Welcome to Part Two of my ongoing series exploring the mystique and joy of the 80s Action Film (approximately 1983 - 1992). Last time I presented some a selection of witty (and heroic) retorts, and now we continue the other side of the hero's journey: the villains.
And so, here are some moments from a rogues gallery of usually big-named actors who got a healthy paycheck for chewing up the scenery: from Major Dad Coach kicking karate ass, to Ben Gazzara kneeing a minion in the groin, to little-person tough guy Daniel Frishman (not the same actor from Head of the Class, obviously), to Lance Henriksen delivering one of the best bad-guy lines of all time. Though the baddest bad-guy of all has to be the last clip featured here, with legendary character actor Richard Lynch (oh so memorable to 80s film buffs for his role in The Sword and The Sorcerer). Now that guy takes evil to an all new level.
Anyone care to name all the films?
Gotta love that, in the background of the Frishman/"Lone Wolf McQuade" scene, they're playing Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Reed Pipes" from the Nutcracker.
Posted by: Seb | July 18, 2009 at 01:19 AM
I loved those witty remarks from villains who had more sense of humor than the heroes themselves!! I liked Alan Rickman more than Bruce Willis in Die Hard!!
Posted by: josh patel | July 18, 2009 at 03:55 AM
lovin these cliche montages. what movie is that last clip from?
Posted by: Dave | July 18, 2009 at 12:42 PM
The last clip is from Invasion USA.
Posted by: Clinton McClung | July 18, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Another menacing line delivered by Lance in "Stone Cold"; "I will peel your skin off with a knife dipped in shit." Yikes!
Posted by: Jeffersonic | July 18, 2009 at 11:46 PM
thanks clinton - can't wait for the next one!
Posted by: Dave | July 18, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Yes! Been waiting for the next installment. Life may continue.
Posted by: James Bamberger | July 19, 2009 at 11:38 AM
It's not Major Dad. It's the guy from the show "Coach".
Thanks. Can't wait for part three!
Posted by: corey | July 20, 2009 at 03:25 PM
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Villains
Posted by: mark | July 21, 2009 at 07:06 AM
Does anybody know where the first clip is from? It's... amazing.
Posted by: Ryan | March 15, 2010 at 04:01 PM
If anyone cares to know... the first clip was from Quiet Cool.
Posted by: Ryan | April 21, 2010 at 03:42 AM