Action-packed films have taken the world by storm, and superhero flicks have played a major part in their immense popularity. However, action movies aren’t limited to caped crusaders alone. The 80s gifted us with unforgettable characters like the fearless John McClane from the iconic Die Hard series and brawny heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who flexed his muscles in various adrenaline-pumping films. Let’s not forget the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Jean-Claude Van Damme, who had their own action-packed adventures on the big screen.
While some may see action movies as nothing more than mindless entertainment, there’s more to these films than meets the eye. The top-notch action films from the 80s possess hidden depths that even the most ardent fans may not be aware of. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve watched classics like First Blood, Die Hard, or Lethal Weapon, there will always be something new to discover, unless, of course, you were part of the production crew. Even then, there are bound to be surprises about these legendary 80s action flicks.
This intriguing list uncovers fascinating details about the finest action movies from the 1980s. From juicy insights about the actors who brought these heroes to life, to behind-the-scenes secrets that will pique your curiosity, there’s a good chance that even the most devoted fan of 80s action flicks won’t know it all. Prepare to be amazed by the untold tales behind these thrilling films of yesteryear!
1. Indiana Jones’ Exists Because Steven Spielberg Wasn’t Allowed To Direct A ‘James Bond’ Movie
Steven Spielberg, a highly successful director, had expressed his desire to direct a James Bond movie. However, to his surprise, he was denied permission to do so. Seeking solace in his friend George Lucas, Spielberg shared his disappointment. Lucas recalled their conversation, which took place during a beach outing:
During our conversation, Steven expressed his strong desire to direct a James Bond film. He had actually approached the owners of the James Bond franchise to inquire about the possibility. Unfortunately, they turned him down. Wanting to offer some support, I shared with him the concept of a film I had in mind – an adventure featuring an archaeologist who constantly finds himself in thrilling predicaments, akin to the excitement of a Saturday-matinee serial. Steven was instantly intrigued and exclaimed, “Fantastic, let’s do this!”
And thus, Indiana Jones was born. The movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark” emerged as a magnificent action-adventure film, widely regarded as one of the greatest of its genre. It not only achieved tremendous success but also gave rise to sequels. In “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” there is a subtle homage to the James Bond franchise that Spielberg had initially aspired to be a part of. In a specific scene, Indiana Jones dons a white tuxedo with a red flower, an outfit reminiscent of the one worn by James Bond (Sean Connery) in “Goldfinger.” Interestingly, this very costume resurfaced years later when Bond (portrayed by Daniel Craig) wore it in “Spectre.”
2. Patrick Swayze’s Allure Caused Problems During The ‘Road House’ Shoot
Patrick Swayze was not only a Hollywood heartthrob but also an outstanding actor who starred in some of the most iconic movies of the 1980s. One of his remarkable action roles during that decade, aside from his time in Red Dawn, was in the movie Road House, where he portrayed a bouncer with a Ph.D. in philosophy. Interestingly, Swayze’s irresistible good looks sometimes posed challenges during filming.
While shooting, Swayze attracted the attention of curious onlookers on multiple occasions. For instance, a pickup truck filled with middle-aged blonde women once arrived at his trailer, eager to meet the handsome actor. Another time, during the filming of a fight scene by the river, a raft loaded with women seeking a glimpse of the attractive young star unexpectedly approached, causing a temporary halt in filming. Even the crew members working on the movie found it difficult to stay focused. One extra, playing the role of a server, couldn’t help but continuously gaze at Swayze, resulting in her tripping and spilling her drinks.
3. The Studio Never Wanted Bruce Willis To Play John McClane In ‘Die Hard’
When Bruce Willis decided to star in Die Hard, it surprised his fans. He was known for his work on Moonlighting and didn’t fit the mold of the action stars in the 1980s. It was the era of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, and Willis didn’t resemble them in any way. Nonetheless, he gave it his all and proved himself as one of the most successful action stars in the world. But it almost didn’t happen.
Initially, the studio had no interest in casting Willis as Detective John McClane. They considered numerous other actors for the role. Some of the names thrown around were Harrison Ford, Nick Nolte, Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Charles Bronson, Don Johnson, Richard Dean Anderson, and Burt Reynolds. Either they were offered the role and declined, or they simply weren’t available. Eventually, the studio settled on Willis, and he exceeded all expectations, proving that a comedic actor could handle an action-packed role.
