Good Guys Wear Black (1978) User Reviews

Chuck Norris vehicle with lots of action, thrills, suspense and spectacular fights

[ma-cortes · 5/10 · 10 November 2009]

The film begins in Paris , 1973 during peace talks to end the Vietnam War.Later on, Riverside , California, five years later , a mild-mannered teacher named Booker (Chuck Norris) keeps his previous life as leader of a Vietnam commando (Soon-Tek Oh, Pierce, Aaaron Norris, among others) named ¨The Black Tigers¨ unit under wraps until he discovers that he's number one in a hit list. John Booker attempts to resolve why his former squad are being mysteriously killed, one time the Vietnam war is over.There's a conflict-ridden love interest as well, Norris falls in love with a lovely journalist (a youngster Anne Archer) who must to save her.

This exciting picture is plenty of action-packed, tension,suspense and cheesy sub-plot to boot with wild stunts .The movie displays a plethora of martial arts fights ,Norris cleans up the nasty fighters by means of punches ,kicks,bound and leaps with struggles certainly slick .It's violent, frenetic and hectic and not particularly literary but worthy entry in Kung-Fu genre , although runs out energy surprisingly early. Average Norris-thriller ,exciting and tense at times with fine work from Dana Andrews, Lloyd Haynes and James Franciscus as a brilliant and ambitious politician. And of course, Karate expert Chuck Norris who saves the day with lots of visceral violence , he's a nice wrestler who possesses incredible strength . The film belongs Norris's early period ,during the 80s as : ¨Code of silence,Delta Force,Silent rage,Octagon,Forced vengeance, Delta Force I,II, An eye for an eye¨ among others with successful box office at cinemas and video-rentals. In the 90s and 2000s with exception of ¨Walker Texas Ranger¨,the Norris star has gone down. Action addicts will give this one a passing grade ,all others need not apply. If you're a previous Norris fans,you'll like it but contains enough action and violence for enthusiastic of the Karate genre. The motion picture is regularly directed by Ted Post. It's followed by the sequel titled ¨A force of one¨ with Norris-Booker as team commander of some undercover narcotic agents who are being eliminated one-by-one.

Home-grown business to sort out.

[lost-in-limbo · 5/10 · 29 April 2010]

It might not have been Norris' breakout film, but he was on its way and a good stepping stone for things to come. Well he had appeared in a few films before hand, but not so much as a leading role and this was an attempt to create a new Bruce Lee for the American market. It's quite a routine vehicle for Norris, which while captivating it never truly capitalizes on the martial art skills that he bestows. Sure he gets time to hand out a beating or two, but in the end there's just not enough to go around. Most of the time Norris as ex-commando John T. Booker is racing around the clock trying to figure out a political conspiracy involving the extermination of his special-op team the "Black Tigers", and then maybe … that's when angry or tested he decides to beat the pulp out of someone. Sadly when that happens the sock 'em activity doesn't last all that long… by building up a punishing rhythm to only be over in a matter of seconds. Might be impressive to watch when in action (although the camera at times gets a little too close not allowing the space), but you feel short-changed hoping for more or at least some competition. The material could've seen any actor take the lead role, as it seems to ask more from as an establish actor, but then we probably wouldn't have seen the trademark stunt of Norris' stirring jump-kick through car windshield. This one sequence alone (along with a three on one car park showdown) shows what he could bring to the table.

So far I guess it sounds like I didn't get much from it, but that's not particularly true. What surprised more than anything was that his earlier features had somewhat heavily written plots, despite the forced dialogues. "Good Guys Wear Black" had quite a pessimistically knotty narrative; where it builds upon the mystery and strangely it's devious plotting of political corruption and lingering suspicion of things are not quite what they seem was compellingly fleshed out. Also the ending has nice touch of irony to it. Norris continuing to hand out justice… Norris justice.

