The Challenge (1970 film)
| The Challenge | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | George McGowan (as Alan Smithee) |
| Produced by |
Jay Cipes Ed Palmer |
| Written by | Marc Norman |
| Starring |
Darren McGavin Mako |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | ABC Television |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Challenge is a 1970 made-for-television movie starring Darren McGavin and Mako. Director George McGowan chose to hide his involvement by using the pseudonym Alan Smithee. This was the last film appearance of Paul Lukas.
Plot
An American space satellite lands in an uninhabited area of the Pacific. To resolve a dispute over its possession that threatens to escalate into all-out war, the United States and an unnamed Asian country agree to settle the matter with a duel to the death between two champions on a deserted tropical island. As Vietnam veteran Jacob Gallery (Darren McGavin) and Yuro (Mako) stalk each other, a bond of respect forms between them.
However, both countries cheat, each covertly sending a second man. Outraged, Gallery and Yuro eliminate their backups and continue with their deadly contest. In the end, Gallery emerges victorious, but before he can signal the outcome, he succumbs to his wounds.
Cast
- Darren McGavin as Jacob Gallery
- Broderick Crawford as Gen. Lewis Meyers
- Mako as Yuro
- James Whitmore as Overman
- Skip Homeier as Lyman George
- Paul Lukas as Dr. Nagy
- Sam Elliott as Bryant, Gallery's unwanted help
- Adolph Caesar as Clarence Opano
- Andre Philippe as Swiss official
- Arianne Ulmer as Sarah (as Arianhe Ulmer)