JAKE SPEED

US, 1986, 100 minutes, Colour.
Wayne Crawford, Dennis Christopher, John Hurt, Leon Ames, Monte Markham, Barry Primus, Millie Perkins.
Directed by Andrew Lane.

Jake Speed is a derivative of the Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones films as well as Romancing the Stone. It is the work of two men who take the roles of star, writer, producer and director. On the whole, the film does not work - the spoof is quite unfunny. The central roles are not particularly sympathetic - although John Hurt enjoys himself with relish as a larger-than-life villain. Monte Markham, Barry Primus and Millie Perkins appear briefly as the family in America.

There are African locations, a range of adventures - but, unfortunately, what may have been good on paper doesn't work well on screen. Jake Speed is no rival to Indiana Jones.

1. The impact of the film? Entertainment? Style?

2. The United States, Africa - locations, action, stunts? M1usical score?

3. The tradition of Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone? The film's derivative style? The gung-ho hero? The quest? The use of the writing of novels for adventures?

4. The opening, the kidnapping, the American family? friend? Jake and Des and their mission?

5. Maggie and Jake and Des and the writing of the novels, Maggie seeing the novel at the bookstand? The idea of an adventure in Africa? Jake and Des and their style, the ugly and glum surroundings in which they find themselves, plans, fights, the slavers? The contrast with Sid and fighting him? Action, chases? How well defined as comic strip heroes?

6. Maggie, her concern about her sister, the effect of Jake and Des, the novels, going to Africa, the humour of the trip, captured, the squalid surroundings, her escape, being taken by Rodrigo, with Sid, finding her sister, the action sequences?

7. Sid and Morris as villains, their style, wealth, outwitting Jake and Des, the fights, the lions, the bullet-proof vest, the chase, the airport - and Sid's death in the plane?

8. The end and Maggie and her return to the U.S., discussions with her friend, buying the book about herself at the stand?

10. The tradition of larger-than-life action adventures, the spoof and send-up, the touches of' humour? The success of this film? Failure?