Red Scorpion

"They think they control him. Think again."

1988 1h 45m EN

😐

6.0

MID

★6.0TMDB · 322

AdventureActionWar

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A Soviet commando is sent to eliminate a rebel leader in Africa. Soon he finds himself doubting his mission.

“They think they control him. Think again.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Dolph Lundgren
Lt. Nikolai Rachenko
M. Emmet Walsh
Dewey Ferguson
Al White
Kallunda Kintash
T. P. McKenna
General Vortek
Carmen Argenziano
Colonel Zayas
Alex Colon
Sgt. Mendez
Brion James
Krasnov
Ruben Nthodi
Ango Sundata

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Joseph Zito
Writers: Arne Olsen, Robert Abramoff, Jack Abramoff
Languages: English, Italian
Countries: Namibia, South Africa, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 26% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

38 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Italian.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: Namibia, South Africa, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Red Scorpion Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Joseph Zito, shot by João Fernandes. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Jay Chattaway. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Daniel Loewenthal shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Joseph Zito directs. João Fernandes behind the camera. Jay Chattaway scores. Daniel Loewenthal cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Namibia, South Africa, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Italian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 26% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
238 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Italian.
4International production across 3 countries: Namibia, South Africa, United States of America.
5Part of the "Red Scorpion Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
6Directed by Joseph Zito, shot by João Fernandes. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
7Original score by Jay Chattaway. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
8Editor Daniel Loewenthal shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
9Dolph Lundgren and M. Emmet Walsh and Al White carry the top of the cast.
10Marketing tagline: "They think they control him. Think again.".
11IMDB entry: tt0098180 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: João Fernandes
Original score: Jay Chattaway
Editing: Daniel Loewenthal
Production design: Ladislav Wilheim
Makeup / hair: Tom Savini
Runtime: 105 min · 1h 45m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $16,000,000
Box office: $4,192,440
Return: 26% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Red Scorpion (1988)

Part of

Red Scorpion Collection

This film collection centers on themes of espionage, insurgency, and combating terrorism. Characters face moral dilemmas and geopolitical tensions, often diverging from their original missions. In one film, an undercover agent in Africa switches sides to protect a revolutionary, while another film features elite infiltrators stopping a violent right-wing militia. These films explore the complexities of morality, politics, and human behavior. They offer action-packed sequences and thrilling adventures, with shifting loyalties and undercover operations. Acclaimed for nuanced storytelling, exceptional acting, and impressive cinematography, this collection appeals to fans of intense thrill rides and thought-provoking narratives.

Also by

Joseph Zito

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Community reviews

What people are saying

GenerationofSwine2023-01-12
★ 1/10
Well it is pure, unadulterated, conservative propaganda. And it doesn't make any excuses for it. At least, it's pure circa 80s conservative propaganda before everything just went insane. However, unlike Red Dawn, which is also 80s conservative propaganda, Red Scorpion kind of really stinks. It's too much, in literally every way, from too much politics, to too much near nudity, to too much dead lifting. It makes for a weak action packed mess that is nearly unwatchable.

Production companies