A Force of One

A Force of One is a 1979 American action martial arts film starring Chuck Norris, Jennifer O'Neill, Ron O'Neal, Clu Gulager and Bill Wallace. The film was directed by Paul Aaron and written by Pat E. Johnson and Ernest Tidyman.[5]

A Force of One
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Aaron
Produced byAlan Belkin
Written byPat E. Johnson
Ernest Tidyman
StarringJennifer O'Neill
Chuck Norris
Clu Gulager
Ron O'Neal
Bill Wallace
Music byDick Halligan
CinematographyRoger Shearman
Edited byBert Lovitt
Distributed byAmerican Cinema Releasing
Release date
June 21, 1979
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2.5 million[1] or $3.5 million[2]
Box office$17 million[1] or
$20.2 million[3] or
$23 million[4]

Plot

When a team of undercover narcotics officers is targeted by a serial killer, the police recruit karate champion Matt Logan to bring the murders to an end. Narcotics Officer Amanda "Mandy" Rust (Jennifer O'Neill) discovers that a traitor within the police ranks is behind the killings.

Cast

Reception

Critical response

Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote, "Though plot is far-fetched and production values aren't much superior to tv fare, likable protagonists and strong karate sequences will carry the day with the intended audience."[7] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called it "a swift, taut, handsomely photographed thriller... made with more craftmanship than most martial arts movies."[8] Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune gave the film two stars out of four and dismissed it "just a poor excuse for a lot of fighting."[9] K.C. Summers of The Washington Post wrote, "It's pretty good. Not only does it move along at a faster clip than many a higher-budget film, but it's done without a lot of gore — no small feat in a martial arts movie ... Another plus is that the romantic leads, Jennifer O'Neill and Chuck Norris, actually seem to like one another; they're relaxed and at ease before the camera, and their scenes together are a pleasure to watch."[10]

Norris said he was "ten times better in" the film than in his previous film Good Guys Wear Black.[11]

The film was written by Ernest Tidyman who in a 1980 interview considered it his least successful effort as a craftsman. "I only wrote it to buy my mother a house." he said, although financially it was one of his biggest hits.[12]

See also

References
  1. Broeske, P. H. (May 19, 1985). "Chuck Norris—An All-American Hit". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 154169712.
  2. Goldman, Stuart (June 29, 1980). "Movies: Martial-Arts Films: Alive and Kicking". Los Angeles Times. p. y28.
  3. "A Force of One – Box Office Data". The Numbers. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  4. Drooz, A. (Mar 12, 1981). "Chuck norris aims for stardom". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 152733428.
  5. "Force of One, A". Monthly Film Bulletin. 47 (552). London. Jan 1, 1980. p. 67.
  6. McLellan, Dennis (2004-01-17). "'Superfly' actor Ron O'Neal, '70s blaxploitation film star". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  7. "McCarthy, Todd (July 4, 1979). "Film Reviews: A Force Of One". Variety. 24".
  8. Thomas, Kevin. (Mar 7, 1980). "CHUCK NORRIS IN 'A FORCE OF ONE'". Los Angeles Times. p. h11.
  9. Siskel, Gene (February 22, 1980). "Siskel's Flicks Picks". Chicago Tribune. Section 3, p. 12.
  10. Summers, K.C. (October 12, 1979). "'A Force of One' Gets By Without Gore, Until the End". The Washington Post. Weekend, p. 39.
  11. Groen, Rick (16 June 1979). "Karate champion now has 2 films under his black belt". The Globe and Mail. p. 35.
  12. Spence, Betty (June 22, 1980). "ERNEST TIDYMAN'S PEN MIGHTIER THAN MOST". Los Angeles Times. p. t6.
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