Another Robert Conrad Film

Sudden Death (1977) film

Directed by the legendary Filipino director Eddie Romero, Sudden Death (1977) is a schlocky masterpiece that deserves to become a cult classic. When an American businessman’s (Ed Neilson, played by Ken Metcalf) family is brutally murdered due to his sympathy with the local people, he calls on a former CIA agent, Duke Smith (Conrad), to find out who is behind the killings. After Ed is killed, Duke and his former partner Wyatt Spain (Felton Perry) seek the truth and vengeance. Duke’s signature move is kicking and punching his opponent in the balls.  The dialogue is strange, the tone is all over the place, and the acting is…interesting.

During one sequence, our ‘heroes’ randomly go to a brothel and sleep with prostitutes for no reason. Later, they confront one of the evil businessmen behind the killings, who is in bed with a fourteen-year-old boy. After the killing the businessman, the boy, attempts to shoot Duke and Wyatt. Without a moment’s thought, the heroes gun down the boy and appear unmoved that they have just shot a kid who has clearly been molested.

Conrad is in top form in the film. Showing off his pre-Centennial tanned, lean body, he manages to fight and strut around this island in incredibly tight trousers (somehow). The chemistry between Conrad and Stroud is brilliant. The chemistry between Duke, his wife, and his daughter (played by Conrad’s actual daughter) was not convincing- which added to the charm of the film. One of the highlights of the film is when an old prostitute (presuming she is a prostitute) gets confused and asks Wyatt if he wants ‘Puppy’ instead of pussy.

This film felt like it was co-written by cocaine. It is so seventies, the only thing it is missing is a scene in a disco. Maybe the only film where a man fights a dog and in another scene a man accidently pissing on the face of another man. At least, the only film I’ve seen with both those things. Also, the ending with stick with you for days. A must see for any fan of low budget films. And a must for any Robert Conrad fans. This could be his best non-TV film.

Plot: 4

Script: 3

Conrad performance: 5

Co-stars performance: 3

Intentional laughs: 3

Unintentional laughs: 5

Macho rating: 5

Shirtless: 4

Tight trousers: 4

Fighting Conrad: 5

Total: 41/50