Bulletproof (1988 film)

Last updated
Bulletproof
Bulletproof (1988 film).jpg
Directed by Steve Carver
Written byT.L. Lankford (story and screenplay)
Fred Olen Ray (story)
B.J. Goldman (screenplay)
Produced by Lisa M. Hansen (executive producer)
Paul Hertzberg (producer)
Starring
CinematographyFrancis Grumman
Edited by Jeff Freeman
Music byThomas Chase
Steve Rucker
Distributed by CineTel Films
Release date
  • May 13, 1988 (1988-05-13)(U.S.)
Running time
94 mins.
CountryUnited States
Language English
Budget$5,000,000 (estimated)
Box office$807,947 (USA) [1]

Bulletproof is a 1988 American action film directed by Steve Carver and starring Gary Busey, Darlanne Fluegel, Henry Silva, Thalmus Rasulala, L. Q. Jones. Busey plays a reckless cop who travels to Mexico to retrieve a tank prototype hijacked by a terror group representing an alliance of anti-American powers.

Contents

Plot

Frank McBain is a Los Angeles cop and former CIA operative, who left the agency after a botched mission where his partner Jack Benson lost his life. His failure garnered him the animosity of U.S. Army lieutenant Devon Shepard, who was caught in a love triangle with the two men, and the disdain of his peers, who suspected that he may have caused his colleague's death to keep Shepard to himself. McBain has earned the nickname "Bulletproof" due to his uncanny ability to survive bullet wounds, and keeps all thirty-nine projectiles that have failed to kill him as mementos in a mason jar.

Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence has learned of the existence of a secret camp located just 300 miles south of the Mexican border, which trains various Latin American communists and Arabic insurgents, all united under the banner of the anti-American People's Liberation Army. Looking for a diplomatic justification to wipe out the camp, top army generals decide to convoy a new and virtually bulletproof tank prototype, the MBT-90 (codename "Thunderblast"), past the Mexican border and into PLA territory to entice its hijack by the militants. Oblivious to the mission's real objective, Shepard is selected to be a part of the tank's escort. A patrol of revolutionaries headed by young Captain Pantaro duly stops the convoy, but they prove more radicalized than expected: most U.S. military personnel are swiftly killed while a few survivors, including Shepard and her friend Sergeant O'Rourke, get kidnapped and taken to the PLA camp along with the MBT-90.

There, Shepard gets acquainted with two men in charge, PLA general Maximiliano Brogado and his cruel Libyan advisor Colonel Kartiff, who shows a strong distaste for the emancipation afforded to American women like her. Following that debacle, McBain is called back to the CIA and tasked with retrieving the prototype in a secret, lone-wolf operation. Upon learning that his old partner's bereaved girlfriend is among the captives, he feels compelled to redeem himself towards her, and accepts. Meanwhile, Kartiff and Brogado discover that the tank is inoperational, as it has been outfitted with an electroshock device that prevents its use by unauthorized personnel. They threaten to kill more of Shepard's squadmates if she does not disable the security.

Cast

Production

Development

Fred Olen Ray wrote the film's story under the working title Thunderblast, and was originally going to direct as part of two-picture deal with CineTel, following Cyclone . The bullet-riddled hero was lifted by Ray and frequent collaborator T.L. Lankford from one of their earlier scripts, which eventually found its own way to the screen as Deep Space . [2] According to Ray's biography, the character moment where Busey pulls a bullet from his shoulder was expanded with material excised from the equivalent scene in Deep Space , which was abridged at the request of producer Moshe Diamant due to his distaste for graphic gunshot wounds. [3]

Bulletproof was intended as a step up in class for the fledgling CineTel, and the casting director told them that Ray—who had a reputation for campy films—lacked the pedigree needed to attract the reputable star they were looking for to headline. In response, president Paul Hertzberg removed Ray from the project and assigned directorial duties to Steve Carver, who boasted more mainstream credentials. This paved the way for Gary Busey's signing, while Ray moved on to the lower-budget Commando Squad for Trans World Entertainment. Although he received financial compensation for his dismissal, his relationship with Hertzberg remained strained for several years. [3]

Filming

Busey filmed Bulletproof immediately after fulfilling his duties on Lethal Weapon , continuing the transition towards more action-oriented roles that followed his physical recovery from drug addiction. [4] Photography was originally slated for July 1986, [5] but was delayed to December 16, 1986. [6] [7] Busey mentioned wrapping up filming on the eve of an interview to The Daily Oklahoman , which was published on March 6. [4] The military vehicles, included the tank redesigned by prop maker Gene Rizzardi to become the "Thunderblast", as well as several Mexican-style sets, were rented from the Veluzat family, Hollywood veterans who owned both a movie ranch and vehicle rental service. [5] [8]