4. The Nazi Uniforms In ‘The Last Crusade’ Are 100% Legit From WWII
Despite incorporating real-world events, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade does not prioritize historical accuracy. However, as a fictional tale, it is not surprising that accuracy is not a major focus. That being said, it is still important for the costumes to be as historically accurate as possible, as the filmmakers aim to present a realistic depiction of events.
In The Last Crusade, the attention to detail in the uniforms is commendable, particularly in the “book burning” scene featuring Nazi uniforms. These uniforms were not only historically accurate but also genuine. Costume designer Anthony Powell went to great lengths to source authentic uniforms by searching throughout Germany. With the inclusion of hundreds of extras, he managed to find and use hundreds of real WWII SS uniforms. This makes them some of the very few authentic Third Reich uniforms to be featured in a major film production.
5. Eddie Murphy Almost Didn’t Play Axel Foley In ‘Beverly Hills Cop’
Action movies from the ’80s were a diverse bunch, with many crossing over into other genres. You had action/sci-fi flicks, action-adventure films, and some seriously top-notch action-comedies. One standout from the decade has to be Eddie Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop. This movie catapulted Murphy into superstardom, but it almost didn’t happen. Believe it or not, he wasn’t the studio’s first choice to play the iconic character, Axel Foley.
At first, they had their sights set on Mickey Rourke to bring Foley to life. Rourke even signed a $400,000 holding contract, but sadly, he couldn’t see eye to eye with the script. There was some back-and-forth between Rourke and the studio, but in the end, the contract expired and Rourke moved on to another project.
So, they had to go back to the drawing board. Next up was Sylvester Stallone, who was brought in to take on the role. However, just like Rourke, Stallone also had issues with the script. After some deliberation, he too decided to step away from the project.
Finally, it was Eddie Murphy’s turn. He was given a chance to shine as Axel Foley, and boy, did he make the most of it! Murphy injected the character with his own brand of comedic improvisation, making it truly his own.
In the end, Beverly Hills Cop became a massive hit, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Axel Foley. It just goes to show that sometimes, the unexpected choices end up being the best ones.
6. The Cast Of ‘The Goonies’ Weren’t Allowed To See The Pirate Ship Until Their Characters Did
When directors work with child actors, they often go to great lengths to ensure that their reactions on screen are believable. Stephen Spielberg, for example, took a unique approach while shooting E.T. He decided to film the scenes in chronological order, so that the reactions from Drew Barrymore and Henry Thomas would be genuine and appropriate for each moment. This became quite famous, and other directors have followed suit.
In the case of The Goonies, director Richard Donner had a specific vision for capturing the children’s reaction when they first laid eyes on the pirate ship at the end of the film. To make it more authentic, he made sure that the young actors didn’t get to see the ship until their characters did on screen.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. When Josh Brolin finally saw the ship, he couldn’t help but blurt out, “Holy s**t!” This unexpected outburst meant that the scene had to be reshot, and as a result, the original plan went out the window. In the final cut of the movie, the reactions of the children weren’t their genuine initial ones.
However, let’s give credit where it’s due. Despite the setback, the young actors still delivered exceptional performances and nailed the scene. While their initial reactions may not have made it into the movie, they certainly acted their hearts out and made it believable for the audience.
7. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Catchphrase Has Been Uttered Across His Filmography, Beginning With 1984’s ‘The Terminator’
When Arnold Schwarzenegger, playing the Terminator, famously uttered the words “I’ll be back,” little did anyone anticipate the impact it would have on his career. It’s interesting to note that the original line was actually supposed to be “I’ll come back,” but it was eventually changed. Since its debut in 1984, this iconic phrase has made its way into every Terminator movie, either spoken by Schwarzenegger himself or by a character closely associated with him, sometimes with slight variations.
But it’s not just within the Terminator franchise that Arnold has continued to utter these words. In various sci-fi and action films where he doesn’t play an evil cyborg, such as Commando, Raw Deal, The Running Man, Twins, The 6th Day, and Last Action Hero, he has managed to sneak in the famous line. In fact, Last Action Hero even pokes fun at the fact that he always seems to say it.
As a testament to the enduring popularity of this catchphrase, when Arnold Schwarzenegger left his mark in Hollywood by imprinting his hands and feet in concrete, he made sure to include his name alongside the phrase he is best known for.
