Customer Reviews

Ruckus

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Just a little spooky, not to mention blatant, when you compare this movie and Sylvester Stallones "First Blood" and realise that "Ruckus" was made 2 years earlier. Unfortunately this movie was not the huge smash hit that "First Blood" was due to studio problems, delayed release and little, if any advertising. However, I am throwing forth a challenge.....watch both these movies today and you will realise that only one of them stood the test of time. Clue for you.....it wasn't "First Blood". Where this movie is still entertaining, the other seems amateurish at best.
The lack of graphic violence in "Ruckus" works in it's favour, with bloodshed impled more-so than filling the screen. Also, the odds are a little more believable, what with one man versus 2 or 3 police officers and a couple of car loads of redneck hoons as opposed to Stallones victory over an entire small cities police force and numerous army divisions. Another thing that works well in Ruckus is the introduction of a female presence, being none other than the scrumptious Linda Blair, and a light romance plot line making it more female friendly. Most girls who would refuse to sit through a Rambo flick wouldn't mind watching this even though there isn't enough romance to make it soppy. You've gotta love a romance played out on dirt bikes :-)
The commentary on the DVD is enjoyable also. When the movies maker and lead actor and actress get together, you can feel the sense of fun they had making this movie. They chat about the plot line, budget, competition and good times had by all making this fun little flick.
All in all, if you are the sort of person that let's box office takings and talentless movie reviewers make your decisions for you, I recommend you steer clear. If you like making your own decisions and enjoy good, pure entertainment, go for it. A truly fun movie ! BRAVO !

This is the best action/comedy movie ever made in my opinion. If you like Rambo you will love Ruckus. It gets better every time I watch it. I have been looking for Ruckus for a long time to buy for my collection.

If you like action movies, but don't like a lot of carnage, this is the one for you! A simple story of a Vietnam Vet who comes through town only to get picked on by the local "good ole boys" and ends up in a small-scale war with them, it's also humorous. Linda Blair gives a credible performance as the young widow of another vet whose father is the local rich guy. Her small son is a doll and the whole movie is one that most anyone in the family would enjoy. For once, the sheriff in the small town is not the bad guy (although his deputy isn't all that likeable!) and the action is not dependant on murder and mayhem--but lots of stuff gets blown up and there are enough shots fired to please action film lovers. It's a great movie!

Rukus is one of my guilty pleasures. I found it at a video store in VHS and bought it. I had seen it only once before, but I remembered it well. It doesn't rate with Award winning classics (in my opinion), but it's fun to watch. It's entertaining and it's a "feel good" type of show. I'm sure there are some who woud pan this movie, but if you can put aside your expectations and you can enjoy some colorful characters and a charming love story along with the action, it will satisfy! I don't own many movies, but this one is a keeper! It's hard to go wrong with great character actors as Farnsworth and Ben Johnson. And the rest of the cast is sure to be recognized from other shows they have done. It was also a time when Linda Blair was young and attractive. The other plus is two very nice country songs written by Willy Nelson and Hank Cochran. The songs are sung by Janie Fricke and she did a great job. I could listen to it anytime. I get a kick out of watching this movie every so often. Like I said..It's just fun! I was actually surprised to find it out on DVD, but I'm happy about it as my video version wasn't playing very well. Now I can enjoy it in a widescreen format!

Yes Ruckus still Rocks...This was a great movie, I had been looking for it for years, about Twenty to be exact, and truthfully had pretty much given up when one day while at work, Trying to find something...for a customer, I thought of That great Movie From when I was a kid, and there it was A year to the month after it was released On DVD...I dont even want to know how long it was available in VHS...But Anyway....I had seen this movie(Who Knows how many times) During the time that I was 8-10 years old and I thought seeing it now would make it a different Movie, maybe less fun, or harder to watch, but This movie is as great as it ever was, and seeing it from the perspective of a grownup just makes it better, I could just appreciate the Movie on more subtle levels, the ending specifically....And of course there would be No "First Blood" Without Ruckus...There's also Antother Movie Called "A Breed Apart", starring Rutger Hauer and Kathleen Turner Which Could, be Compared Directly to "Ruckus". Ruckus ends with our Hero (played By Dirk Benedict Of The A-Team and Battlestar Galactica Fame) winning his little war against the Hicks and winning an island in the process...Of course nobody really gets hurt in this movie, this must be where Faceman (Benedicts Character in "The A-Team") learned to get into combat without really so much as scrathing a person. "A Breed Apart" Starts with Rutger Hauer Living On his island while involved with(Or Semi Involved) w/Turner, with Powers Booth in hot pursuit. Though we don't Find out Hauer is a vet till the end of the movie(If I remember). I can't Say anything Bad About Ruckus, It's Funny, The Action Is Great, The characters Are loveable. You even like the hicks in a strange and funny way..The musical score by Willie Nelson Is great, and adds a humor to the mood...The Quality and crispness of the film is excellent(DVD Any way). This is definitely A keeper...The Commentary With Director Max Kleven and stars Linda Blair and Dirk Benedict is Enjoyable, It's almost like watching the movie With family You haven't seen in years(I don't know How many times I saw this movie as a kid).The only thing I Would like to have seen on the DVD Were theatrical Trailers...And who knows, If enough people Get This DVD Maybe that's something that can happen....Or Maybe even a sequel?, "Ruckus Revisited", maybe?!?(HA HA).....I'm sure that anybody who's seen this movie would go see A sequel. I only Wish I had been Online 5 years Ago..When I'm done I'll think of ten great things I could have said about this movie and i'll kick myself...All I can tell you is that this is a must see...GET THIS MOVIE