While Gary Busey had vowed to clean up his act following his personal issues, [4] Carver still found the actor difficult, which he attributed to a combination of temperament and method acting. The unusual insult "butthorn" was part of Busey's real-world vocabulary, so Carver told him to add it to the dialogue. [9] Actor René Enriquez was given the green light to participate by the producers of his regular show Hill Street Blues , and was scheduled to start filming his part on Bulletproof on January 6, 1987. However, he was unexpectedly called back to Hill Street Blues on January 5. The actor remained committed to the feature, and the showrunners worked out their schedule to accommodate him. [10]

Far more serious were the film's financial problems. The preliminary budget was pegged at $1.75 million. [11] However production butted heads with the unions and ran out of money as costs skyrocketed past the $5 million mark, which resulted in several shutdowns and confrontations over unpaid wages. [9] [11] During one such dispute on February 12, 1986, a crew member was allegedly struck by a security guard employed by CineTel, although no charges were ultimately pressed due to lack of evidence. [5] [12]

Release

The film was originally announced for August 1987. [13] A later source announced it for late February 1988. [14] The film benefited from an $1 million advertising campaign, which encompassed 300 billboards across the nation's major metropolitan centers. However, its impact was diminished when the release date, announced on the posters as April 29, 1988, was yet again delayed to May 13. [5]

Theatrical

Bulletproof opened in domestic theaters on May 13, 1988 in a limited, 263-screen release. [15] The film made $421,302 in its first weekend and finished with a gross of $807,947 at the domestic box office. [1] The film ended up being CineTel's first money loser. [11] The film's domestic bow was preceded by a limited U.K. release at select London Cannon Cinemas on December 11, 1987. [16]

Home Media

The film arrived on VHS and Betamax tapes through RCA Columbia Pictures Home Video on August 25, 1988. [17] The U.K. VHS saw an earlier release on January 22, 1988, via Virgin Vision. [18] It made its domestic DVD debut through budget publisher Platinum Disc on July 30, 2002. [19]

Reception

Bulletproof received largely negative reviews, with most critics pointing to its over-the-top nature. Michael Wilmington of the Los Angeles Times panned the film, writing that "only the opening scene has any life" and that "[i]t’s a genuine shame to watch Busey—one of the most vital character actors of the ‘70s, wasting himself in a cliche-ridden stinker like this". [20] Caryn James of the New York Times wrote: "Steve Carver has directed Bulletproof as if he were putting together a jigsaw puzzle. He tries this piece, he tries that, he hammers in the pieces that don't quite fit." [21] Robert S. Cauthorn of The Arizona Daily Star wrote that "[i]t is possible to view Bulletproof as a parody of the conventions found in the macho mania afflicting the nation's screens". However, he countered that the film "wants to woo the audience of the movies it seeks to ape. You can't have it both ways with parody." [22]

Frazier Moore of The Atlanta Constitution compared it to the then-latest installment of the Rambo franchise and wrote: "Gary's film is not better or worse than Sly's, only terrible, but quality may not matter to you. What should is knowing which film you're watching, and now you do: Bulletproof is Rambo III with a dumb grin and sensible shoes". [23] In his review syndicated through the McClatchy News Service, Joe Baltake of the Sacramento Bee praised the film, noting that Carver had "assembled a veritable treasure trove of action film/character actors" and concluding that "Bulletproof is delirious—all action, little talk and what little talk there is, is howlingly funny". [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Busey</span> American actor (born 1944)

Gary Busey is an American actor. He portrayed Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story (1978), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor. His other starring roles include A Star is Born (1976), D.C. Cab (1983), Silver Bullet (1985), Eye of the Tiger (1986), Lethal Weapon (1987), Hider in the House (1989), Predator 2 (1990), Point Break (1991), Under Siege (1992), The Firm (1993), Drop Zone (1994), Black Sheep (1996) and Lost Highway (1997).

<i>Above the Law</i> (1988 film) 1988 action film by Andrew Davis

Above the Law is a 1988 American crime action thriller film cowritten, coproduced and directed by Andrew Davis. It marked the film debut of Steven Seagal, who was also a producer, and stars Pam Grier, Sharon Stone, Ron Dean and Henry Silva. Seagal plays Nico Toscani, an ex-CIA agent, Aikido specialist and a Chicago policeman who discovers a conspiracy upon investigating the mysterious shipment of military explosives seized from a narcotics dealer.