8. The Third Reich Couldn’t Fool God In ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’
In Raiders of the Lost Ark, things didn’t go as planned when the Third Reich zealots opened the Ark of the Covenant. It turns out that they were not the “chosen ones” meant to possess the relic bestowed upon the Jews by God, as described in the Book of Exodus. Closing their eyes like Indy and Marion wouldn’t have made a difference in this case.
When René Belloq opens the Ark, he recites a Hebrew prayer, trying to fool the audience with his knowledge of the faith. However, those familiar with Judaism noticed something was missing. Belloq recited only part of the בריך שמיה (B’rich sh’mei), which is a prayer recited when a Torah is opened in a Jewish synagogue. But he left out several important passages, including the beginning and the crucial ending, which is a prayer for the Jewish people. This omission sealed the fate of the extremists.
When translated, Belloc’s prayer said, “I do not rely on man, and I do not depend on any angel… but on the God of truth whose Torah is true… I rely on Him, and to His holy and precious name… praises.” It’s understandable that his pronunciation wasn’t perfect, considering that Hebrew is not an easy language to speak if you’re not familiar with it. However, if he had recited the prayer correctly, it would have sounded like this:
“I am the servant of the Holy One, whom I revere and whose Torah I revere at all times. Not on mortals do I rely, nor upon angels do I depend, but on the God of the universe, the God of truth whose Torah is truth, whose prophets are truth, and who abounds in deeds of goodness and truth. In God do I put my trust; unto God’s holy, precious being do I utter praise. Open my heart to Your Torah. Answer my prayers and the prayers of all Your people Israel for goodness, for life, and for peace. Amen.”
9. There’s A Great Easter Egg At The Very End Of ‘RoboCop’
RoboCop was a brutal film that depicted a cyborg police officer battling against the very system that gave him life. The producers were initially worried that its brutality would offend real police officers, but fortunately, the opposite happened. Surprisingly, the movie’s harshness is one of its strongest aspects, especially when compared to the tamer films of today that shy away from the extreme violence seen in 80s R-rated movies.
However, if you thought all the chaos ended when the credits rolled, you missed out on a chilling reminder. Right at the very end, the screen displays a text that warns viewers about the consequences of unauthorized duplication, distribution, or exhibition of the film. It states that such actions could lead to civil liability and criminal prosecution by the enforcement droids.
Considering the movie’s portrayal of the glitch-prone ED-209 enforcement droids, which ruthlessly eliminate anyone in their path, the threat of aggression is definitely present.
10. Red Dawn’ Was ‘The Most Violent Movie Ever Made’ When It Was Released In 1984
Red Dawn, an action film released in 1984, stands out for its unique premise of children fighting against a Soviet/Cuban-occupied United States. While it may be considered relatively violent by today’s standards, it was deemed excessively violent during its time. In fact, the National Coalition on Television Violence went as far as labeling Red Dawn as “the most violent movie ever made.” This assertion was based on the movie’s staggering 134 acts of violence per hour of video.
The organization further solidified its disapproval of Red Dawn by assigning it an X rating. In their statement, they declared that this summer’s releases, including Red Dawn, were the most violent in the history of the industry, averaging 28.5 violent acts per hour. While this may sound alarming, it is worth noting that other films that also received an X rating from the National Coalition on Television Violence include Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins. Comparatively speaking, by today’s standards, such a rating seems exaggerated, but during the 1980s, it was considered appropriate.
11. The Initial Cut Of ‘First Blood’ Made Sylvester Stallone Physically Ill
First Blood is often hailed as one of the all-time great action films, and it even sparked a successful franchise. Admittedly, each subsequent movie tried to top its predecessor in terms of body count (let’s face it, First Blood only had one death, so that wasn’t too challenging), but hey, it’s still a franchise.
Now, during the filming and editing stage, the movie turned out to be a whopping three and a half hours long. Sylvester Stallone himself admitted that it was downright awful. When Stallone and his agent sat down to watch the initial cut, they were both physically repulsed. It evoked such a strong negative reaction that they feared Stallone’s career was doomed.
Thankfully, some significant editing took place, and the final version ended up being a much more reasonable 93 minutes. They even had to reshoot the ending because the original was so terrible, it couldn’t be salvaged.
