This month marks the 40th anniversary of *Red Dawn*, a film that shocked audiences with its premise: high school students become freedom fighters after the Soviet Union invades America. Co-written and directed by John Milius, the film tells the story of these teenagers, known as the Wolverines, who stand against the Soviet occupation of their hometown in Calumet, Colorado. While *Red Dawn* wasn’t a box office smash upon its release, it has enjoyed a lasting presence on cable and streaming services. Although initially criticized, the film has received some critical reappraisal over the past four decades.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, let’s delve into *Red Dawn* to assess its enduring appeal. The film boasts a stellar cast, capturing the essence of 1980s cinema. While not a Brat Pack movie, *Red Dawn* features a quintessential group of young actors who rose to prominence in the decade, including Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, Jennifer Grey, and C. Thomas Howell. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with memorable performances from Powers Boothe, Harry Dean Stanton, and Ron O’Neal.
The spotlight primarily falls on Swayze and Sheen as Jed and Matt Eckert, teenage brothers leading the Wolverines in guerrilla warfare against the Soviet invaders. However, the film also invests time in developing other members of the group, fostering audience investment in their fate.
*Red Dawn* reflects the anxieties of the late Cold War. In hindsight, the idea of a full-scale Soviet invasion of the U.S. seems absurd. But during the Cold War, the fear of World War III was deeply ingrained in the public consciousness. By the mid-1980s, nuclear war wasn’t the primary concern, though it remained a potential threat. *Red Dawn* arrived at the perfect time to offer American audiences an invasion story that many believed impossible. The film cleverly draws upon real-world European invasions to depict Soviet tactics and even features American residents turning on each other, making this aspect feel remarkably realistic.
The film doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war. The Wolverines, initially experiencing success against the invaders, begin to view the conflict as a game. However, this perspective shifts as the battle for their home becomes increasingly real and brutal. The film explores betrayals, deaths, and even conflict amongst the Wolverines, adding a somber layer to the narrative. While some critics dismiss *Red Dawn* as a jingoistic teenage *Rambo* fantasy, the outcome is far from a fairy tale. This is a war story, and war, as the film depicts, is a place of immense loss and suffering.
One notable aspect of *Red Dawn* is its avoidance of portraying all invaders as monolithic villains. Ernesto Bella (Ron O’Neal), a Colonel in the Cuban Revolutionary Army, is given a small but meaningful arc, revealing his growing disillusionment with the war and its underlying ideology. While Ernesto never fully turns against his Soviet masters, he makes a choice towards the end that provides a glimmer of redemption.
The film’s ending is both bleak and hopeful. While *Red Dawn* might not conclude with the Wolverines liberating their town, its ending is far from fantastical. Instead, it offers a realistic resolution to the characters’ journey, suggesting the potential for American survival despite overwhelming odds.
In 2012, *Red Dawn* received a remake. However, despite the presence of Chris Hemsworth, the reboot lacks the star power, gravitas, and cultural significance of the original. The 2012 film’s inability to portray China as the invading force due to studio concerns regarding the Chinese market led to the substitution of North Korean forces. The remake’s ending is less satisfying and oddly feels even more jingoistic than the original. The filmmakers behind the 2012 *Red Dawn* were unwilling to take the same creative risks as their predecessors.
This is why the original *Red Dawn* remains relevant 40 years later. It’s a film that captured a moment in time, reflecting the fears and anxieties of the Cold War era. It’s a film that continues to resonate with audiences who seek a story of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
