The Delta Force, released in theaters on February 14, 1986, is a high-octane action-thriller loosely based on the real-life 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847. The film stars Chuck Norris as Major Scott McCoy and Lee Marvin in one of his final roles as Colonel Nick Alexander, the leaders of the elite U.S. counter-terrorism unit, Delta Force.
The plot begins with a routine commercial flight from Athens to Rome being hijacked mid-flight by ruthless Lebanese terrorists.
The terrorists demand the release of dozens of their imprisoned countrymen and divert the plane to Beirut, taking the American and international passengers hostage.
When diplomatic efforts fail, the Delta Force team is activated and secretly deployed.
Their mission: infiltrate the area, locate the hostages, and execute a swift, violent rescue operation.
Major McCoy (Norris) leads the charge on the ground, utilizing his martial arts skills and riding his custom-built motorcycle—equipped with rockets—to neutralize the terrorist threat.
The operation is complex, involving navigating the chaotic, war-torn streets of Beirut and systematically eliminating the cells holding the scattered hostages.
The film is known for its extended, dramatic rescue sequences and intense action choreography.
The cast is notable for its incredible depth, featuring several established veterans who add gravitas to the intense situation.
Martin Balsam, Shelley Winters, Robert Vaughn, Joey Bishop, George Kennedy, Bo Svenson, Hanna Schygulla, Robert Forster and Steve James round out the all-star cast.
The Delta Force was directed by Menahem Golan (Enter the Ninja, Over the Top).
The film was followed by two sequels: Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection in 1990 with Norris returning and Delta Force 3: The Killing Game in 1991 that starred Nick Cassavetes and Mike Norris.
Lee Marvin and Chuck Norris in The Delta Force (Photo/Cannon Films)
Reception for The Delta Force
The Delta Force grossed $6 million on its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office behind Down & Out in Beverly Hills ($7 million) and The Color Purple ($6.2 million).
The film would gross $17.8 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The Delta Force‘s legacy is that of a defining 1980s action film, capitalizing on the popularity of Norris and cementing the heroic, uncompromising portrayal of military action popularized by Cannon Films.
Though often seen as a piece of jingoistic action cinema, it remains a highly successful and influential film that solidified the modern action template for military rescue thrillers.