This movie was my absolute favorite way back then. Haven't seen it on video until recently. It still kept my attention after all the years. The story is very believable, and who wouldn't fall in love with Linda in this movie. Dirk was great too. A very real character knowing some of my vet friends. Made me wish I was him.
All in all, a great way to spend the evening watching this movie.

This movie was O.K. but not that great. It was touted as a "rambo on a dirtbike" movie. I would be more willing to call it a rambo/dukes of hazzard on a dirtbike (with a LARGE touch of chick flick). As awesome as this sounds(minus the chick flickery), it really wasn't. It had a bit of dirtbike riding on vinage kawasaki's, and a bit of the main character outsmarting REALLY dumb local yocals. There are some cool scenes where he blows some stuff up. I would say if you can get it really cheap or catch it on the tube, it's worth watching. I would say it's not worth more than about 15 bucks... If it weren't so rare it would be in the $5 bin at Walmart lol.

I got to say I only ever seen Dirk as Face, Starbuck and in Alaska however this was an entirely different role and though First Blood literally stole this whole film.

This really is a gem, great casting and comedy, a simple story that works on all levels without having what the Bruchiemers etc would do with it today, the chemistry between the two leads was awesome there commentary that went with the DVD made it worth the buy & I got to say for the 1980's this film really has stood the test of time very well.

A refreshing change for Dirk Benedict & put it this way Face was in the making here! Good film & one worth keeping & it also dealt really well with Vietnam again DB rose to the occasion along with his co-stars.

Nice work all round & because of its humanity & grittiness is actually way better than First Blood a rare find & great for the humour as well!

I saw this in the early 1980s. I beleive after I saw "First Blood" at theater and this as a video store rental, I then realized it came out pre-Stallone version. This version is family friendly as it has hardly anything near violence. Exceptional cast with Dirk Benedict, Linda Blair, Ben Johnson, Matt Clark, and others you will recognize. Mostly comical and plenty of action. It is more like watching the "Dukes of Hazzard" than "First Blood". I recommend you buy it immediately if you want the DVD as it seems the first editions are about sold out so it may go out of print for awhile since sales haven't been great because this is a sleeper of a movie. I mean that it is not well known, because half the junk coming out on DVD does put me to sleep, this movie is great fun to watch. I ordered my DVD since they only have a few copies left.

The story is a Viet Nam vet is travelling by hitchhiking across country. He is wearing his Special Forces jacket from the Army. When he enters a small town he is harassed by some locals looking to pick on someone. In more of a self defence move than a threatening action he beats the bullies up and flee's the town. They chase after him into the woods where he sets traps that slow them down in funny ways rather than the deadly variety in "First Blood". Although the Viet Nam war was becoming unpopular back in the late 60s to early 70s, the irony here is small town folks were not the ones that would treat a vet this way. That might have happened in a large city, but this movie implausible or not since "First Blood" is definitely implausable, this movie is very entertaining. The DVD quality is excellent and includes a commentary in the way of extras. T

Addendum: This DVD has gone out of print. Do not pay more than $15.00 for it. It was selling for about $9.00 or less before it went out of print. Anyone wanting more than around $15-20 is just being excessively greedy. I am sure it will become available again. You may be able to rent it until then. - C. Luster

I seen this movie several years ago on VHS. I have wanted it ever since. My search is now over. What a great action movie without all the blood. A great love story without all the mushy stuff. And a great comedy without all the stupid stuff. This movie is the total package. I can not believe it did not do better than it did!