John Miliuswas a writer and filmmaker who made some monumental contributions to1970s cinema, in particular. Although he also directed a few features of his own, his talents primarily lay in writing. Despite initially setting out to simply work on B-movies, he ended up being involved in legendary projects likeMagnum Force,Apocalypse Now, andConan the Barbarian. These three movies alone ensure his place in movie history.
His writing tends to be muscular and intense, featuring violence galore and a lot of quotable one-liners. He’s also a lean and economical storyteller, which he attributes to influences likeHermann MelvilleandJack Kerouac. “Moby DickandOn the Roadare completely different kinds of novels, yet they’re both extremely disciplined,” he has said. In other words, he’s influenced by both pulpy and artistic traditions. These are Milius’s ten best projects as a screenwriter, ranked.
10’The Wind and the Lion' (1975)
Directed by John Milius
“I roar in defiance but you do not hear.” This epic adventure blends historical events with swashbuckling romance. Set in 1904, the story is loosely inspired by the real-life kidnapping of an American citizen named Pedecaris (Candice Bergen), byMulai Ahmed er Raisuli(Sean Connery), a Berber chieftain in Morocco. The film followsPresident Theodore Roosevelt’s (Brian Keith) efforts to rescue Pedecaris, while captor and captive form a strange bond.
This is a pretty bizarre premise, so much so that the filmmakers themselves don’t really seem to know what to do with it.The Wind and the Lionis tonally confused, caught somewhere adventure and long-winded dialogue. On top of that, the writing is often clichéd and certainly disappointing for Milius. It hasn’t aged well either and feels like a movie from an earlier decade than the 1970s. The only really strong element here is the evocative score byJerry Goldsmith, which channels majorLawrence of Arabiavibes.
Rent on AppleTV
9’Red Dawn' (1984)
“All that hate’s gonna burn you up, kid.“Red Dawnportrays a dystopian scenario where the United States is invaded by Soviet, Cuban, and Nicaraguan forces. Set in a small Colorado town, the story follows a group of high school students who form a guerrilla resistance movement named “Wolverines” to fight back against the occupying forces. Led by brothers Jed (Patrick Swayze) and Matt Eckert (Charlie Sheen), the young insurgents employ guerilla tactics to disrupt the enemy.
It’s all thoroughly ridiculous and intensely patriotic,reflecting the Cold War tensionsof the time. The movie is also incredibly violent,reportedlyserving up acts of violence at a rate of 2.23 per minute. Indeed, the shootouts and ambushes get a little repetitive. That said,Red Dawnhas a kind of gonzo appeal and some genuinely funny moments. It’s like a young boy’s fantasy of a wartime adventure, making up in intensity what it lacks in depth.
It is the dawn of World War III. In the west mountains of America, a group of teenagers band together to defend their town, and their country, from invading Soviet forces.
Watch on Max
8’Conan the Barbarian' (1982)
“There was a time, boy, when I searched for steel, when steel meant more to me than gold or jewels.“Arnold Schwarzeneggerdeliversone of his most famous performancesin this sword-and-sorcery classic. After his parents are killed by the malevolent warlord Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), Conan is enslaved and trained as a gladiator. Over time, he grows into a formidable warrior, seeking revenge against Doom and his cult.
This is unadulterated ’80s fantasy entertainment, replete with brutal swordfights, muscular heroes, malevolent wizards, and monstrous serpents. Some of its story elements have since become iconic, like the Riddle of Steel.Lord of the Rings, this is not, butConan the Barbarianis cheesily fun, even today. It works because of how all-in it is. Instead of opting for a safe, PG-rated adventure, Milius took the bold route, delivering an R-rated, testosterone-fueled epic that resonated with audiences and raked in big returns at the box office. It quickly spawned a legion of inferior imitators.
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
A young boy, Conan, becomes a slave after his parents are killed and tribe destroyed by a savage warlord and sorcerer, Thulsa Doom. When he grows up he becomes a fearless, invincible fighter. Set free, he plots revenge against Thulsa Doom.
7Watch on Netflix’Clear and Present Danger' (1994)
Directed by Phillip Noyce
“Revenge is a very, very, very dangerous motivation.” Milius adapted this one from theTom Clancynovel, withHarrison Fordin the role of CIA analyst Jack Ryan. When a close friend of the President is murdered by a drug cartel, Ryan is appointed acting Deputy Director of Intelligence, tasked with uncovering the truth behind the assassination. As he delves deeper, he discovers a shady military operation led by the enigmatic John Clark (Willem Dafoe).
While not especially groundbreaking,Clear and Present Dangeris well-told; an object lesson in how to adapt Clancy’s work.Ford and Dafoe do a lot of heavy lifting, joined by the equally strong Harris Yulin, James Earl Jones, and Henry Czerny in the supporting cast. Their characters are pretty thin on the page butthe performers flesh them out a lot. In any case, the main attraction here is not the characterization but the juicy, breakneck plot.
Clear And Present Danger
6Watch on Max’The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean' (1972)
Directed by John Huston
“All men stand equal before the law. And I will hang a man for killing anyone.” This comedic Western featuresPaul Newmanas a self-appointed judge who dispenses his own brand of justice in the small, lawless town of Vinegaroon, Texas. Based loosely on historical events, the story follows Bean’s transformation from a drifter to a local legend, ruling his town with an iron fist and an unorthodox sense of justice.
