Movie Description
In Karel Reisz's film, based on Robert Stone's novel DOG SOLDIERS, John Converse (Michael Moriarty), a Marine combat veteran, returns to Vietnam as a war correspondent. He is overwhelmed by the challenges that face him, and so he decides that in an insane world, it makes sense to to smuggle heroin into the United States, and joins in with a conspiracy group suspected to have CIA connections. His ex-marine buddy, Ray Hicks (Nick Nolte), now a merchant marine sailor, helps him smuggle the heroin to San Francisco. When Ray delivers the drugs to John's wife Marge (Tuesday Weld), thugs disguised as Federal agents steal the drugs. Outraged at being double crossed, Hicks takes Marge with him on the run, followed now by real CIA agents. In their flight through the drug underworld of L.A. and down into New Mexico, Hicks discovers that Marge is a junkie herself. Though she is physically weak, she nonetheless possesses an inner strength to match Hick's exterior strength. Nolte, in one of his first staring roles, is unequaled in his expression of intelligence and sensitivity, while being simultaneously tougher than nails.
Reisz keeps the action and characters in the forefront, and in doing so keeps this heavily allegorical story about the corrupting effect of the Vietnam War on America from collapsing under its own weight.
| Credits | | Producer: | Gabriel Katzka, Herb Jaffe | | Cast: | Anthony Zerbe, David Opatoshu, Nick Nolte, Ray Sharkey, Richard Masur |
Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Letterboxed - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono - English
Dolby Digital Mono - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer, Theatrical Release: August 2, 1978.
On the video box cover Nolte is shown walking along the railroad tracks. This is an homage to Neal Cassidy, the legendary beat character who died walking on the railroad tracks in Mexico.
The title of the film comes from the song by The Credence Clearwater Revival which is used in the film.
Editorial Reviews
"The acting is superb....Here, Reisz preserved the frightening story, [and] made his best film..."
Uncut - Brian Case (04/01/2005)
Ranked #15 in Uncut's Best DVDs Of 2005 -- "[I]t gave Nick Nolte his first great role..."
Uncut - Uncut Staff (01/01/2006)
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