The Wolverines
Base Camp…New Mexico
1-3 -84 Happy New Year!
This scene was “cut out” because of a shooting ‘murder” at this establishment.
Also appearing in Grandview ,U.S.A. Same year. This role on Red Dawn helped propel Patrick to Stardom.
Actor and stuntman George Fisher
Patrick Swayze, C.Thomas Howell, and Charlie Sheen ready to take on the Soviet Invaders.
The part a KGB Major, George Fisher leads his invading forces against -The Wolverines.
Rick Waite, Emmy Award winning cinematographer, responsible for the films overall look.
“Mock up’s” –Aerospatiale S.A 330 Pumas – designed to resemble Soviet Style “Hind -A ” gunships.
Three fine “set electricians” on the way to the bank. Paul Vaskay, and Joe Vinetz, proudly wearing his MGM sweatshirt.
Let there be snow…
These mocked up choppers would later be used in Rambo 3
Universal had a hit helicopter series at this time titled-AirWolf – 1984-1987.
Chapman Camera Crane puts the camera where it needs to be.
Camera Copter
Another “Mock up” Armored vehicle undercarriage mainly from M41 tanks-and fabrication recreated a T-72 Russian Tanks.
Always potential hazards, both seen and unseen, exist in any scene flying in proximity to crew below.
Farewell Comrade-until a sequel is made…
A Cult Classic and one of the last films done by MGM before all the restructuring with Lorimar and United Artists...
The Russian Equipment needed was fabricated, yet highly realistic to resemble Soviet T-72 tanks. Constructed on a cargo and Walker Bull Dog chassis’s. Fiberglass turrets and aluminum guns. built by MGM’s production team. A job so well done, these tanks were repurposed for other war films to follow.
The plot...
The film portrays a fictional surprise Soviet Invasion of the U.S stemming from instability in the Soviet Union and a poor food harvest. Soviet soldiers invade a small Colorado town, prompting brothers Jed and Matt Eckert to escape with friends into the forest.Their dad was captured by the invaders so the children fight back against his captors-the Soviets.As the country comes under increased attacks, the group teams up with Lt. Colonel Andrew Tanner to take back their town.
Originally titled “Ten Soldiers,” this film had a modest budget. Producer Barry Beckerman saw something in this story written by Kevin Reynolds. Kevin wanted to direct it but the producers wanted Walter Hill to direct it, but like a few other directors, they turned it down.
The Beckerman’s father /son team pitched the project to David Begelman at MGM. Although turned down, it was considered an anti-war film the sort of “Lord of the Flies.” The film chances increased when Kevin Reynolds became mentored by Steven Spielberg-who helped him make “Fandango,”:the script was finally purchased by MGM.
John Milius was signed on to direct and the top brass at MGM decided against a poignant antiwar movie and twisted it into a war movie…The style of “Rambo.” Mr. Milius loves war movies. MGM Board of Directors included General Alexander Haig, the former Nixon Chief of staff, who yearned to personally supervise production.
Most the staff did not want John to direct and lead an effort to have the writer, Kevin to direct it. and hoped Steven Spielberg could put this subject to bed with his recommendation. That did not happen, “Fandango,” their previous project, was not shaping up as expected during the editing, prompting Steven not to cast a vote in favor of sealing in Mr. Reynolds. John was signed to direct for 1.5 million dollars.
Milllius began a rewriting the script based off Hitler’s proposed plans to invade the U.S. Haig took John to The Hudson Institute, a conservative “think tank’ for a plausible scenario. The director and Mr. Haig had differing vision than the director, but Haig controlled the money and the budget jumped from 6 million to 18 million dollars.
Director John saw this as an anti-war film, if Americans, see what war might look like on its own soil. Production pushed this film faster than the director preferred because MGM wanted this ready for a summer release. The director wanted more time to prep including devising futuristic weaponry.
The Department of Defense agreed to provide assistance to this film, an interesting subject itself. But director J.Millius failed to cooperate deciding doing so would drive up costs. Robert Blake was first option to star by John, but was overruled and Powers Boothe was selected.
One scene was cut involving Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. A sex scene, Patrick was drunk and messed up his lines while filming, while I was “Jennifer Grey” high on marijuana so it got cut out, according to Ms. Grey. Her negative interaction made her anxious to work with Patrick Swayze again but, never say never, and the two delivered a happy ending in “Dirty Dancing.”
Locations…
New Mexico and Las Vegas. The Fred Harvey Company, next to a train depot was repainted Calumet, Colorado.” An old Safeway grocery store was converted to a sound stage and used to film several scenes. The McDonald’s restaurant scene was cut out do to a shooting right before the film release at that restaurant.
In a real world nod to this movie “‘Wolverines” graffiti was spotted on destroyed Russian armor during the 2022 Ukraine invasion. Final costs totaled 17 million dollars returning 38 million dollars back.
Written and Lived by….Donnie Norden.
Phantom of the Backlots 