JudgeRoy Beanwas a real person, but Milius plays fast and loose with the facts, creating a fable rather than a biopic. It works:The Life and Times of Judge Roy Beanis undeniably charming. Milius is helped greatly in this by the captivating Newman, who could make any character seem larger than life. Interesting bit of trivia: the theme music for this film plays during the final moments ofOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood. PerhapsTarantinowas trying to establish a connection between Bean’s informal brand of justice and that meted out by Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt).
5’Dillinger' (1973)
“You ain’t got nothing to fear. You’re being robbed by the John Dillinger Gang, that’s the best there is!” This is Milius’s take on the infamous life of one of America’s most iconic gangsters.Warren Oatesplays the title character, capturingDillinger’s charisma and ruthlessness as he leads a series of bank robberies across the Midwest during the Great Depression. In particular, the film follows Dillinger’s rise to infamy, his close encounters with law enforcement, and his eventual downfall at the hands of FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Ben Johnson).
Again,this is more of a legend than a factual biopic, at times taking an outright revisionist approach to the characters. Casting Oates was an especially shrewd move, as he makes Dillinger both likable and unforgettable. Milius succeeds in turning his story into a bloody dark comedy. It’s not bad for a directorial debut, especially given that Milius was just 29 years old at the time.
4’Big Wednesday' (1978)
“Will you delinquents shut up?” This coming-of-age drama follows three friends, Matt (Jan-Michael Vincent), Jack (William Katt), and Leroy (Gary Busey), over the course of a decade, from the early 1960s to the 1970s. United by their love of surfing, the trio navigates the challenges of growing up, facing personal struggles, the Vietnam War, and the changing social landscape of America.
Steven Spielbergmemorablydescribed the filmas “American GraffitimeetsJaws.” While that’s a bit of a stretch,it’s certainly powerful, culminating in a climactic contest between the main characters and massive, violent waves.The narrative structure is unconventional, and the ending is suitably intense. It’s also chock-full of food for thought about the 1960s and the Baby Boomer generation in general.As Milius explains: “It wasn’t just a story about somebody trying to ride the biggest wave or something. That’s not enough.” More than that,Big Wednesdayradiates a sense of joy. One can sense the love and care that went into making it.
Buy on Amazon
3’Magnum Force' (1973)
Directed by Ted Post
“This is a 44. Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and it could blow your head clean off.“Magnum Forceis the sequel toDirty Harry, featuringClint Eastwoodat the height of his power. The story follows Callahan as he investigates a series of vigilante killings targeting criminals who have escaped justice. As the body count rises, Callahan uncovers a group of rogue police officers, led by Lieutenant Briggs (Hal Holbrook), who have taken the law into their own hands.
The movie is intense from the very first frame, a close-up of the high-powered weapon that gives the movie its name. From there, it serves up car and motorbike chases and high-octane shootouts, as well as a host of memorable one-liners.It’s not quite as good as its predecessor, but that was to be expected. It’s still a solid follow-up that set a high standard for franchise filmmaking that is still emulated today.
Magnum Force
Magnum Force follows San Francisco Police Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan as he investigates a string of vigilantism led by rogue cops who have taken justice into their own hands. As mysterious murders of criminals escalate, Callahan must unravel the conspiracy and restore order to the streets.
2Rent on Amazon’Jeremiah Johnson' (1972)
Directed by Sydney Pollack
“I told my pap and mam I was going to be a mountain man; they acted like they was gut-shot.“Robert Redfordhelms this Western adventure as a disillusioned soldier who retreats to the Rocky Mountains to live as a hermit. Seeking solitude and a simpler life, Johnson learns to survive in the harsh wilderness, guided by an old mountain man, Bear Claw (Will Geer). As he adapts to his new environment, Johnson encounters Native American tribes, trappers, and settlers, forging a path from mundaneity to legend.
The movie benefits by not overly romanticizing Johnson’s lifestyle.His is a hard existence defined by scarcity and danger. This is evident from the impressive, almost documentary-style opening scenes showing Redford learning survival skills. By turns gorgeous and frightening,Jeremiah Johnsonis a standout Western from the early ’70s, featuring some of Milius’s very best writing. It’s unusually artsy and contemplative for the time, without being too ponderous.
Jeremiah Johnson
1Rent on Amazon’Apocalypse Now' (1979)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
“There is no way to tell his story without telling my own. And if his story is really a confession, then so is mine.” When it comes to Milius’s filmography, no film can topApocalypse Now, which he co-wrote withFrancis Ford CoppolafromJoseph Conrad’sHeart of Darkness. It’s simply one of the best war films ever made and perhaps the most disturbingly authentic study of the conflict in Vietnam.
Milius’s contributions to the script were essential.In fact, it was his idea to adapt the novel in the first place. Reportedly, his initial drafts amounted to more than a thousand pages. He also came up with the film’smost famous lines, including, “Charlie don’t surf” and “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”. Only a director of Coppola’s stature could have pulled off such a Herculean production, but none of it would have been possible without the foundation laid by Milius’s writing. For this reason, it’s sure to be his most enduring project.
Apocalypse Now
A U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.
