FORCE: FIVE

US, 1981, 96 minutes, Colour.
Joe Lewis, Bong Boo San.
Directed by Robert Clouse.

Force: Five is yet another martial arts action adventure directed and written by Robert Clouse. He made the classic Enter the Dragon and other entertaining action thrillers e.g. The Big Brawl. This film has the usual ingredients: tough hero, tough heroine, special squad, skill in the martial arts, but is based very much on the Jonestown experience and the emphasis on religious cults in the United States during the '70s. What the film offers is standard fare - but well done of its kind.

1. The popularity of the martial arts action adventure? The influence of the Hong Kong examples?

2. The basic storyline: troubled situation, violence, the recruiting of the hero and his team, infiltration, action adventure and resolution of the crisis? The use of the conventions and audience enjoyment of them? How different was this film: the background of religious cults, young Americans being caught up in them, the financial implications? The Reverend Rhee and his mad scientist background? Power and greed? The fight with the drug-crazed bull at the end?

3. Colour photography, locations? The special effects for the martial arts sequences? The score?

4. The background of religious cults: Cindy and her reaction against her industrialist father, the senatorial investigation into the cult, her being caught up in the cult, training, details of the way of life, brainwashing? John and his friendship - and the revelation that he was a journalist? His torture and death? Cindy's puzzle? Her doubts - and her final rescue? Symbolising the youngsters caught up in the cults?

5. The Reverend Rhee and his "Retreat of Heavenly Bliss", the island fortress? His message of universal love and his power over the young cultists? His seeming charm? Sinister background? His staff? The antagonism towards industrialists, senators? His exposure and the final confrontation?

6. The presentation of Jerry Martin - martial arts hero in the conventional style? His being recruited? Conditions? The various members of his team? men, women? Their skills, training, bonding together? Infiltration, action? The build-up to the final confrontation?

7. The expose of religious cults and their fanaticism, money-making, the peddling of drugs and guns?

8. William Stark and his losing his legs, antagonism towards Rhee, the recruiting of Jerry Martin? His death? The violence?

9. The climax with the bull in the labyrinth? (The echo of Theseus confronting the Minotaur?) The mythical heroism of Jerry Martin in the final confrontation? The filming and effects of this chase and fight?

10. Martial arts films and their comic book style? A '70s version of myths and heroes, villains? Contemporary good versus evil?