Wanted: Dead or Alive
Tags: neo noir, revenge, cruelty, murder, violence

Plot synopsis:
Josh Randall (McQueen) is a Confederate veteran and bounty hunter with a soft heart. He often donates his earnings to the needy and helps his prisoners if they have been wrongly accused.
Randall carries a shortened Winchester Model 1892 carbine called the "Mare's Leg" in a holster patterned after "gunslinger" rigs then popular in movies and television. Randall can draw and fire his weapon with blazing speed. Three Mare's Legs were used in the series, differing in the shape of the lever and the barrel.
Although Randall is a bounty hunter, he doesn't chase and capture only men on wanted posters. He also settles a family feud, frees unjustly jailed or sentenced men, helps an amnesia victim recover his memory, and finds missing husbands, sons, fathers, a fiancée, a suitor, a daughter who had been captured many years earlier by Indians, an Army deserter, a pet sheep, and even Santa Claus. This variety, as well as his pursuit of justice and not just money, contributed to the show's attraction and popularity.
Except for a few episodes at the beginning of the series, Randall rode a horse named Ringo.
Several episodes in 1960 included a sidekick named Jason Nichols (Wright King), a deputy sheriff turned bounty hunter. He and Randall worked well together on-screen, sharing a chemistry audiences enjoyed. By the start of the third season, Nichols had been dropped. The episode called "The Partners", where Nichols killed three men that Randall felt could have been taken alive, is often considered the episode that broke up the partnership, although that was actually only the second episode with Wright King and long before the last episode he appeared in.

Review: Rutger Hauer's time as an action hero was short-lived.The film's low budget roots can't be missed but there are enough strong performances from the cast to carry the movie.
To say his crib is cool is the understatement of the year.Gene Simmons delivers the goods as a thoroughly nasty baddie.Great '80s "B"-movie fun..
The '80's however seems to have been his decade and this film is a pretty good outing for him.It is in the B-Movie range, for sure, but it works well.
The action and pacing of the film works well, and frankly the subject matter couldn't be more up-to-date.I wish they were making more movies like this today where the terrorists get what they deserve and the audience can enjoy the pay back and feel like they are participating in the action.The very end of the film is great and it certainly is a statement that works even better today.
I think most people would feel the same way as Rutger does at the end of this movie and want to do the same thing.
After making his mark playing vicious characters in NIGHTHAWKS, THE HITCHER and FLESH + BLOOD, Rutger Hauer plays the hero in a solid action thriller,set in LA.
Gene Simmons gives an understated, menacing performance as the terrorist and there's some good action..
When watching the film again all these years later, unlike most movies, I actually got more from it than the first time I saw it.
He is a strong man and yet he's a caring friend to fellow actor William Russ's character ((the L.A. officer Danny Quintz and even Agent Walker of the F.B.I. who considers him a 'Friend' for over 15 years)) the most impressive part(s) to me are when you can feel the emotionally-loaded response from Hauer's 'Randall'.
Even with Simmons who plays well, he knows being an Israeli what it feels like to have a terrorist organization plotting to destroy your very existence.An incredible action movie that blows doors off of many others in this film 'genre'.
A good Rutger Hauer action movie from the 80's..
This one though has Hauer as the good guy and Gene Simmons as the bad guy.
I loved watching Hauer as Nick Randall do his thing.
Steve McQueen had died in 1980, and the buzz about the Wanted Dead or Alive movie started around 1984.Sadly, the movie had nothing of the spirit of Josh Randall at all.
Hauer is very methodical, his style is closer to Hunter, or Walker Texas Ranger than to the original Josh Randall.The action is typical of a Chuck Norris movie, The A-Team TV series, or Hunter TV series.
Helping largely is the charismatic performance of Rutger Hauser as a former CIA agent turned bounty hunter on the trail of international terrorist planting bombs around L.A, which is played with menacing glee by Gene Simmons.
Director / co-writer Gary Sherman (""Vice Squad", "Dead & Buried" and "Death Line") keeps it tightly engaging with well-timed, punishing action set-pieces that pack a punch and devious plotting keeps one step ahead.
Good guy Rutger fighting arch villain Gene Simmons.
