast Jimmy Santos, Ronnie Valle, Gil Guerrero, Robert Talby, Robert Miller, Danny Riel, Charlie Blackspoon, Ronnie Patterson, James Gaines, Kristine Erlandson, David Light, Robert Marius, Fahed Rupp, Fred Esplana, Rey Solo, Tony Lao, Boy Ibaites, Boy Castellano, Tony Tacorda, Joel Dinero, Jay Grama, Amor Villa, Ramon Zamora, Franco Rivero, Liza Riosa
Vengeance Squad: proof that some Tagalog action films should STAY in Tagalog... (review by Andrew Leavold)
Competing groups of Filipino “rebels” and foreign mercenaries are hired by kewpie heiress “Mrs Robertson” (played with supreme indifference by Scandinavian expat Kristine Erlandson) to track down her husband’s killer. Told via flashback, the holidaying couple are kidnapped by so-called rebel Gamorr; she is ravaged, he is tortured and shot. She mistakes her captor for his half-brother Godiss, a former cohort in the revolution who’s since seen the light and returned to the side of goodness and order (read: the Marcos regime. Poorly disguised propeganda, or is the Philippines meant to be another miscellaneous South American poo-hole?). Rodrigo now heads Gamorr’s former Goons, who had teamed up with the now-dead rebel Alexander and are now in league with the foreign devils led by balding soldier of fortune Blackwell...
And here lies one of the film’s fatal flaws. Rogrigo? Alexander? Blackwell? Gamorr? There’s way too many Goons competing for screen dominance, it’s painful to keep up with who’s who, let alone care - you cut off one head and another five appear. And yet each of those heads are infinitely more compelling than our bland, uninspiring hero Godiss: a relentlessly wordy and maudlin would-be-philosopher and Christ figure (God? Godiss?) with a not-so-subtle white cross painted on the back of his jacket.
Once Godiss is captured, Mrs Robertson settles on a Human Hunt, and offers $25,000 of her dwindling inheritence to the one who brings back his head. Not the smartest idea, pitting one group of relentless opportunists against each other, but it does give the narrative focus and and some poorly needed screen time for Blackwell’s out of control chimp gang, described somewhere buried in the script as the “scums of the earth”. They’re native English speakers, yet they spit out strained dialogue in staccato pigeon English like a constantly jamming rifle. Bobby Suarez regulars Robert Marius (Searchers Of The Voodoo Mountain) and Jim Gaines (from countless Kinavesa titles) help put the “cheese” in “macheesmo” with their few enjoyably D-grade tough guy lines, like “let’s give them some shit!”
Here’s another flaw: there’s just not enough cheese to go around. I don’t expect much in life, but I DO want more from dumb action films - shameless, consistent, mindblowingly entertaining dumbness. And some genuinely clever camerawork from another Suarez veteran, Arnold Alvaro, can’t disguise the fact that Vengeance Squad just isn’t stoopid enough.
Jim Gaines on Vengeance Squad: Its a typical local film plot with a hoard of chopsuey cast. (Thats why Jett Espirito's mind was in a limbo, rewriting lines and scriptby trying to give everybody as much screen time possible). Producers and director just did not have enough sense that most of the cast arevirtually unknown out sideP.I. Well they tried anyways.