Ted Post (who helm Eastwood in "Hang 'Em High" and "Magnum Force") has a competent steadiness to his serviceable direction, but does lack the flair and excitement in the favour of grinding out the tough dramatics and lean action caught behind raw, but scenic locations. This is obvious, and it does seem to hold Norris back. He tries his best, but while his delivery might not always be the greatest (acting that is) he does have likability and certain charisma (not just the golden-blonde hair and moustache) that eventually shines through. The rest of performances do fair up a lot better. Anne Archer is bitingly good across Norris and James Franciscus likewise with his smarmy portrayal. Lloyd Haynes and Dana Andrews chime in with solid offerings. Jim Backus has a neat cameo too. Craig Safan's distinguishable jazz score crackles along.

Simply middle ground, as Norris would go onto better things.

The Golden Days of Chuck Norris

[eibon09 · 4 January 2001]

The story of Good Guys Wear Black(1979) interestingly enough resembles the plot lines of Steven Seagal's early films of Above the Law(1988), Hard to Kill(1990), and Marked for Death(1991). The direction by Ted Post is very good. Good Guys Wear Black(1979) and the Dirty Harry picture, Magnum Force(1973) are the two best films for this average director. Chuck Norris stars in what is one of his better films before he would give up the cinema for television. Anne Archer is good in an early film role before she was a respectable actress. James Franciscus is terrific as the cold blooded and ruthless Politican Conrad Morgan. Has what is probably the best stunt of Chuck Norris's career with the scene where he leaps through the front window of a car and into an assassin for a martial arts kick.

The early steps of Chuck Norris towards into stardom !!

[elo-equipamentos · 5/10 · 4 October 2020]

This picture belongs at early steps of Chuck Norris as leading roles with great potential to sales at worldwide market that was growing with skillful fighters like him, sorrowfully the storyline wasn't properly accurate, in fact scratch the reliance of the America at Vietnam, we already know that too much mistakes took places there, nonetheless such treachery was unthinkable with American squad, self-called Black Tigers, starting this point of view the picture remains a vehicle to Norris introducing his fighter character as avenging angel, further the greedy Conrad Morgan (James Franciscus) was a diplomat as such had a great staff behind, however just the old and drunkard Edgar Harolds (the great Dana Andrews) knew all about, the highlights were the first raid at Vietnam and few fights only, it probably explains this picture is lesser known in Brazil, just came out on VHS and no dubbing, that means that wasn't aired on TV as fair I remeber, also what's the real reason to kill the reminder of the Black Tigers, what they should be reported if the mission was classified, therefore the story doesn't make sense at all, maybe the sexy appearance of the Anne Archer shall be underlined on this average picture!!

Resume:

First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 5.5

Special missions

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 7 November 2017]

In this film those that are wearing black are a special forces group of trained assassins who went on special missions with selective targets. The group that Chuck Norris led were so good at their jobs that before the Paris Peace Accords are signed the North Vietnamese want this group eliminated.

Chuck Norris's group must have been doing some kind of damage that this kind of demand be made. All having to do with that Oriental concept of saving face.

But the Black Tigers make it out, most of them that is. But a few years after the war ended, people in his group are starting to get killed in strange and exotic ways.

It all has to do with the ambitions of career diplomat James Franciscus who is playing a role far from idealistic teacher Mr. Novak. Franciscus certainly would have had the proper attitudes to go far in the Nixon administration. He's got a loyal career subordinate in Dana Andrews who is getting good and stewed as his way of coping. Andrews who had a career tainted by alcoholism certainly had this late career role down pat.

Chuck Norris with a bit of help from Lloyd Haynes of the CIA and reporter Anne Archer who on the Washington cocktail circuit gets the story of a lifetime give him some help. That and his own martial arts skills dispatch a number of bad guys.

Norris fans will approve.

Great, If you love Chuck Norris...and you known you do!

[bbickley13-921-58664 · 5/10 · 31 May 2014]

Chuck Norris attempts to make himself a leading man in this movie, to show depth that he does not have. Luckily, Norris is such a force of nature that he does not need acting chops.

A complex story about a group of Vietnam vets who are set up on a bad mission gone wrong and years later, whoever sent them is trying to clear up loose ends by killing the rest of the team who survived.

Chuck attempts to put his blonde pornstache to good use as a sexy leading man who develops a relationship with a reporter who wants info on the mission. Chuck gives us a little on screen action with a very simple love making scene. It was short and sweet which is much more than we need form Chuck in this department.