An exciting movie if you're a Rutger Hauer fan.
Having only a passing tie to the late '50's/ early 60's Steve McQueen helmed TV show of the same name (Nick is Josh grandson or some such nonsense), this movie is a mean and violent little number has B-movie mainstay Rutger Hauer starring as Nick Randall, a tough talking, no nonsense, 'my way or the highway' type bounty hunter who comes out of retirement at the request of Benson..sorry I mean Robert Guillaume (who always has some of the best lines in the movie as Philmore Walker) to apprehend a nefarious terrorist Arab (played ironically by Gene Simmons).
The former CIA operative in the Middle East Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer) is presently a bounty hunter in Los Angeles.
After a terrorist attack in a movie theater, Randall is assigned to catch the evil terrorist, Malak Al Rahim (Gene Simmons), who has killed more than 140 persons in his attempt.
But Randall now seeks revenge against Malak."Wanted: Dead or Alive" is a B-movie full of clichés, but supported by good actors.
and this is one of my favorites, although he look really big and out of shape he adds some real gravity and feeling to the lead role and his nemesis played by Gene Simmons is very effetive.Full of sensational one-liners, delievered with an absolute straight face by all involved, it is fast, furious, 80's action.My personal favorite (used it the other day) "next time give me a kiss before you f*ck me".In fact I'm off to the video store to rent it right now.Jimbo.
It's the song playing when Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer) drives his Caddilac Seville into his secret loft, gets out and shoots a basketball.
A rather convoluted and tedious 'action' movie from the 80s, Wanted: Dead or Alive stars Rutger Hauer as Nick Randall, a tough-as-nails bounty hunter on the trail of nasty Arab terrorists (led by Malak Al Rahim played by Gene Simmons), who are out and about in L.A. blowing up innocent people.Hauer is his usual reliable self, and turns in a good performance as the hardboiled ex-CIA operative who makes his living bringing in the bad guys any way he can.
But with its rather dull script and pedestrian direction from Gary Sherman, even they can't save this movie from being a less than average production.Apart from a few bits of nasty violence, and a nifty ending which sees Randall wreaking revenge on Malak Al Rahim in explosive fashion, Wanted: Dead or Alive is a pretty forgettable movie..
It rarely stands out as one of Rutger Hauer's more iconic film roles, and that's a shame really because having revisited this some 3 decades later, it's really a pretty great little film.
If there's anything it's known for, it will more than likely be the fact that Gene Simmons plays the villain, here as a Middle Eastern terrorist who has a vendetta against Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer)., a bounty hunter.
Lastly, the whole Middle Eastern (Delta Force) terrorist angle obviously wouldn't play today, but it's interesting to see how often this idea was used in films back in the 80's, and how easy they made it look.Gene Simmons never really broke out into acting the way he really could have, more often than not playing himself in television show guest stints, but he did score a few memorable roles as a villain (all in the 80's) in cult classics like Runaway, Never Too Young To Die and this one.
The film looks fantastic, and Simmons is a great villain, but it's Hauer who elevates this film to far beyond your average 80's action/thriller.
If there was one thing I would have changed, it's that I probably would have liked just a bit more action, but that's not in any way a complaint, because as it stands, W:DoA is a fantastic film, with enough thriller and action elements to keep you entertained, on top of everything else you get such as a sharp script and memorable performances.
Oh well.This one of those rare movies where Rutger Hauer plays a hero not the villain .
The terrorists here get what they deserve.Rutger Hauer is charismatic as Nick Randall , yet he gives he's character a depth that is not often seen in this kind of movies.
They have a decent support from Robert Guillaume ( CIA officer Walker ) , William Russ (sergeant Danny Quintz ) and Jerry Hardin (incompetent CIA leader Lipton ).Nick Randall is quite cool character .
There are also two great songs : "Live bait " by Delaney Bramlett (during the opening credits) and " Doncha know that " by Simon Stokes ( when Nick is in his hideout).Both were also composed by Renzetti ."Wanted dead or alive" has some good 80's atmosphere and un-PC moments.
It's a gritty thriller about terrorists in Los Angeles and has some excellent action scenes and bounty hunts that take advantage of Hauer's unique ability.The director, Gary Sherman, borrowed some scenes out of Walter Hill's The Driver which helped to add to the tension and the story was convincing and well played out by the cast.
