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"The success of the film is contingent on how reviewers, the media and the audience take to it. That determines everything in this business," Norris said. "I like the character of Danny O'Brien and I like the relationships I had in the film, especially with Kay (played by Brynn Thayer). I liked seeing not just the man in the arena or the fighting machine you see in many of my films, but to see the man outside the arena -- the guy who also has relationships."<ref>A NEW KICK FOR NORRIS MACHO MARTIAL ARTS MAN CHUCK NORRIS WELCOMES THE CHANCE TO SOFTEN HIS PUBLIC IMAGE IN HIS LATEST MOVIE.: [NEWS/SUN-SENTINEL Edition]
"The success of the film is contingent on how reviewers, the media and the audience take to it. That determines everything in this business," Norris said. "I like the character of Danny O'Brien and I like the relationships I had in the film, especially with Kay (played by Brynn Thayer). I liked seeing not just the man in the arena or the fighting machine you see in many of my films, but to see the man outside the arena -- the guy who also has relationships."<ref>A NEW KICK FOR NORRIS MACHO MARTIAL ARTS MAN CHUCK NORRIS WELCOMES THE CHANCE TO SOFTEN HIS PUBLIC IMAGE IN HIS LATEST MOVIE.: [NEWS/SUN-SENTINEL Edition]
Hurlburt, Roger. Sun Sentinel 4 Sep 1988: 1F. </ref>
Hurlburt, Roger. Sun Sentinel 4 Sep 1988: 1F. </ref>

"I don't want people to think I'm just going to kick butt. There's a lot more here," siad Norris. "What makes this a different film is the vulnerability of the character I play. There are moments of humor, romance and compassion, and there are moments of terror, anguish and anxiety." A scene was filmed as a joke where Norris hyperventilates in the hospital and faints seeing a baby being born. The director, William Tannen, convinced Norris to test the film with the segment intact. "We did leave it in. And you know, women absolutely love that scene," he said.<ref>Chuck Norris // He wants emotion to add punch to his characters: [CITY Edition]
Lipper, Hal. St. Petersburg Times; St. Petersburg, Fla. [St. Petersburg, Fla]26 Aug 1988: 7. </ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==

Revision as of 22:13, 5 July 2019

Hero and the Terror
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWilliam Tannen
Written byMichael Blodgett
Produced byMenahem Golan
Yoram Globus
Lance Hool
Starring
CinematographyEric Van Haren Noman
Edited byChristian Wagner
Music byDavid Michael Frank
Distributed byCannon Films
Release date
  • August 26, 1988 (1988-08-26)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$5,301,200 (USA)

Hero and the Terror is a 1988 action film starring martial arts star Chuck Norris, directed by William Tannen. Produced by Menahem Golan, written by Michael Blodgett, and was distributed by Cannon Films. The film stars Norris as Danny O'Brien as a cop trying to stop a serial killer, Simon Moon known as "The Terror". [1]

It is based on Michael Blodgett's 1982 novel of the same name.

Plot

Danny O'Brien (Chuck Norris) is a cop who likes to work alone and never waits for his back up. In Los Angeles, O'Brien is trying to apprehend the notorious Simon Moon (Jack O'Halloran), also known as The Terror. Simon has been killing women by snapping their necks and taking them to his lair in an abandoned movie theater. O'Brien is attacked by Simon who almost kills him in the struggle. When the killer flees the scene and climbs up a ladder he slips and falls, knocking himself unconscious. When the backup arrives they think O'Brien caught The Terror and the people of L.A. call him "Hero". Simon is then arrested and taken to jail.

When Dr. Highwater (Billy Drago) goes to visit Simon he escapes by cutting through the bars of his cell. He then steals a laundry van by push starting it but loses control and falls straight down into a cliff face. When the media hears about this they pronounce Simon dead and the people of L.A. are relieved.

Three years later the murders start back up again and O'Brien thinks it's The Terror. He eventually finds where his lair is and heads in to confront Simon himself. He encounters an enclosed room not on the map and heads in. In there he finds the bodies of The Terror's victims and starts searching around for him. Simon jumps out and attacks him and Danny tries to fight him off. O'Brien eventually kills The Terror and the film ends, as he marries his girlfriend who gave birth to their daughter.

Cast

Production

Hero and the Terror was Chuck Norris's first major attempt at diversifying from his traditional martial arts roles.[2][3]

"The success of the film is contingent on how reviewers, the media and the audience take to it. That determines everything in this business," Norris said. "I like the character of Danny O'Brien and I like the relationships I had in the film, especially with Kay (played by Brynn Thayer). I liked seeing not just the man in the arena or the fighting machine you see in many of my films, but to see the man outside the arena -- the guy who also has relationships."[4]

"I don't want people to think I'm just going to kick butt. There's a lot more here," siad Norris. "What makes this a different film is the vulnerability of the character I play. There are moments of humor, romance and compassion, and there are moments of terror, anguish and anxiety." A scene was filmed as a joke where Norris hyperventilates in the hospital and faints seeing a baby being born. The director, William Tannen, convinced Norris to test the film with the segment intact. "We did leave it in. And you know, women absolutely love that scene," he said.[5]

Reception

The movie had a mostly negative reception. It currently has a 0% rating on movie rating website Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the poor reception, Chuck Norris' acting was praised and it has a cult following. Most fans call it one of his better movies.[6][7][8]

Box office

Hero and the Terror grossed $1.84 million nationwide its first weekend at the box office, finishing in a disappointing 12th place.[9] It made $6 million over all.[10]

Release

The film premiered on August 26, 1988 in the United States.[11] It was released on Blu-ray for the first time in June 2015, by Kino Lorber.[12]

See also


References

  1. ^ "A New Kick For Norris Macho Martial Arts Man Chuck Norris Welcomes The Chance To Soften His Public Image In His Latest Movie". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  2. ^ "Chuck Norris Fights to Be a Better Actor in 'Hero and the Terror' Role". The Los Angeles Times. 1988-09-02. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  3. ^ Sheridan, Chris (1988-08-25). "TOUGH AND TENDER CHUCK NORRIS DEVELOPS A MILD SIDE ON FILM". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  4. ^ A NEW KICK FOR NORRIS MACHO MARTIAL ARTS MAN CHUCK NORRIS WELCOMES THE CHANCE TO SOFTEN HIS PUBLIC IMAGE IN HIS LATEST MOVIE.: [NEWS/SUN-SENTINEL Edition] Hurlburt, Roger. Sun Sentinel 4 Sep 1988: 1F.
  5. ^ Chuck Norris // He wants emotion to add punch to his characters: [CITY Edition] Lipper, Hal. St. Petersburg Times; St. Petersburg, Fla. [St. Petersburg, Fla]26 Aug 1988: 7.
  6. ^ Thomas, Kevin (August 26, 1988). "'Hero' Does Battle With a Terror of Script". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  7. ^ "Hero and the Terror". Washington Post. 1988-08-27. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  8. ^ "Hero and the Terror". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  9. ^ "Chucking His Iron-Man Image Boundaries of Hero Role Can't Contain Norris in `Terror". The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution. 1988-09-02. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  10. ^ Lynch Party Los Angeles Times 15 Apr 1990: N27.
  11. ^ "Chuck Norris' Hero and the Terror". Roger Ebert. 1988-09-02. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  12. ^ "Chuck Norris' Hero and the Terror and the Blu-ray". The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution. 1988-09-02. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
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