Now that's get to the action we came to see. Chuck puts his karate skills to good use, and makes it all look good on camera with his quick kicks as he's chopping up the bad guys. The fights scenes are short, impressive and satisfying. Plus he does his signature jump kick into the front glass window of a moving car move he's done a few times on Walker Texas Ranger.

It's a good Chuck Norris movie to watch, but not his best.

Chuck Norris is John T. Booker and Booker is fighting back.

[HarryLags · 7/10 · 18 October 2016]

I'm not sure when I first watched this one, but it must have been sometime in the mid 80's or so.Back then anything starring Mr. Norris was a sure thing in my book, I don't think that i was ever disappointed with any of his movies.I mean, how could you be? It is Chuck Norris!

The plot in Good Guys Wear Black is quite good and I won't go further into it here. You'll have to watch the movie to find out more! It's a well- written one, directed by Ted Post, who's also done Hang 'Em High and Magnum Force. The cast is actually not that bad. Anne Archer, James Franciscus are all good actors and Chuck Norris is Chuck Norris, so it all evens out in the end. No, all kidding aside, even Mr Norris is good here..

If there's one gripe I have with this movie, it's the fact that as far as it being an action flick it's a bit "talky", you know? I would have liked a little more action I really wanted to like the movie more, and all it had to do was have Chuck fight more people, and have more scenes like the action set piece in the middle. That's ALL it had to do to win us over, but it's just a little too much talking

So if you have the patience and you like 70's type action movies then you should like this.

Overall worth watching.. 7 out of 10

Can't Get Enough

[[e-mail] · 9/10 · 4 February 2004]

I don't know what it is about this film, but I can never seem to tire of it. The acting is nothing special, the camera work is dated, and the plot is confusing at times. But this doesn't effect the enjoyment I receive every time I put this DVD on and watch it again. In fact, the story grows more intriguing with every viewing. If you are a Chuck Norris fan, this is an especially fantastic find, since he is at rare form from start to finish. The plot has Norris race around the western US trying to stop an assassin gunning for members of his former CIA Vietnam unit. This may be one of the first films to feature truly "extreme" stunts, including snowmobiling, jumping thru a windshield of a moving car, along with other motorcycle, race car, and skiing related action. Luckily, now you can find the DVD in discount stores easily, and I believe it's worth picking up.

Stuntmen Wear Blonde Wigs.

[BA_Harrison · 5/10 · 20 April 2015]

Six years before his successful mission to free POWs in Rambo rip-off Missing In Action (1984), Chuck Norris starred in Good Guys Wear Black as John T. Booker, leader of a special commando unit known as The Black Tigers, who are also tasked with rescuing POWs from Vietnam. Booker, however, isn't victorious this time: dropped into enemy territory, he and his men are unable to locate any POWs, but do find themselves under heavy fire from the VC with no chopper to fly them out. It would appear that they have been set up.

Five years later, and Booker, having escaped from Vietnam with just five of his men, is now a professor teaching political history who also test dives Porsches in his spare time. When sexy reporter Margaret (Anne Archer) begins to question his involvement in the top secret Black Tigers mission that went so wrong, and the other surviving Black Tigers start to be assassinated, Booker decides to investigate.

Twenty five percent action, seventy five percent political intrigue, this early Norris vehicle is bound to disappoint those looking to see the star kicking major ass. After the explosive opening mission, things really slow down as Booker uncovers a dismal plot involving devious secretary of state Conrad Morgan (James Franciscus), who has labelled the The Black Tigers as double agents marked for death in order to fulfil a deal he made with the North Vietnamese at the end of the war.

Mostly talk, with sporadic bursts of mediocre action, Good Guys Wear Black is a largely forgettable movie, with the exception of Archer, who looks absolutely smokin', and a cool stunt involving a flying kick through the windscreen of a car (although it is clearly not performed by the star, but rather a stuntman wearing a bad Chuck Norris wig and 'tache disguise).

Not Bad...

