The Essentials: 1983 Action
It is now a longstanding New Year’s tradition here at Bulletproof Action to spotlight 12 action movies that will be celebrating a milestone anniversary in the New Year. In this case, 12 action movies released in 1983 that will celebrate their 40th Anniversaries in 2023…
10 to Midnight (Released March 11, 1983) Charles Bronson’s second film with the Cannon Group is a favorite among action and horror fans alike… 10 to Midnight tells the story of a cop who crosses the line in order to take down a serial killer who is targeting young women… including his own daughter! Did I mention this serial killer works in the nude?!
Lone Wolf McQuade (Released April 15, 1983) One thing becomes abundantly clear when watching the “buried alive” scene in Lone Wolf McQuade, Pearl Beer is to J.J. McQuade what spinach is to Popeye! The movie, that would later inspire the long running Chuck Norris series Walker, Texas Ranger, also features a villainous David Carradine in an argyle sweater.
Blue Thunder (Released May 13, 1983) Before there was Airwolf, there was Blue Thunder! Starring Roy Scheider as a test pilot for a high tech experimental helicopter for the LAPD who finds out there are some (namely his old nemesis Col. Cochrane played by Malcolm McDowell) looking to use the Blue Thunder program for nefarious means… and that means a helicopter battle over downtown Los Angeles!
Return of the Jedi (Released May 25, 1983) Perhaps the most bittersweet movie of my lifetime. As a Star Wars kid I could not wait to find out the fate of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in the the third installment of the Star Wars saga. But Return of the Jedi also marked the end of an era with no more feature films in the pipeline after its release and the demise of so many of the key characters that made the Star Wars movies such a big part of so many childhoods.
Octopussy (Released June 10, 1983) Roger Moore’s penultimate turn as James Bond, the suggestively titled Octopussy finds 007 investigating a jewel smuggling operation that is in fact a front for a nuclear attack on N.A.T.O. forces. A fake Faberge egg, a real life tennis star Vijay Amritraj and a fake crocodile are among the Octopussy highlights.
Superman III (Released June 17, 1983) In recent years I feel like I have grown to appreciate Superman III more, but as a youngster I could not ignore Superman III‘s drop in quality compared to the masterpiece that was 1978’s Superman and the fun follow up that was 1980’s Superman II. The shift from Metropolis to Smallville, the comic relief of Richard Pryor’s Gus Gorman and a whole new slate of villains to deal with set Superman III apart from its predecessors, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. One definite good thing and a scene I will always remember is the Clark Kent vs. Evil Superman battle in the junkyard!
Krull (Released July 29, 1983) A movie that did not get the love and box office success it deserved, Krull was probably released one year too soon… had they held off until 1984 when fans were really feeling that Star Wars void, Krull (and an exciting line of action figures, playsets and accessories) could have snuck in and taken some of the market share. A love story at its core, Krull tells the tale of Colwyn and his fantastic journey to rescue his bride Lyssa from alien invaders. Also featuring Liam Neeson, the amazing score by James Horner and Firemares!
Hercules (Released August 26, 1983) An early success for Cannon, their “special effects Hercules on a budget” starring the perfectly cast Lou Ferrigno is filled with a certain cheesy charm. How can anybody hate a movie that features Hercules giant swinging a bear into outer space or a movie that features Sybil Danning looking as only she could?
Revenge of the Ninja (Released September 9, 1983) Some would argue the peak of the 1980’s ninja craze hit when Revenge of the Ninja opened in theaters. Not as arguable is that Revenge of the Ninjas was the best of Cannon’s ninja trilogy starring Shô Kosugi. The tale of betrayal and revenge also launched the acting career of young Kane Kosugi and featured Keith Vitali, a pantsless Ashley Ferrare, a cool silver masked ninja, a badass granny and an epic rooftop ninja battle!
Deathstalker (Released September 16, 1983) The first movie in what would go on to become a four film franchise, Deathstalker starring Rick Hill as the titular character tells the tale of Deathstalker’s quest to find a sword, a chalice and an amulet Filled with all the elements that make the sword and sorcery genre so much fun, plus copious amounts of female nudity (and this one wasn’t even directed by Jim Wynorski!)
Sudden Impact (Released December 9, 1983) The penultimate Dirty Harry film and the only film in the Dirty Harry franchise that was directed by Clint Eastwood, Sudden Impact finds Dirty Harry Callahan investigating case of a rape victim turned vigilante and no balls are safe in this one! Sudden Impact may be best known for Dirty Harry delivering the line that was ranked #6 on AFI’s 100 Greatest Movie Quotes of All Time list… “Go ahead, make my day.”
Uncommon Valor (Released December 16, 1983) Vietnam movies were big in the 80s and Uncommon Valor may be one of the more unsung Vietnam themed films of the time. Starring Gene Hackman as a retired Marine colonel obsessed with finding his son who has been listed as missing in action and is believed to be a prisoner of war being held in Laos. The supporting cast includes Fred Ward, Reb Brown, Robert Stack, Patrick Swayze and Tim Thomerson.
