Good Guys Wear Black (1978) User Reviews

There's only one way to deal with people like you... Expediently!

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 17 January 2006]

**There are Spoilers** One of Chuck Norris' earlier works that has him play Maj. John T. Booker the leader of the secret CIA assassin/guerrilla unit named "The Black Tigers" who were used by this unscrupulous and power-hungry US diplomat Canrad Morgan, James Franciscus, as a bargaining chip in the 1973 Paris Peace Talks to end the Vietnam War.

Trying to smooth or grease both sides, the US and North Vietnamese, US diplomat Conrad Morgan made a deal with his Communist counterpart Quang Yang to have the Black Tigers sent into Communist-held South Vietnam on a suicide mission with them, the Black Tigers, thinking that their being sent to rescue a bunch of American POW's or MIA's. The Black Tigers led by Booker get pinned down by VC small arms fire and realizing that their mission is about to end, with all of them dead or captured, they make their way back to the designated spot in the jungle where their supposed to be pick up by US Army helicopters; only to find out they've been abandoned by their own higher up, like Conrad Morgan.

It's now five years later and Booker now a collage History Professor ,and part-time test car driver, meet's in his class Margaret, Anne Archer, who seems to know lot about his activities in Vietnam and the men that he commanded there The Black Tigers. Margaret also seems to know that "The Tigers" are being killed off to keep what they were doing in "Nam", being part of the covert Operation Phoenix, from getting out to the Amerian public.

A bit too long and somewhat lame action movie with Chuck Norris doing his best in trying to act seriously but not being that convincing. Booker teams up with Margaret in finding the remaining Black Tiger members before they end up getting killed off by a secret CIA hit-team lead, or controlled, by Conrad Morgan. It turns out that Booker can't prevent the killing of his fellow Black Tigers and even Margaret ends up getting blown out of the sky by a bomb placed in her passenger plane taking off from Squaw Valley.

Booker getting to the bottom of what's behind the killings which turns out to be that Morgan is about to be confirmed Secretary of State. Morgan in order to get confirmed want's all his dirty little secrets kept under wraps. Like the selling out the American MIA's, and their failed rescuers the Black Tigers, to the Communist in order to get them to sign a peace treaty in Paris back in January 1973.

Covering all the bases Morgan has the retired top US diplomat at the 1973 Paris Peace talks Edger Harolds, Dana Andrews,locked away in the Bethesda Navel Hospital psychiatric ward to discredit him. Horolds had written a letter to Booker and his friend and contact at the CIA Murray Saunders,Llyod Haynes, confirming Morgan's betrayal.

With everything cleared for his conformation as the third most powerful man in the United States government Morgan looks like he'll be rewarded and get away with the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of American soldiers but Booker has other ideas. In the end Morgan doesn't make it to Washingtn D.C to get sworn in as secretary of state. He's given a long ride off a short pier out at Chesapeake Bay where he's never to be seen or heard from again; courtesy of his new and unexpected limo driver John T. Booker.

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.

one of Chuck Norris's earlier films heavier on the story,lighter on the fighting

[disdressed12 · 7/10 · 4 February 2007]

this is one of Chuck Norris's earlier films.this movie i (belive it or not)more story driven,rather than focusing on martial arts action. Chuck Plays John T.Booker, an ex commando who suddenly finds that members of his former unit are being assassinated.Booker tries to warn those that are still alive and find out why they are being targeted. He believes he is also on the list,so his time is limited to find both the killer and the reason for the murders.Chuck actually uses his acting chops more than his fists and feet in this outing.he actually does an okay job in that dept.there are still some fight scenes in the movie,which actually look more realistic than in today's martial arts flicks.there are no flashy camera tricks here.back in the 70's people liked their action more authentic.i liked that about his film.if you are looking for an all out action movie,this 1 is not for you.however,if you like a little story in the mix,check it out. 7/10

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

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).

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.

Good Guys Wear Black

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 16 November 2009]

Ted Post(Hang 'Em High)directed this early Chuck Norris vehicle regarding a contract out to kill members of a covert group sent into Vietnam on a bogus mission to secure POW's said to have been imprisoned in a camp. Norris stars as John T Booker, leader of the Black Tigers, leading five of the men out of Vietnam. He goes on to become a professor and part-time race car test driver, soon learning from an old pal in the CIA(Lloyd Haynes)that he and his men have a hit out on them. Booker will join forces with a mysterious reporter, Margaret(Anne Archer, simply lovely)who knows more than she's willing to divulge, in an attempt to find the remainder of his men(..those still alive) across the country, running into constant trouble along the way. James Franciscus has a memorable role as a handsome, ambitious, ruthless political negotiator, Conrad Morgan, eyeing the Secretary of State position, whose goal is to silence all who had a part in the "Phoenix Operation" and Booker will do everything in his power to see this bastard fail. Dana Andrews also has a small, but pivotal role as Morgan's right-hand man, Edgar Harolds, who was once in a higher position of political power, now an alcoholic, lonely man with only one ace under his sleeve to keep the wolves at bay. Soon-Tek Oh, as Major Mhin Van Thieu, was part of the Black Tigers, actually part of Morgan's camp, a hired assassin whose putting bullets into Booker's men.