The story had plenty of meaning to it, the guy slips up and he gets his revenge.If you decide to get this, don't read the back cover, just watch it and you'll find that it's a good action picture and worth seeing..
The stage curtains open ...This movie, I guess, is a continuation of the television series back in the late 50's by the same name where Steve McQueen played the part of Josh Randall.
In this 1987 film, Rutger Hauer plays a bounty hunter named Nick Randall, a descendant of Josh Randall.
Other than the fact that both characters are related to each other and are both bounty hunters, there really is nothing else similar between them - so we'll just drop the whole Steve McQueen / Rutger Hauer comparison since there is none.Nick is tasked with finding and either eliminating, or bringing in the terrorist Malak Al Rahim (played by Gene Simmons) after he blows up a movie theater, killing 138 people.
The race is on to see who can get to who first.This is your typical Rutger Hauer action movie - so if you are fan of his work, then you would probably love this one.
Gene Simmons did a decent job as the villainous terrorist, but for the most part he seemed more preoccupied with looking and acting "cool" in his part rather than just allowing himself to become realistic in his role.
Pretty good 80's action with Rutger Hauer as leading man.
Wanted Dead Or Alive is a pretty cool 80's action flick and starring vehicle for Rutger Hauer.
Hauer is Nick Randall, ex CIA, self employed bounty hunter and bad ass.
Playing cold and psychotic terrorist Malak Al Rahim is Gene Simmons, who did a great job here as villain.
I, for the most part think Rutger Hauer is best as a villain, but he does a pretty good job as the heroic lead in this film.
I would not regard this as one of my all time favorites, but Wanted Dead Or Alive is a pretty solid and entertaining action movie..
a bounty hunter(Rutger Hauer)takes on a terrorist(Gene Simmons).while it's refreshing to see Hauer in a non bad guy role,there's not much else to recommend this movie.
I love Rutger and I liked him here and Simmons playing international terrorist, Malak Al Re Haeim, whatever, was even better here than in Runaway.
Benson's Robert Guiliamme as Nick Randall's (Hauer) old friend and agency buddy, enlists him to take down Malak, offering a big fee, of course, and when it becomes personal, we so much want Rutger to dispose of this piece of s..t in one unforgettable bit of dialogue, in unforgettable finale, the minutes lead up, compulsive viewing.
Rutger pulling into his car elevator, taking him up into his big impressive loft, while listening to a rock track, I still keep playing in my head from time to time, was one cool scene, as was him taking down a wanted roughneck, robbing a liquor store, that had Hauer trailing him, prior.
Are main character (the guy from blade runner that wasn't Harrison Ford) is a bounty hunter who has a mark on his head from a terrorist played by none other then Gene Simmons (you know it is a winner if you have that weird guy from Kiss as one of the main characters).
I like Rutger Hauer (the guy from blade runner) in other films such as LadyHawke and the Hitcher, but he is not a action star so I do not know why he tries to be.
If you like explosions and mediocre storytelling with Gene Simmons as your bad guy then you will love Wanted: Dead or Alive.
As well, I'm proud that my tiny little country has the honor to be asked for an actor like Rutger Hauer in a big American movie.
This movie is about a man who is the descendant of the character, Josh Randall from the television series, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, who was played by Steve McQueen.
(57%) Hauer plays a super-cool bounty hunter taking on an international terrorist (played by real life jerk Gene Simmons) in the exact same way he'd play a super cool dentist, or a super cool zookeeper, in that he doesn't even need to really try.
The plot echoes the absurd Arnie movie "Collateral damage", only here it works a little better, as a bounty hunter taking in a terrorist is more likely than a fireman.
The acting is bad, the story has been done but Gene Simmons does make the perfect terrorist.
Rutger Hauer stars as Nick Randall, a bounty hunter, ex-CIA, called into a case to capture(..dead, preferably alive)a wanted terrorist, Malak Al Rahim(..played by Gene Simmons, an undeniably good heavy)whose Arab organization is bombing selected locations across Los Angeles.