Director Clark Henderson Writer Thomas McKelvey Cleaver Producers John Schouweiler, Isabel Sumayao Executive Producer [uncredited] Roger Corman Music Samuel Ascunion Cinematography Jun Pereira Editor “I.C. MacKendrick”/Clark Henderson Production Design Mariles Gonzáles
Cast Richard Young (Sgt. Mark Stryker), P.J. Soles (Jean Lassiter), John Allen Nelson (Timothy Bryant), “Jimi B. Jr”/Jimmy Bridges (Pfc. Will Thomas), Spanky Manikan (Jon Toi), Joonee Gamboa (Nguyen Huu Tri), Willie Williams (Gary Richards), Crispen Medina (Quy), Leo Martinez (Prosecuter). “J.M.”/Jose Mari Avellana (Col. Tranh), Steve Rogers (Eddie Roy Hibbert), Ronnie Patterson (Andy Winters), David Light (Jack Alberts), Jack S. Daniels (Jackson), Earl Palma (Cobra Ring), Lupo Gosengfiao (Accomplice), David Giberson (Deserter), Richard King (Hitman #1), Kris Aguilar (Hitman #2), Susan Africa (Lang), Nick Nicholson (Airborne Sgt), Don Wilson (Airborne Corp), Doug Lincoln (Airborne Sp / 4), Larry Limjoco (Arvin #1), Patrick Lucero (Arvin #2), Manolet Parcon (Dao), Randy Hrobar (Corporal), John Michael (Kid MP #1), Daniel Dietrich (Kid MP #2), Louis del Castillo (G.I. #1), Jim Moss (G.I. #2), Kristine Erlandson (Pretty Nurse), Mia Gutierrez (Toi's Wife), Bernard [Factor] Canaberal (Viet Emcee), Ricky Spencer (Newbie #1), “Rafael Soques”/Raffael Soquez (Newbie #2), Nandy Zialcita (Newbie #3), Theresa Dumpit (Bar Girl), Marita de Guzman(My Chanh), Inaqui del Rosario (Street Urchin), Grace Mengillen (Prostitute), Bettina Gonzales (Madam), Fred Bailey (Captain)
This film spends little time addressing the Vietnam War, even though it takes place in Saigon during the year 1970. This film spends most it's time dealing with the exploits of a group of MPs, led by Sgt. Mark Stryker (Richard Young; FINAL MISSION - 1984), as they deal with a city that's so corrupt, it's nearly impossible to get anything done. Sgt. Stryker and his men not only contend with a serial killer dubbed the "Hollowpoint Killer" by the press (due to the type of bullet the killer uses), they also have to constantly keep the peace between the American occupation and the locals who resent their presence. Tensions are so bad, some locals slit the throat of Sgt. Tim Bryant's (John Allen Nelson; KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE - 1988) Vietnamese girlfriend while he watches. The appearance of Associated Press reporter Jean Lassiter (P.J. Soles; HALLOWEEN - 1978), who is assigned to ride along with Sgt. Stryker, only makes his job more difficult. When the Hollowpoint Killer, who has murdered ten Vietnamese locals, kills his first American victim, the pressure is put on Sgt. Stryker to find him and find him fast. Complicating matters is when Tim, who is grieving the loss of his girlfriend, turns rogue and begins murdering locals in retribution. Not anonymous locals, mind you, but prominent, influential locals. Sgt. Stryker, who had an opportunity to bring Tim in, but let his personal friendship with him get in the way, is framed by Col. Tranh (Joe Mari Avellana) for the death of Stryker's commanding officer (Frederick Bailey). When a lynch mob of locals try to grab Stryker as he is taken into custody, he escapes with the help of Jean and some of his MP buddies. He then sets out to clear his name, stop both Tim and the Hollowpoint Killer and bring Col Tranh and his men down. To do that, Stryker gathers all his Special Forces buddies together (he first has to rescue them in the jungle while they are under heavy enemy fire) and they then begin to lay waste to Saigon. When a nun and some orphans are killed by a sniper, the locals blame Tim, but Stryker knows better. The sniper is actually working for Col. Tranh, who is also responsible for the Hollowpoint Killer. Col. Tranh hopes to get the locals so riled up that they force all Americans out of Saigon. The sniper then kills a bunch of Buddhists and tensions reach the boiling point. When Jean is kidnapped, Stryker and his men swing into action and save her. The finale takes place at an anti-American rally, where Tim has the rally's leader, Nguyen HuuTri (Joonie Gamboa), in his sights. Stryker must settle with Tim, the Hollowpoint Killer and a corrupt political system all at the same time before the film concludes.This is a halfway decent actioner that also attempts to address the difficulties the American occupation had to endure while living amongst people quite different than us during a time of war.
While far from perfect (there's evidence of post-production tampering by adding narration by Richard Young to walk us through some scenes, which were probably never finished or didn't contain enough footage to survive without an added explanation), director Clark Henderson (who also gave us the god-awful WARLORDS FROM HELL [1985] and the so-so PRIMARY TARGET [1988]) at least tries to deliver something different, mixing action, mystery, political intrigue, corruption and racial tensions into a heady little brew. You've got to admire a film that opens with a Vietnamese rock band (actually Filipino group "The Eurasia Band") grooving to "House Of The Rising Sun" and "Midnight Special" while a group of American GIs (led by Nick Nicholson) and Vietnamese locals face-off in a bar. The script, by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver (THE SISTERHOOD - 1987; THE TERROR WITHIN - 1988), is much more political than most films in this genre and the backdrop of cultural differences does manage to generate some genuine suspense. This film also tries to play fair with both sides of the political coin. Scripter Cleaver portrays the occupying American forces and the native Vietnamese as flawed human beings with passions that turn out tragically for both sides. Sure, there are villians here, but most of them pay for their sins with their lives. Tim's death is probably the film's most dramatic, kind of what law enforcement calls "death by cop", where Tim leaves his buddies no choice but to kill him, even though his sniper rifle is out of ammunition. To Tim, this is a hero's death. He would rather his friends kill him then spend the rest of his life in prison. Director Henderson fills the film with plenty of bloody bullet squibs (including scenes of children getting killed), explosions, chases and nudity, so action fans will not be disappointed, but this film has loftier ambitions than a straight-ahead action flick. Give it a try. If I didn't know better, I would say that Filipino director/producer Cirio H. Santiago had a hand in this (it's full of his people, both in front and behind the camera), but his name is nowhere to be found in the credits.