[b-man-1 · 26 February 2003]

Good Guys Wear Black (1978) was one of Chuck Norris's first starring roles. Norris plays John T. Booker, a C.I.A. who is sent on a mission to rescue American P.O.W.s in Vietnam, but during the mission, he and his men are attacked and find that no Americans were at the Vietnamese camp. After Booker and the remaining soldiers just barely escape, they find out that their team, The Black Tigers, were set up. After a long walk home, the C.I.A.s are turning up dead and John T. Booker is the last one alive, and no one can help him but a lawyer named Margret. This film was made in 1977, but wasn't released until a year or two later. The action is decent, espiecially two scenes, one that takes place at a ski resort, and another at an airport where Chuck Norris fights this Japanese assassin. Overall, a decent 1970's action movie with bad acting and a really bad 70's sounding soundtrack.

* OUT OF FIVE

[bronsonskull72 · 2/10 · 11 December 2003]

Horrendous actioner stars Chuck Norris as Booker a soldier who survives a setup and now must survive long enough to report the cover-up that could get him killed in this laughable actioner which showcases why Norris shouldn't be allowed near a camera. In either case this dated actioner can either make for a quite a dull afternoon or a hilarious night laughing at it's shortcomings. Plus the title has no real merit towards the movie.

Good Guys That Wear Black Can't Save Awful Movies!

[ILoveTheNight · 2/10 · 20 January 2019]

Sorry for Anne Archer, she deserved better than this garbage.

Good guys wear black

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 7 October 2021]

Former soldier John T. Booker (Chuck Norris), who is now a teacher, takes a leave of absence when he learns his friends from Vietnam are mysteriously dying. Booker, who was part of an elite unit in the war called the Black Tigers, starts visiting his Army buddies to try to warn them that they are in danger. As more Black Tigers are killed, Booker connects the murder spree to a high-ranking Vietnamese official who is working with a U. S. politician (James Franciscus).

One of Chuck Norris' first films, and it's an efficiently made political conspiracy film, well directed, though a little talky and slow moving. Let's face it we watch Norris films for the roundhouses and the spin kicks, and he sure obliges, especially around mid-way. Watch out for that flying drop kick through the windshield. His acting is not too bad either for an amateur, however it's James Fransciscus who steals the scene as a slimy politician.

Overall, a mildly diverting film from Norris, but the best is yet to come.

Dull badly acted...

[dwpollar · 3/10 · 31 March 2001]

1st watched 3/31/2001 - 3 out of 10 (Dir-Ted Post): Dull badly acted 90 minute early attempt at Chuck Norris trying to start a movie career. Believe it or not it continued for quite some time. Many mistakes were made in this movie(starting with why it was made in the 1st place.) It turns into a mystery that keeps your interest until the final supposed heart-felt Norris monologue that lasts too long and shows his inability to do what he was called to do(act.) Too bad he didn't start in Television first.

Good Early Norris Flick

[actionstar-89625 · 6/10 · 13 August 2020]

In what Chuck Norris himself called his breakthrough role, here he plays former Vietnam vet John T. Booker. While in Vietnam he believes he and his squad were set up. Now five years later he teaches and loves to race beautiful Porsche cars. After what I find was a little bit of a slow-moving start it picks up a bit of steam and finds its groove. Norris meets up with a beautiful reporter named Margaret (Anne Archer) and soon finds that members of his squad in Vietnam are dead and he himself has a contract out for his murder. Personally, I found that Archer does add a spark to the film and it finds its rhythm soon after that. A nice early Norris flick, but they do get better.

Better than TJ Hooker

[mm-39 · 2/10 · 7 March 2002]

This guy is better than TJ Hooker. This guy does not jump on car windows, like TJ, he kicks threw them. Other than that this film is lamer than the 80-81 Winnipeg Jets. Not much of a story, but the budget did not help. I like the karate, but the acting was sad. I would suggest this film for someone I did not like.

