Bullet Points: Nam Angels

For some reason I love watching movies when I don’t know they are remakes even though I have seen the original. Most of the time this has to do with the separate movies having different titles but it can be a real surprising treat piecing it all together. Recently I watched the 1989 Vietnam Hells Angels movie Nam Angels and was nonplussed that I was watching another Vietnam Hells Angels movie that is very similar to one I have seen many times, The Losers. Then I discovered that the 1970 movie The Losers is also known as Nam’s Angels. Who knew that Nam Angels is a remake of The Losers? What I do know is that I like my Vietnam War movies injected with some Hells Angels and I just so happen to have some Bullet Points for Nam Angels because unnecessary punctuation is for The Losers.

• DyNAMic Opening – Nam Angels wastes no time getting to the action as we see Lt. Calhoun (Brad Johnson in his first movie role) leading a platoon in Vietnam when they get in a firefight with the Viet Cong. Things are looking a little dicey until a group of local Vietnamese villagers kill the VC with bows and arrows. Everything isn’t hunky-dory for Calhoun and his men as the villagers turn on the Americans, killing some, capturing two soldiers with only Calhoun and his guide Trihn getting away. The villagers are led by Chard (named for the leafy vegetable, no doubt,) played by Vernon Wells in a Col. Kurtz-light role who I think is supposed to be French, but all we get is a weird Australian/French accent. The villagers are only out for themselves and are protecting the gold that is prevalent in the valley they live.

• UNAMbivalent Plan – Calhoun, who is scheduled to go home in two weeks, decides against just riding out his time and comes up with a plan to rescue the POWs. He formulates the plan after he witnesses four Hells Angels rough up a group of special forces at the local strip club. That’s right, Nam Angels has a strip club bar fight scene and it is a great introduction to the Hells Angels that are conveniently in Vietnam for… reasons. Calhoun convinces the bikers to join him and his trusty mechanic Hickman on a mission to go behind enemy lines to steal the gold located in the valley. Wait. Calhoun doesn’t tell the bikers the real reason for the mission is to rescue the prisoners? I don’t see that causing any conflict when Calhoun’s ruse is exposed.

• ENAMored Ending – Just like the Hells Angels in Nam Angels, I was a little disappointed the bikers were forced to ride Yamaha Motorcycles instead of Harleys but that doesn’t stop the bike riding action from being incredibly fun. Calhoun and his bikers get in all kind of trouble, including numerous shootouts and a couple of chasms that need to be jumped. Some highlights to look forward to include Calhoun Tarzanning off a waterfall with a biker on his back and one of the Hells Angels getting his arm completely cut off. Spoiler alert, not all of the members of the group make it back alive. The real conflict happens when the Hells Angels find out about the prisoners. Will Calhoun succeed in his mission and earn the respect of the Hells Angels with a rainy muddy fight? Will the Hells Angels get the gold? How pissed will Chard be with a potential prisoner escape? Is the extended chase to the border anything but pure amusement? Does Nam Angels have one of the most underrated Thanksgiving meals on film?

So many questions for Nam Angels, but the only real answer is to watch Nam Angels. It is not the greatest action movie, but honestly, you don’t get many chances to watch bikers gunning down the VC (if you know any besides Nam Angels and The Losers let me know). Brad Johnson is a believable lead and Vernon Wells does what he does best, chew scenery. The Hells Angels have the look and attitude with just enough heart to make you not feel so bad for rooting for the outlaws. One of the biggest downsides of Nam Angels is the terrible theme song. The instrumental music is spot on and gets the heart pumping, but when that guy (nobody is credited in the end credits) starts singing it is a real drag. Luckily for you, nothing picks up a down moment like some Nam Angels Bonus Bullet Points.

• True Action – The idea of using bikers in Vietnam might seem like a crazy idea, but famed Hells Angel Sonny Barger (Hell’s Angels ‘69) offered up the use of the Hells Angels as guerilla commandos that could have been dropped behind enemy lines to President Lyndon B. Johnson. LBJ said no.
• Question for a Vietnam Vet – I have always wondered if seeing undisciplined and untrained outlaw bikers excelling in battle is an insult to all the trained soldiers that lost their lives in the actual conflict.
• Best Quote – “Surrender this, motherf***ers!”
• Jungle Gear – I know that bikers like their denim and kuttes, but I can’t imagine that it makes for a comfortable experience in the hot and sticky jungle, notwithstanding the complete lack of camouflage.
• “If You Are Going to Do Something, Do it Right” Quote – “Don’t ever call me a cracker again. Crackers are from Georgia. I’m from West Texas and you can call me a redneck peckerhead anytime.”
• Familiar Direction – Nam Angels was just one of many action movies directed by the prolific Filipino producer and director Cirio H. Santiago (I personally also enjoy One Man Army.) Fans of this site might also recognize him from his producer credits in films like Bloodfist II, The Hunt for Eagle One and Blackbelt among others.