[Released on Turkish VCD as “SoyluKan”;IMDB claims various alternate titles, all unconfirmed: “Assault System”, “Platoon Without Return” and “Warriors Without Return”]
Director “Tedd Hemingway”/Teddy Chiu Story/Screenplay Rod Davis, Jim Gaines Executive Producer Douglas D. Davidson Cinematography Vic Sanders Music Patrick Corman Editor Edgar Vincent Production Design Vic Dann Art Director Rad Payne Casting Eddie France Associate Director Rod Davis Dialogue Coach James Gaines Script & Continuity Girl Charry Arlaine 1st Assistant Director Christopher Moss 2nd Assistant Director Kenneth Moore Makeup Dorothy Johnson Wardrobe Yazmin Samantha Property Master Jay Robinson Schedule Master John Maine Set Dresser George Hardy Set Construction Ed Rays Stunt Co-Ordinator Dan Bell Titles Boy Quilatan Graphics Vic Velasco Motorcycle Stunts Dan Bell, Matthew Doyle, Henry Calder Car Stunts Dennis Carlberg, Tim Bowie Special Effects Joe Cadbury Production Manager Manfred Grafton Camera Operator William Powers Focus Puller James Marshall Soundman Timothy Holmes Boom Operator Greg Altman Dolly Operator Joe Shooter Grips Leigh Foreman, Larry Chase Sound Mixer Keith Harness
Cast Gary Daniels (David Callahan), “Jaimes”/Jim Gaines (Charles Murphy), David Light (Douglas Anderson), Richard King (Captain Vinai), Protacio Dee (Tran Van Phu), Glaiza Herradura (Mai Linh Phu), “Christine Erlingson”/Kristine Erlandson (Kate Callahan), Peter Rise (Paul Callahan), Jeff Griffith (Moore), Michael Welborn (Steve), Jack Serra (Mark), Frank Wannack (McGuire), Clinton Young (Stepehn), Oscar Daniels (The Colonel), Leff “Erlingson”/Erlandson (Ratso), Ingrid “Erlingson”/Erlandson (Cindy), Eric King (Police Captain), Andy Joseph (Sam), Hassim Hassam (El Charmaison)
Gary Danielson Final Reprisal in his interview on the Nanarland website:
I think most people know that I started martial arts in England at around the age of 8 or 9 years old. I first went to the U.S in my early 20's where I got involved in acting classes and started doing commercials and small parts before going to the Philippines when I was around 23/24 years old, which is where I met Wilson Tieng who was at that time running Solar films that signed me to a 2 year contract. It was Wilson that introduced me to the director Teddy Chiu [Nanarland: alias Ted Johnson alias Teddy Page. For the release of "Final Reprisal", Teddy Chiu used the pseudonym "Ted Hemingway"] and James (Jimmy) Gaines who was the writer of `Final Reprisal', the first movie that I starred in, in the P.I.
Obviously at that time I was very naïve about the film industry so Jimmy became a kind of mentor and good friend that showed me the ropes. He showed me around Manila and started to help shape me as an actor. Jimmy is a very likable person as he has a great sense of humor and a very calm, mellow personality so it was easy for us to get along. I was young and impatient back then so Jimmy was a good foil to my personality. I spent 2 years in the P.I and they were 2 of the best years of my life. `Final Reprisal' wasn't a great film but I had the time of my life making the film and working with Teddy, Jimmy and a lot of other ex pats, ex military guys living and working in the P.I. I also learned a lot about the realities of film making that you can't learn in an acting class.
[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!”
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!
1988 – Cobra Nero 2 (L’Immagine S.r.l.)
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