<i>The Buddy Holly Story</i> 1978 film by Steve Rash

The Buddy Holly Story is a 1978 American biographical musical drama film directed by Steve Rash which tells the life and career of rock and roll musician Buddy Holly. It features an Academy Award-winning musical score, adapted by Joe Renzetti and Oscar-nominated lead performance by Gary Busey. The film also stars Don Stroud, Charles Martin Smith, Conrad Janis, William Jordan, and Maria Richwine, who plays María Elena Holly.

<i>Lethal Weapon</i> 1987 American film directed by Richard Donner

Lethal Weapon is a 1987 American buddy cop action-comedy film directed and co-produced by Richard Donner, written by Shane Black, and co-produced by Joel Silver. It stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover alongside Gary Busey, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, and Mitchell Ryan.

<i>Rambo III</i> 1988 film by Peter MacDonald

Rambo III is a 1988 American action film directed by Peter MacDonald and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, who also reprises his role as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo. A sequel to Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), it is the third installment in the Rambo franchise.

To be bulletproof is to embody a bulletproofing technology.

<i>Eye of the Tiger</i> (film) 1986 film by Richard C. Sarafian

Eye of the Tiger is a 1986 American action film directed by Richard C. Sarafian, and stars Gary Busey, Yaphet Kotto, Denise Galik, Seymour Cassel, William Smith, and Judith Barsi. Busey plays a wrongfully incarcerated ex-convict who fights back against the biker gang harassing his hometown and the crooked sheriff protecting them. The film marked the beginning of the actor's transition to the action roles that would epitomize his career for much of the late 1980s and 1990s.

Fred Olen Ray is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter of more than 200 low-to-medium-quality feature films in many genres, including horror, science fiction, action/adventure, erotic thrillers, crime dramas, and holiday films.

Gailard Sartain is a retired American actor who frequently played characters with roots in the South. He was a regular on the country music variety series Hee Haw. He is also known for his roles in three of the Ernest movies and the TV series Hey Vern, It's Ernest!, which ran for one season on CBS in 1988. He is also an accomplished and successful painter and illustrator.

<i>Snake Eater</i> (film) 1989 film by George Erschbamer

Snake Eater is an action thriller film directed by George Erschbamer, starring Lorenzo Lamas, Josie Bell, Robert Scott and Ronnie Hawkins. Released on March 10, 1989, it was Lamas' first action film, and Cinépix's attempt at the type of action vehicle that was popular at the time. Harkening back to the Canadian company's grindhouse roots, it infused the veteran vigilante storyline found in many contemporary films with "hicksploitation" elements, which many reviewers found distasteful but did not prevent its commercial success. Three more installments followed between 1991 and 1997.

The following are the Pulitzer Prizes for 1938.

<i>The Tomb</i> (1986 film) 1986 American film

The Tomb is a 1986 American supernatural horror film directed by Fred Olen Ray and starring Michelle Bauer, Richard Alan Hench, David Pearson and Susan Stokey. Despite being respectively given first and second billing, Cameron Mitchell only has a supporting role, and John Carradine features in single scene. Sybil Danning also only appears in the prologue, despite being prominently shown on the poster. The plot concerns an ancient Egyptian vampire who kills those in possession of artifacts stolen from her and taken to the United States by grave robbers.

<i>Cyclone</i> (1987 film) 1987 film by Fred Olen Ray

Cyclone is a 1987 science fiction action film directed by Fred Olen Ray, starring Heather Thomas, Jeffrey Combs, Martine Beswick, Huntz Hall and Martin Landau. It concerns a woman who must keep the ultimate motorcycle from falling into the wrong hands.

Space Rage, also known as Space Rage: Breakout on Prison Planet is a 1985 American space Western film directed by Conrad E. Palmisano.

Steve Carver was an American film director, producer, and photographer.

CineTel Films Inc. was an independent film production company and distributor based in West Hollywood, California.

<i>Deep Space</i> (film) 1988 American film

Deep Space is a 1988 sci-fi horror film directed by Fred Olen Ray, starring Charles Napier, Ann Turkel and Bo Svenson. Napier stars a cop trying to stop the murderous rampage of an escaped creature engineered by the government.