A fine movie for Norris

[GOWBTW · 9/10 · 10 March 2005]

This movie is one of my first favorites. Here you have Chuck Norris, a real karate champion, plays John Booker, a war vet who is trying to find out why his comrades are being bumped off. Whoever's doing it is in big trouble. You don't mess with BOOKER! NO NOT EVER!! Many made a big mistake and it cost their own lives in the process. First, one person gets shot during skiing and Booker did the flying side kick to the Booker's assailant's wife. The major assailant put a bomb on the plane that killed his girlfriend after takeoff. And he used that ski pole to attack Booker which was no use to stop him. Then my favorite scene of all is where the same guy whose wife was taken out, gets into the Toyota Celica, and tried to run over Booker. In which he returns delivers the awesome flying dropkick to the windshield killing him. I later found out that the stunt was done by his brother Aaron. Doesn't really matter I enjoyed it all the away. Chuck Norris is the reason I got into the martial arts, and I would like to thank him all the way. He is my idol! 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Booker T. and his Green Onions... Err, I mean, Black Tigers!

[Coventry · 6/10 · 14 July 2021]

When I see the name Booker T. In a Vietnam war period context, my mind immediately wanders off to the magnificent song called "Green Onions". Of course, there isn't any real link between the song and this film, but it nevertheless played in my head throughout the entire running time. If you don't know the song, look it up!

The Booker T. (first name: John) in "Good Guys Wear Black" is Chuck Norris' lead character, and during the (rather long) prologue set in 1973, he's the leader of a highly specialized unit - The Black Tigers - during the last days of the Vietnam war, assigned to free as many POW's as possible. The mission is an ambush, and only Booker and five others make it out of the jungle alive. Five years later, Booker closed off the past and started a new life as a history teacher and test-driver for Porsche race cars (lovely combo!). When the other survivors of his last mission mysteriously start dying, and a beautiful but secretive woman approaches him with half a conspiracy theory, Booker is forced to fresh up his fighting skills after all.

This was one of the first movies that put Chuck Norris in the spotlights as an action hero, and admittedly he still looks somewhat nerdy and insecure. In 1978, you wouldn't have guessed that, 30-40 years later, this same man represents pure toughness and macho behavior (or at least in the famous "Chuck Norris" jokes that can be found all over the internet). Still, "Good Guys Wear Black" is an entertaining action/thriller, albeit with a needlessly complex conspiracy plot and a few dull moments. The action moments are great, though, like for example at the ski resort or at the airport, and there are lovely supportive roles for Anne Archer and particularly James Franciscus as the slimy & corrupt congressman. Tip for extra enjoyment: scout for the stuntmen/body doubles with hilarious fake blond wigs and moustaches!

Decent early Norris

[dworldeater · 6/10 · 31 December 2019]

Early Chuck Norris vehicle that is pretty decent and directed by Ted Post. This action/thriller is low in action compared to Norris's other output. Chuck's acting is not the best and this type of story needed a better actor for the lead. Still, I think this is pretty decent and Chuck did the best he could. What he lacks in acting chops, he made up for with karate chops.(when he does occasionally have a fight scene) Good Guys Wear Black is more of a suspense/thriller than an action movie and is very much in 70's style. It does have elements of his later work Missing In Action and The Delta Force, but has the most in common with Clint Eastwood flick The Eiger Sanction.

He can't kick or drive a car

[modius · 24 February 1999]

I prayed the train would kill him, what was the plot? I watched it and even I don't know! Suicide would be an improvement to this film.

Since when do Porsche test there cars in the usa? and use middle aged teachers?

Basically. this film is bad.

It may not be Chuck's best but it is sufficent enough

[jordondave-28085 · 6/10 · 12 April 2023]

(1978) Good Guys Wear Black ACTION Plot line centers on Vietnam ex-commando, John T. Booker (Chuck Norris) along with his army chum, Murray Saunders (Lloyd Haynes) has just learned that each of the five remaining commando unit of the "Black" Tigers-hence the movie title, are being picked off one by one, which the answers may lead to the top. Movie veteran Dana Andrews has a small roll as one of the aids of the Secretary of State.

When I was like, young and stuff, the scene that made me wanted to check this movie out was during the preview of Chuck who was in his prime, jumping up and smashing the front passenger window with his feet. I watched this movie solely for that scene alone. But it's like, when you watch it, you kind of anticipate that the entire movie was like that, and you become disappointed when it's not. I saw it once during the1980's and then again upon jotting for this review. It has enough exciting moments to warrant for this pass.

