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A Force of One
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox film
| name = A Force of One
| image = Force of one.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Paul Aaron
| producer = Alan Belkin
| writer = Pat E. Johnson
Ernest Tidyman
| narrator =
| starring = Jennifer O'Neill
Chuck Norris
Clu Gulager
Ron O'Neal
Bill Wallace
| music = Dick Halligan
| cinematography = Roger Shearman
| editing = Bert Lovitt
| distributor = American Cinema Releasing
| released = May 18, 1979
| runtime = 90 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $2.5 million or $3.5 million
| gross = $17 million or
$20.2 million or
$23 million
}}
'A Force of One' is a 1979 American action martial arts film starring Chuck Norris, Jennifer O'Neill, Ron O'Neal, Clu Gulager and Bill Wallace. The film was directed by Paul Aaron and written by Pat E. Johnson and Ernest Tidyman and released by American Cinema Productions.
Plot
When a team of undercover narcotics officers is targeted by a serial killer, the police recruit karate champion Matt Logan to bring the murders to an end. Narcotics Officer Amanda "Mandy" Rust (Jennifer O'Neill) discovers that a traitor within the police ranks is behind the killings.
Cast
*Chuck Norris as Matt Logan
*Jennifer O'Neill as Amanda "Mandy" Rust
*Clu Gulager as Dunne
*Ron O'Neal as Rollins
*Bill Wallace as Sparks
*Eric Laneuville as Charlie Logan
*James Whitmore Jr as Moskowitz
*Clint Ritchie as Melrose
*Pepe Serna as Orlando
*Ray Vitte as Newton
*Taylor Lacher as Bishop
*Lisa James as Harriett
*Chu Chu Malave as Rudy
*Kevin Geer as Johnson
*Eugene Butler as Murphy
*Mel Novak as The Announcer
*Kevin Geer as Johnson
*Karen Obediear as Alice
Reception
Critical response
Todd McCarthy of 'Variety' wrote, "Though plot is far-fetched and production values aren't much superior to tv fare, likable protagonists and strong karate sequences will carry the day with the intended audience." Kevin Thomas of the 'Los Angeles Times' called it "a swift, taut, handsomely photographed thriller... made with more craftmanship than most martial arts movies." Gene Siskel of the 'Chicago Tribune' gave the film two stars out of four and dismissed it "just a poor excuse for a lot of fighting."Siskel, Gene (February 22, 1980). "Siskel's Flicks Picks". 'Chicago Tribune'. Section 3, p. 12. K.C. Summers of 'The Washington Post' wrote, "It's pretty good. Not only does it move along at a faster clip than many a higher-budget film, but it's done without a lot of gore no small feat in a martial arts movie ... Another plus is that the romantic leads, Jennifer O'Neill and Chuck Norris, actually seem to like one another; they're relaxed and at ease before the camera, and their scenes together are a pleasure to watch."Summers, K.C. (October 12, 1979). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1979/10/12/a-force-of-one-gets-by-without-gore-until-the-end/ffef9a6f-e1a8-4fc8-9b4d-762711684926/"'A Force of One' Gets By Without Gore, Until the End".] 'The Washington Post'. Weekend, p. 39.Norris said he was "ten times better in" the film than in his previous film 'Good Guys Wear Black' (1978).
The film was written by Ernest Tidyman who in a 1980 interview considered it his least successful effort as a craftsman. "I only wrote it to buy my mother a house." he said, although financially it was one of his biggest hits.
See also
* Chuck Norris filmography
References
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