<i>Sharknado: The 4th Awakens</i> 2016 film by Anthony C. Ferrante

Sharknado: The 4th Awakens is a 2016 American made-for-television science fiction action comedy disaster film and the fourth installment in the Sharknado film series, following Sharknado, Sharknado 2: The Second One, and Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!. The film was directed by Anthony C. Ferrante with Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, David Hasselhoff and Ryan Newman reprising their roles from the previous installments. New people joining the cast in the film include Tommy Davidson, Masiela Lusha, Imani Hakim, Cheryl Tiegs and Gary Busey. In the film, Fin Shepard and his allies, five years after the last sharknado, contend with a group of sharknado variants, such as a "cownado" and a "lightningnado".

<i>Mind Twister</i> 1994 American film

Mind Twister is a 1994 American erotic thriller film directed by Fred Olen Ray, written by Mark Thomas McGee, and produced by Luigi Cingolani and Smart Egg Pictures.

Rainy Day Friends is a 1985 American drama film written and directed by Gary Kent, starring Esai Morales, Chuck Bail, Janice Rule, Carrie Snodgress and John Phillip Law. Morales plays a Mexican-American teenager who is suffering from cancer, and must learn to cope with the patients and staff at the hospital where he undergoes treatment. It is also known by the video title L.A. Bad.

References

  1. 1 2 "Bulletproof (1987)". boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  2. ↑ Clarke, Frederick S. (June 1987). "Phantom Empire". CineFantastique. Vol. 17, no. 3–4. Forest Park: Clarke, Frederick S. p. 17. ISSN   0145-6032.
  3. 1 2 Granger, Damien (June 2023). Fred Olen Ray: Il était une fois à Hollywood (in French). Antony: Home Team Media Group. pp. 43–44, 157.
  4. 1 2 3 Frazier, Tony (March 6, 1987). "Busey changing image with new role, weight". The Daily Oklahoman/Weekend. Oklahoma City. p. 4  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Bulletproof (1988) : History". AFI Catalogue of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Miscellaneous Notes: Bulletproof (1988)". tcm.com. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  7. ↑ Pecchia, David (December 14, 1986). "The Movie Chart". Los Angeles Times/Calendar. p. 34.
  8. ↑ voencomuezd (April 10, 2017) [May 21 2016]. "Soviet tank T-72". Шушпанцеры атакуют! (in Russian). Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Haanen, Roel (August 2020). "Steve Carver: Dangerous as Hell". theflashbackfiles.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ Beck, Marilyn (January 4, 1987). "Oscar campaign going strong early". New Mexican. Santa Fe. Tribune News Services. p. D-5  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  11. 1 2 3 Ray, Fred Olen (1991). "American Independent Productions, Inc.". The New Poverty Row: Independent Filmmakers as Distributors. Jefferson; London: McFarland & Company. p. 184. ISBN   9780899506289.
  12. ↑ "Wages Dispute Causes 'Chaos' During Lensing". Variety. March 20, 1987. pp. –.
  13. ↑ Danakas, John (March 12, 1987). "Busey finds new direction". The Winnipeg Sun. p. 19  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  14. ↑ Scott, Vernon (February 9, 1988). "Gary Busey's on the comeback trail". The Daily Item. Lynn. United Press International. p. 23  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  15. ↑ "Bulletproof advertisement". Daily News/City Lights. New York. May 8, 1988. p. 7  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  16. ↑ Mathers, Victoria (December 10, 1987). "Films". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 14  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  17. ↑ "Home video guide". The Palm Beach Post/TGIF. Profiles Publishing. August 12, 1988. p. 20.
  18. ↑ "Video". The Gloucestershire Echo. December 19, 1987. p. 9  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  19. ↑ "Bulletproof (1988): Releases". allmovie.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  20. ↑ Wilmington, Michael (May 17, 1988). "Movie Reviews : 'Bulletproof'? It's Shot Through With Holes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  21. ↑ James, Caryn (May 16, 1988). "Police vs. Guerrillas: Gary Busey in Action" . The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  22. ↑ Cauthorn, Robert S. (May 19, 1988). "'Bulletproof' looks like parody, but it is not". The Arizona Daily Star. p. 5-B, 7-B  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  23. ↑ Moore, Frazier (June 1, 1988). "Bulletproof like 2nd shot if 'Rambo III'". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3D  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
  24. ↑ Baltake, Joe (May 17, 1988). "'Bulletproof' shot full of action, wild humor". Sacramento Bee. p. –  – via newspapers.com (subscription required).
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.