Born American (1986)

User Rating:

4.6/10   

Director:

Renny Harlin

Writers:

Renny Harlin (writer)
Markus Selin (writer)

Release Date:

30 August 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Freedom is just a word...until you lose it.

Plot:

Three American students vacationing in Finland, cross the border into Russia for fun of it. When they...

Plot Keywords:

Border | Finland | Soldier | Russia | American

Cast

Mike Norris	...	Savoy
Steve Durham	...	Mitch
David Coburn	...	K.C.
Thalmus Rasulala	...	The Admiral
Albert Salmi	...	United States emissary
Piita Vuosalmi	...	Nadja
Vesa Vierikko	...	Kapsky
Ismo Kallio	...	Zarkov
Laura Heimo	...	Irina
Antti Horko	...	Cossack
Pauli Virtanen	...	Sergei
Jone Takamäki	...	Interrogator (as Jouni Takamäki)
Inkeri Luoma-Aho	...	Female Guard
Markku Blomqvist	...	Irina's Father
Sari Havas	...	Girl at Party

Also Known As:

Arctic Heat (International: English title) (working title)
Born american - jäätävä polte (Finland)
Jäätävä polte (Finland)
Wild Force (Finland) (working title)

Runtime:

97 min | Germany:85 min | USA:95 min

Country:

USA | Finland

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:(Banned) (original rating) (1986) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1989) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1986) | Finland:K-15 (2006) | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Iceland:16 | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Enontekiö, Finland

Company:

Cinema Group Ventures

Trivia:

Director's cameo: Voice of the speaker in ship.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "A-studio: A-Raportti: Nykyaikaa etsimässä" (1985)

Decent debut, but I'd be lying if I'd claim it great

So what is the truth about 'Born American' (or Arctic Heat)? The full truth is, that it is a debut movie of an action director who has done couple of hits and a couple of misses. And despite of its childish and almost propaganda like portrayal of the soviets, it does have a couple of interesting scenes in it.

It's easy to say, and see, that BA is an product of its era. Cold war was on and Soviet Union was seen as a huge menace. It's not only action film painting this kind of images about the soviet union, but maybe it is one with the most over the top approach, as almost all the Russians are shown as dirty and almost barbaric lunatics.

The plot is quite simple: three Americans are exploring Finland and they decide to cross the border to Soviet Union. The silly sods venture deeper into the Russia and are soon caught, which leads into an action scene, where almost everything explodes or burns down. Later, when the yanks are taken into the prison/labor camp the movie turns towards so unrealistic direction, that you don't know to laugh or to cry.

'Born American' isn't Harlins best movie, but surprisingly enough it ain't his worst either. It lacks the fluent movement of more experienced director, but over all as a debut movie it has some merits working for it. In 80's standards the action works pretty well and out of all brainless action movies made during that era it fits in pretty well with the rest of them.