When Malak kills Randall's girlfriend and cop buddy(..a boat bombing intended for him), it gets personal.The premise is pretty much a by-the-numbers actioner, a skilled hunter after a dangerous terrorist and his dedicated followers while the CIA often look foolish in their attempts to capture their quarry themselves.
The real fun for me, being a Rutger Hauer fan, is seeing the man do his thing..he's perfect for a role such as this, a specialist at hunting down and securing the dregs and lowlifes of society, dangerous criminals the police have a hard time capturing, often earning a wealthy pay day in the process.
Jerry Hardin has the stereotypical role of incompetent CIA leader, Lipton, needing the help of others to catch the bad guys..how he uses Randall as bait in an attempt to get to Malak bares extra emphasis on the joy of seeing him fail at his job.
So this film practically gets over on the lead character alone.So all the movie has to do is give him something to do, and someone to be against.
Loved ones are killed or injured, Hauers gets madder and madder, Simmons leers and capers, it turns out that the authorities are double crossing our Hero, giving him even more reason to take off the kid gloves...any one who has ever watched 'renegade cop on the edge' movies can predict how this one will end.
As much as I love Rutger Hauer, I just couldn't enjoy this movie.
Rugged bounty hunter Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer in top two-fisted form) gets used as bait by the CIA so they can apprehend nefarious terrorist Malik Al Rahim (well played with deliciously wicked relish by Gene Simmons).
Despite the title, this movie really has no similarity to the TV show WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.
There didn't seem to be much plot--just Gene Simmons killing a lot of people and the good guy(?) Rutger Hauer doing the same in the name of law and order!
Don't watch this film!PS--Instead of Gene Simmons from KISS, using the actress Jean Simmons might have made this movie a lot more interesting!
Nick Randall (Hauer) is an ex-CIA agent and bounty hunter.
He even has what may be the first car GPS seen on a movie screen.It was also nice to see Gene Simmons looking slick, and while he himself is Jewish, he plays an Islamic terrorist.
The terror aspect of the film is still relevant, but this movie has too much padding and needed more action.
First there was a TV show called Wanted Dead Or Alive, made in the late 1950s, with an upcoming young star named Steve McQueen playing heroic Wild West bounty hunter Josh Randall.
Here, in this 1987 actioner, the events take place in modern times and Rutger Hauer's character is named Nick Randall.
Wanted Dead Or Alive is an ultra-mindless, ultra-pointless offering that makes one grind one's teeth with despair.Ex-CIA operative Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer) now works as a lone-wolf bounty hunter in L.A. He lives in between jobs in a huge warehouse full of motorcycles and gym equipment.
Rahim doesn't take too kindly to the interference of this bounty hunter and kills a few of his nearest and dearest, leaving Randall so angry that he forsakes his money and goes after his adversary purely for the personal satisfaction of it.Wanted Dead Or Alive is a pretty awful movie on most levels.
In a movie like Die Hard, which came a year later, the cat-and-mouse psychology played out between hero and villain gives the story a sense of focus and creates real tension.
Gene Simmons as the Arab terrorist looks suitably wild, but beyond that it's a nothing of a role.
Does it irk Gene Simmons that two of his first "serious" motion pictures (RUNAWAY and WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE) are names of Bon Jovi songs?
Simmons has a small key role in the Gary Sherman-directed "actioner" WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE.
He plays the Arab villain, Malak Al Rahim, intent on causing terrorist chaos in Los Angeles seemingly for the sake of giving hero Rutger Hauer someone to pursue.
No motivation on the villain's part is the first sign that this movie smells much like working out next to a hairy-backed Middle Easterner in the gym.Blond, blue-eyed Hauer is bounty hunter Nick Randall, supposedly continuing the legacy of Steve McQueen in the TV series of the same name; he's ex-CIA, combat-rugged and as weirdly pansexual as ever.
And we don't care.WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE begins that drab period in Hauer's career where we see him popping up in every piece of crap that required a blond, pansexual action hero.
Strangely, the man to watch in this movie is KISS martinet Gene Simmons.
You might understandably think that a movie concerning a bounty hunter (played by Rutger Hauer) clashing with an Arab terrorist (played by Gene Simmons) would be lively and entertaining.