Daninger very weak, unfortunately

SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Ploydsge just watch it!

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Unathanthium Z Violence solves everything in this ham-fisted film. A bunch of left wing lunatics plan to end all war by potentially killing loads of Scots. In a nod to fairness they give the inhabitants of the Scottish town some 18 hours or so to evacuate before they demand the government drop a nuclear bomb on the area. Being left-leaning myself I couldn't countenance such an action without informing the RSPCA as well to ensure that no animals are hurt in this absurd attempt to force world peace on us all.Our rabid right wing government, that Thatcher one remember, is in this situation because these lefties have a bunch of old men and their over-powdered wives at their mercy in the American Embassy. These lefty terrorists aren't real lefties because they shoot up CND signs at target practice so even those with a penchant for peace can take succour in the knowledge that these terrorists aren't really representative of the CND brigade.Inevitably the SAS, the hard men of choice after their riotous escapade in the Iranian Embassy a few years before, are called in. Lewis Collins, auditioning for a role at Madame Tussauds, infiltrates the gang by seducing the main female terrorist played by frizzy haired Judy Davis. This is done so easily you marvel at the lack of ineptitude when it comes to actually plotting the taking of the Embassy. Even though Collins is discovered to be untrustworthy by the group they still take him along, in reality they'd have executed him. Their securing of the Embassy is neatly done but they have no idea how to hold the place successfully. Why didn't they bring gas masks, tear gas was hardly a new invention, did none of them foresee it being used? Again their inefficiency when the SAS break in is startling. There seems to be no plan for such an event. It then becomes a turkey shoot. Not one SAS man is shot so that the action lacks any tension as terrorists are blown away in seconds.There's no emotional depth to the film. Collins never once flinches as he dispatches his former comrades. Did he develop no emotional attachment to any of the terrorists besides Davis? We know he has emotions because at the end he fails to blast Davis to hell, his commanding officer does it for him, rebuking him for his lax response in the face of death.There's some comedy, albeit not scheduled I imagine. The hilarious exchange between Widmark and Davis is as profound as the film dares to get. It's the usual argument between the left and right over nukes. Simplistic it is but then if you listen to politicians you realise that you can't really expect debates so deep they'd leave Noam Chomsky dizzy. Sadly that sort of exchange is what you'd get if you left Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May locked in a room for three hours with the sole topic of Trident to argue over. More light relief is applied when there is a meeting at a hall attended by a thousand or so pacifists. It descends into a riot, strangely not caused by the anachronistic band who sound like a turgid offshoot of Thin Lizzy. Obviously the Redskins weren't available. It's like 2- Tone or punk never happened.This film makes more missteps than a three-legged elephant in a dance hall.

Woodyanders Cynical SAS captain Peter Skellen (ably played with firm and charismatic resolve by Lewis Collins) infiltrates a radical political group who are plotting a terrorist abduction of several American dignitaries who are visiting England. Director Ian Sharp, working from an absorbing script by Reginald Rose, relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout (thankfully, there's no silly humor with anyone making dopey quips after someone gets killed), generates a considerable amount of tension, and stages the explosive action in the last fifteen minutes with consummate skill and brio. Moreover, the filmmakers warrant additional praise for the way that they show how a group of left-wing radicals can be every bit as dangerous and misguided as right-wing fanatics. The sound acting from a sturdy cast rates as another major asset: Judy Davis delivers plenty of sexy and saucy pluck as passionate and dedicated group leader Frankie Leith, Richard Widmark portrays the role Secretary of State Arthur Currie with deliciously sardonic bite, and Ingrid Pitt radiates pure menace as the ruthless Helga, plus there are commendable contributions from Robert Webber as the hearty General Ira Potter, Edward Woodward as the pragmatic Commander Powell, Tony Doyle as the hard-nosed Colonel Hadley, and Rosalind Lloyd as Skellen's loving wife Jenny. Kudos are also in order for Phil Meheux's slick cinematography and Roy Budd's pulsating score. A real cracking winner.

TedMichaelMor Ian Sharp's intelligent direction of an inept screenplay, careful action sequences, and finely honed acting (to a point) by Judy Davis and Ingrid Pitt define this entertaining action film. Phil Meheux's beautiful cinematography and John Grover's editing almost cover the considerable number of lapses in the script.However, far-fetched elements in the story ultimately undermine direction, acting, and action scenes. The script largely seems contrived instead of clever or creative, though elements of the narrative work well enough for two female characters to develop in interesting ways. That might be because Judy Davis and Ingrid Pitt are simply highly skilled actors. Roy Budd's score also integrates (or appears to blend in) elements of the film.This is not a masterwork, but it does entertain better than any James Bond film ever does. One finds a measure of pleasure in realising how at least one Bond film might have worked had it enjoyed some of the gifts used to create this movie.

lms00601 When I rented The Final Option back on VHS in the early to mid 1980's. I had not idea how good the movie would be and it was a great movie.The action was cool and was seemed accurate also like Richard Widmark. The main SAS character (Lewis Collins) I had never seen before and when I saw this movie thought his acting was GREAT! When I rented it I lived in Norfolk, Virginia and now I cannot find the movie to own on DVD or VHS. Can anyone tell me where I can get The Final Option on DVD-Region 1 (USA) or even VHS (NTSC format)? I have been craving for this movie for years and I cannot find it anywhere! Please contact me at lms00601@comcast.net if you can help, Thanks !!!!!!