Tödliche Beute (1987)
46KTödliche Beute: Directed by David A. Prior. With Cameron Mitchell, Troy Donahue, Ted Prior, Fritz Matthews. A group of sadistic mercenaries kidnap people off the streets and set them loose on the grounds of their secret camp, so the “students” at the camp can learn how to track down and kill their prey.
“Beefcake u0026quot;actoru0026quot; Ted Prior (brother of writer u0026amp; director David A. Prior) stars as Mike Danton, a former Marine, in this B level gem. Itu0026#39;s about as far as you can get from high art, with a whole lot of completely inept action sequences and hilariously lame performances. Obviously owing a heavy debt to that familiar old plot of u0026quot;The Most Dangerous Gameu0026quot;, itu0026#39;s also clearly inspired by u0026quot;First Bloodu0026quot; and its sequels, as well as u0026quot;Commandou0026quot;.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eColonel John Hogan (David Campbell) leads a group of mercenaries. Theyu0026#39;re hired for a gig by an unscrupulous u0026quot;businessmanu0026quot; named Michaelson (Troy Donahue). The thing about these guys, though, is that they like to have thorough training sessions before the actual missions. So they abduct guys like Mike, and chase them through the California woods. But theyu0026#39;ve made an extremely dumb move in selecting Mike this time around, and heu0026#39;s going to give them what-for in a major way.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTop billed Cameron Mitchell, who plays a former cop and the father to Mikesu0026#39; wife Jaimy (Suzanne Tara), is very much just here for his name value. He has little to add to the plot. Instead, the action focuses on the studly Ted P., who for much of the running time darts around in short shorts. Ted may not be Olivier, but his emoting near the end still needs to be seen to be believed. Campbell is amusing as the money hungry villain, as is Fritz Matthews as Lieutenant Thornton, his main henchman.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Deadly Preyu0026quot; can boast a steady supply of violence and a respectably high body count, but it might not be gory enough to suit some tastes.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe absolute best moment of this epic occurs between Mike and Thornton. Youu0026#39;ll know it when you see it, and may howl with appreciative laughter.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Deadly Preyu0026quot; is deliciously daft nonsense, with an ultra corny theme song to serve as perfect accompaniment.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSeven out of 10.”
