The Final Option (1983) MGM/Action-Thriller RT: 125 minutes Rated R (language, strong violence) Director: Ian Sharp Screenplay: Reginald Rose Music: Roy Budd Cinematography: Phil Meheux Release date: September 16, 1983 (US) Cast: Lewis Collins, Judy Davis, Richard Widmark, Edward Woodward, Robert Webber, Tony Doyle, John Duttine, Kenneth Griffith, Rosalind Lloyd, Ingrid Pitt, Norman Rodway. Box Office: $2.6M (US)
Rating: ***
It’s hard to say exactly why the British action-thriller The Final Option (aka Who Dares Win) failed to find an audience during its US release. Maybe it was the lack of big name stars in the lead roles? Lewis Collins (The Professionals) and Judy Davis (My Brilliant Career) are hardly household names. The biggest names in the movie- Richard Widmark (Kiss of Death), Edward Woodward (The Wicker Man) and Robert Webber (The Dirty Dozen)- have limited screen time. It could be that it wasn’t another mindless action vehicle that put violence and mayhem ahead of plot and development. Or it could’ve simply been a case of bad luck. Whatever it was, The Final Option was a one-week wonder. I didn’t see it until it premiered on cable the following year. It’s a damn good action movie.
A militant group, led by Rod Walker (Duttine, The Devil’s Crown) and Frankie Leith (Davis), attached to an anti-nuclear movement is planning something big. After an undercover agent from British security forces is killed during a protest march, SAS (Special Air Service) is called upon to find out what. Captain Peter Skellen (Collins) is selected to go undercover as a disgraced SAS officer recently dismissed from the agency. He seeks out Frankie at a nightclub frequented by members of radical groups and expresses interest in joining their terrorist organization, the PL (People’s Lobby). She likes the idea of Skellen having useful inside intel that would be an asset to their upcoming mission. Walker, on the other hand, doesn’t trust him. Ultimately, Skellen’s cover is blown and he’s forced to join them in taking over the US Embassy and holding important government officials hostage until their demands are met. Obviously, the SAS (aka “the final option”) will be brought in to put an end to the siege.
The Final Option is not a perfect movie. It moves slowly at times. The whole idea of an anti-nuke group demanding that such a weapon be used in the name of their cause is both hypocritical and ludicrous. It appears that this group really doesn’t understand their own cause. They’re just a bunch of misguided youths who get in way over their heads and leave British authorities with no other choice but to order a final solution. At least, that’s the impression I got watching and listening to them as Skellen attends their gatherings as a means of ingratiating himself with Frankie. To their credit, they’re reasonably intelligent if somewhat naïve. Their plan is well thought out. The way they manage to sneak onto the ambassador’s property in plain view is pretty cool. They also know how to handle automatic weapons which makes for a nice action-packed finale.
The screenplay by Reginald Rose (The Sea Wolves) is smart and well-written even if the story is a little convoluted. Skellen is a thinking man’s action hero. Instead of jumping into the situation with guns blazing, he works his way into the PL by way of subterfuge. In order to earn their trust, he has to do some terrible things and make them believe that he’s on their side. Skellen bides his time, waiting for the right moment to spring into action. If he acts prematurely, it could jeopardize his mission as well as the safety of his family being held captive by group members to ensure his full cooperation. I like action movies that take their time in developing an intelligent, exciting and suspenseful story. It’s clear from his work on The Final Option that director Ian Sharp knows his way around an action sequence. Maintaining a coherent narrative is another story. Let’s just say it’s not his strong suit. He would go on to helm the action scenes in GoldenEye including the opening where Pierce Brosnan (as James Bond) jumps from a dam.
Collins does a fine job as Skellen, a seasoned SAS agent with a lot riding on his successful completion of his undercover assignment. Davis, in an early role, is very good as the young radical/terrorist who believes so deeply in her cause, she’s willing to die for it. As Rod, Duttine does fine work. His villain, a lethal combination of intelligent and insane, is rendered even more dangerous by his power to manipulate weak-willed persons into thinking his cause is just. Of course, if he had any common sense at all, he’d realize his misguided mission has no chance of succeeding. If it did by some fluke, the long term effects would be fatal to a lot of innocent people. It could be that he simply doesn’t care.
The casting of big names in small parts is a classic 70s move. Say it with me; “Henry Fonda as The President”. Widmark, playing the US Secretary of State, receives third billing even though he doesn’t show up until the last 40 minutes to inform the terrorists the outcome will be bad for them. That’s really all he gets to do. Oh well, it was great seeing him act again even if for just a few minutes.
The Final Option fits in the same category as Marathon Man and Black Sunday, two action-thrillers from the 70s that I love. Sadly, audiences lost interest in such films as the 80s wore on. They wanted the instant gratification provided by actioners starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chuck Norris and Charles Bronson. I enjoy that kind of action flick too, but there’s something to be said for the likes of The Final Option. It might be hard to find these days, but it might be worth seeking out if you like this style of action movie.