Good Guys Wear Black, as any Norris fan can tell you, features one of Chuck's most memorable iconic sequences where he goes through the windshield of a moving car to kick an enemy attempting to flee. Norris also gets a chance to subdue those who attempt to thwart his mission of justice, by dropping his foes with martial arts kicks and other maneuvers..this is a great period for us Norris fans as he was a bit thinner, more agile and athletic, and could really move fast, giving his adversaries little chance to counter his arsenal of blows. Post, working from a rather convoluted espionage script, keeps the story going, with Norris in fine form. While he never was known for his acting prowess, Norris' other skills, such as screen presence, charisma, and fighting style, bolster GGWB rather well. I think this film features one of the better stories of Norris' career(..and Archer is certainly one of his better leading ladies), while not allowing him to kick and punch people throughout.

Not a terrible film...but a terrible ending.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 1 March 2019]

"Good Guys Wear Black" is a movie that earned back more than 18 times what it cost...in the United States alone! Calling it a hit film is certainly an understatement!

The early part of this film is a bit confusing and it's not told sequentially. To make it easier, I'll explain it in the way it SHOULD have been explained. John Booker (Chuck Norris) was the head of a secret mission into Vietnam to rescue MIA soldiers still being held by the North Vietnamese following the war. This secret mission is a told screw up and it seems obvious to everyone (except Booker) that they've been compromised. Only a handful of men escape and now, several years later, someone is killing them off...one by one. This is brought to Booker's attention by a pretty lawyer (Anne Archer) and soon he springs into action...trying to save the surviving members as well as himself.

Apart from a confusing narrative early in the picture, the story also has an ending that simply seem botched. When Booker finally confronts the baddie who is behind all this, it's a poor moment for two reasons...the baddie just talks and talks and talks and Booker leaves without killing him. Then, he returns a bit later to do this job but in a way that left lots of opportunity for the guy to survive and Booker to possibly die. It seriously looks like they had no idea how to end this...undoing much of the good in the film. After all, it is Chuck Norris and his martial arts skills are phenomenal.

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.

We really wanted to like the movie more.

[tarbosh22000 · 4/10 · 1 November 2013]

John T. Booker (Chuck) is a former Vietnam commando who has blown up his fair share of huts and guard towers when in his prime. Five years after the end of the war, he's living a peaceful life as a teacher and race car enthusiast in Riverside, California. There's even a romance brewing with journalist Margaret (Archer), and all seems well. That is, until members of his former unit start being assassinated one by one. This sends John T. Booker on a quest to find out the truth behind the ruthless murders. He just may find that it's a conspiracy that goes - you guessed it - all the way to the top. Will good guys wear black, or will good guys be DEAD? Find out today… Good Guys Wear Black is a pretty early Chuck movie, and has an old-fashioned, staid vibe to it more suited to the TV movies of the day. We found it boring, talky, and it looks its age, and not in a good way. There isn't even any Martial Arts until an HOUR into the movie. All that being said, there is a standout action setpiece around that point.

Chuck is a guy you can't help but like, and, despite the annoyingly minimal character development (what else is new in the world of Chuck), his mustache is looking especially walrus-y this time around. Plus the opening credits sequence sets things up to be a lot cooler than what follows, with snazzy 70's-era computer graphics and nice music. But then it goes into a 'Nam sequence the viewer has trouble seeing, and interest starts to slip. From there it goes to some government yakety-yak, and interest slips even more. If not for Chuck's superstache, this first half would have been a total waste.

Interestingly, though, Seagal ripped off Chuck once again - Chuck was first when playing the silent-but-intellectual professor, decades before "Professor Robert Burns". Another thing going against the movie is the unusually fuzzy presentation from Vestron. This seems to be a rare lapse for the normally fine company. The visuals are dull and washed out. Maybe other presentations on other formats are better, we're not sure. If you have another version, write in to let us know. But it all kind of cumulatively adds up against the viewer's enjoyment. It made us aloof to most of the proceedings, and the slow, overlong nature of it all certainly didn't help either.

We 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 big action setpiece in the middle. That's ALL it had to do to win us over. But no, there was too much mush clogging things up. So it's all very middle-of-the-road, as way too many Chuck movies are, as things didn't start to pick up for him until later in his career.

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.

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 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.

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.