After all these years, I finally watched a Chuck Norris flick in its entirety and it's the first one I was aware of, Good Guys Wear Black!

[tavm · 7/10 · 13 July 2020]

While I've been aware of Chuck Norris movies for the last 42 years, it wasn't until now that I even bothered to watch one of them and it's the very first one I knew of when I was only 10 years old! Having survived the Vietnam War, Chuck is-five years later-trying to live as normal a life as possible but when a lawyer (Anne Archer) shows up into his life, things take a wrong turn several times. This was pretty slow moving much of the time with few fight scenes but whatever of those that were done, Chuck did them quite well here! Jim "Thurston Howell III" Backus makes an amusing appearance as a doorman. Anyway, Good Guys Wear Black isn't too bad for an early Chuck Norris flick. (Update-7/15/20: I just realized I had previously watched the entirety of Silent Rage on HBO back in the early '80s so that headline is no longer true...)

Good guys stay away

[dbdumonteil · 4 July 2006]

Ted Post was a commendable director:his "beneath the planet of the apes" ,which already featured James Franciscus ,although much inferior to Shaffner's work was entertaining and "go tell the Spartans" was one of the first films dealing with the Vietnam war.

"Good guys ..." does too.But "Go tell..." had Burt Lancaster ,and this movie has nobody who can match him.Besides the screenplay is vague,mean and thin :it seems that Post would have liked to make his own "Mandchurian candidate" with snatches of "parallax view" thrown in for good measure.The two leads acting is minimal to say the least.Only Dana Andrews' short appearance has something to do with acting.Abysmal ending.

Early Norris but still fun

[DanTheMan2150AD · 6/10 · 9 July 2023]

Good Guys Wear Black is often considered Norris' breakthrough role as a leading man, it occasionally fumbles almost like there's too little for a film that tries to do a lot, often feeling like a malnourished thriller. It's got some admirable direction from Ted Post, Norris is fun as Booker but lauded with way too much-clichéd dialogue, the music by Craig Safan is laughable considering the more serious tone the movie is going for and the pacing is just plain slow which is bizarre given it's only 96-minutes. However, despite all this, it demonstrates what a home-grown martial arts movie could look like. Cynical, furious and rammed with Norris' pattened brand of physical action with some occasional fun stuntwork, Good Guys Wear Black is an entertaining enough movie in its own right.

A Fun 70's Kung-fu Conspiracy Thriller With A Very Young Chuck Norris

[lukem-52760 · 7/10 · 22 January 2023]

Chuck Norris here looks like a 70's porn star lol.

The action legend of Kung-fu action cult cinema Chuck Norris stars in one of his earliest films & as the lead. John T. Booker (Norris) is an ex leader of a secret organisation/team of assassins that worked for the American government & were called the Black Tigers.

Years after Booker & his team escape from a muddled rescue mission back in Vietnam, they go their separate ways. Booker is now a teacher & is trying to live a normal peaceful life until his old team start dying one by one. Someone is targeting Booker & his old buddies but why? & who is behind it?

Good Guys Wear Black has a super sexy Anne Archer as Margaret, a mysterious reporter that teams up romantically with Booker & they go about trying to uncover the Conspiracy. Its a basic action movie setup like many that came after it & it's a very low-budget movie but it's often entertaining. Not violent but done in the action way of say James Bond at times but obviously on a tiny budget. Norris got better as an a actor but he's still cool in this film. I enjoyed this fun little Conspiracy Thriller.

Sometimes the story felt a bit muddled & it's not exactly action-packed but it's a relaxing movie to put on & chill to. Chuck Norris is an action legend & I'm well into his films lately & consider some of his films as absolute action Classic's such as The Delta Force, Code of Silence & Missing In Action for an example.

Not a bad little 70's Conspiracy Thriller & Norris is always watchable. There's also a very nice smooth & jazzy musical score that completes it's pure 70's funky vibe. All in all its a fun little B-movie.