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Who Dares Wins

Who Dares Wins

Action · Thriller · 1982

When SAS Captain Peter Skellen is thrown out of the service for gross misconduct due to unnecessary violence and bullying, he is soon recruited by The People's Lobby, a fanatical group aiming to hold several US dignitaries hostage. But Skellen's dismissal is a front to enable him to get close to the terrorist group. Can he get close enough to stop the Lobby from creating an international incident?

Movie details

Who Dares Wins

“The 60 second war begins now!”

1982 Action · Thriller 2h 5m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.3 / 10

Community rating

When SAS Captain Peter Skellen is thrown out of the service for gross misconduct due to unnecessary violence and bullying, he is soon recruited by The People's Lobby, a fanatical group aiming to hold several US dignitaries hostage. But Skellen's dismissal is a front to enable him to get close to the terrorist group. Can he get close enough to stop the Lobby from creating an international incident?

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Who Dares Wins?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Ian Sharp

Written by

Reginald Rose

Lewis Collins

Lewis Collins

Capt. Peter Skellen

Judy Davis

Judy Davis

Frankie Leith

Richard Widmark

Richard Widmark

Secretary of State Arthur Currie

Edward Woodward

Edward Woodward

Commander Powell

Robert Webber

Robert Webber

General Ira Potter

Kenneth Griffith

Kenneth Griffith

Bishop Crick

Maurice Roëves

Maurice Roëves

Major Steele

Court is in session

Put Who Dares Wins on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.