User reviews

I don't usually like Chuck, but this one hit the spot. I thought the producers could have left out the cornball love scenes, but it still played pretty good. It was totally predictable, particularly the big kick-off between Chuck and Carradine at the end. If you like martial arts, car chases, explosions and hammy, overdone acting then you will go for this one. Funny, Chuck seems to be a crummier actor now than he did when filming this movie.

Chuck Norris and David Carradine make this one heck of an action movie by virtue of their performances, alone. It's dated, and in serious need of a remake, but above average for its time. While seriously dated, this film has become an institution among action fans, so if you are a fan of the genre and haven't seen this, you should really give it a viewing.

The performances and execution of this work are typical of the age, and the dialog is pretty stiff, especially when "at the station," but otherwise, it's a decent Chuck Norris film.

Some say it's his best. Unfortunately, I cannot agree with that assessment. He got better, as he grew more mature, in my opinion, but this is the first of the best, at any rate.

It rates a 6.8/10 from...

the Fiend :.

Released in 1983, "Lone Wolf McQuade" inspired the TV series Walker, Texas Ranger that came out a decade later. Chuck Norris stars as the eponymous McQuade, a kick-axx ranger from El Paso who's known for being a 'lone wolf.' He takes on a drug kingpin (David Carradine) whose gang uses automatic weapons while protecting his daughter (Dana Kimmell) and romancing the kingpin's babe (Barbara Carrera).

While it's easy to write off this film because it's so cartoony, melodramatic and unrealistic, it's a quality action flick if you can embrace it for what it is. The action's good, which includes a few martial arts sequences, and the screenwriter at least attempts to add some depth to the characters. Carradine hams it up as the villain dripping with evil while Norris plays an effective loner protagonist. Kimmell is cute and Carrera is ravishing, but they could've done more with them. The spaghetti Western score by Francesco De Masi is excellent and the authentic Southwest cinematography is a plus.

The film runs 107 minutes and was shot in El Paso, Texas.

GRADE: B-

When I was growing up, I would watch Eye For An Eye a million times a year. That was my favorite Norris movie, until I came across Lone Wolf McQuade in the video stores in 1987. I love that movie SO MUCH! The acting isn't that great (I don't think any of his movies have 1st rate acting), but being an action Norris movie, it's right on target! The musical theme to Lone Wolf McQuade fit very much in the movie. It sounds a bit like those Eastwood spaghetti western themes, but better! If anyone didn't like this movie, they're brain dead! (Anyone who's a Norris fan that is) :) If you're a TRUE Norris fan & if you love action flicks, rent this movie today, you'll love it!

Yes the perfect movie to relax with a few cans. Chuck Norris and David Carradine are World Champions at this kind of action oater. With some exciting Martial Arts action and some serious gun-play sequences. Also contains some authentic Itallian Western music, by the great Francessco De Masi. Fans of both Chuck and David.C, will love this.

"Lone Wolf McQuade" is essentially a reworking of "Dirty Harry". Although it's set in El Paso and stars Chuck Norris and often kicks/punches, he's essentially the same sort of character...a guy who prefers to work on his own, says little and takes on all sorts of evil.

The story begins with McQuade taking out a group of evil scum...and soon gets chewed out by his boss (a familiar "Dirty Harry" plot device). Later, after his daughter is nearly killed and her boyfriend gunned down, McQuade investigates...even though it's a federal case and McQuade is a Texas Ranger (Texas state police). He does have a partner (Robert Beltran...of "Star Trek: Voyager" fame) but you assume that being the partner of the Lone Wolf is probably a short-term assignment...just like with Dirty Harry. The killing turns out to be part of a weapons theft ring fun by the baddie Rawley Wilkes (David Carradine) and you KNOW by the end of the film there will be an ultimate boss battle between him and McQuade. In between, there are lots of shootings, stompings, kickings, punchings and more.



While this film is clearly a re-working of "Dirty Harry", the film has far less realism due to some cliches. A few of the sillier ones include an opening scene when a guy shoots at McQuade and McQuade just stands there...until ultimately killing the gunman (this happens at the beginning AND end of the movie), the bad guys NEVER cry out for help when McQuade attacks them, cars explode when he shoots them and bullets simply never come close to hitting him. On the plus, side, Norris does his own stunts (some of them are insanely dangerous) and is amazing as a martial artist. Overall, a bit dopey but enjoyable. Good if you just want a mindless action film.

Wooden acting, poor script, poor casting, comically bad action scenes, lack of continuity between scenes (he's wounded!, he's not!) .... and this was Chuck Norris at his best? You should probably drink several six-packs or ingest some drugs before attempting this one. Painfully bad to watch. I'm left wondering - after all the positive reviews - if I've missed something. Maybe the multiple six-packs. Some positive notes (else, why even a 4?) Barbera Carrera and Robert Beltran are great and the exciting battle and fight scene (despite multiple Carradine and Norris medical issues ) at the end make the movie (finally!) worthwhile to watch . The whole movie however seems 2D and cartoonish and has as direct-to-tv/dvd vibe. Pity, as I really looked forward to liking it.

Among all Chuck Norris movies I've watched so far, there were a few I rather liked (especially "Missing In Action" was so hilarious they had to quote it in "Hot Shots 2"), but "Lone Wolf McQuade" is the first time I actually loved every minute. I confess. There are many good reasons for it, though. Already in the opening scene, I noticed the excellent music by Francesco De Masi. The guitars, bells, trumpets, harmonicas are straight from the school of spaghetti western and turn every close-up into larger-than-life drama. David Carradine is a opponent way ahead of the villains Chuck battled in other flicks. Barbara Carrera ("Never Say Never Again") catches the eye as a widow falling in love with Chuck. The story is (intentionally or not) kept as basic as possible: hero meets bad guys, tries a solution with violence, doesn't work, tries MORE violence, then it works. Much in this movie defies reason and logic, but don't ask "why?", just view it as a kind of ritualistic fantasy western in a modern day decoration, thus it can be great fun. And you learn a lot of useful things, for example: you can revive a seemingly dead and definitely buried man with two cans of beer. And don't miss one of the first computer hacking scenes in film history, you won't believe your eyes.

Chuck Norris at his best. Plus the climax is incredible. Chuck Norris vs David Carradine. Karate vs Kung Fu!

The previous posters comments about this film say something about the reviewer. Um...Chuck Norris and David Carradine??...what kind of movie did you expect with two KNOWN martial arts stars in it? High Plains Drifter?

This movie ranks as probably one of Chuck Norris' best action films of his career and was certainly the basis for his very successful series character "Walker, Texas Ranger". With this movie we saw Chuck change from his old image of the blonde, California boy to the dark haired, bearded, tough guy Chuck we know today. Chuck's movies took on a slightly tougher edge from this film forward (i.e. Invasion USA, Code of Silence). And who can fault the addition of "grasshopper" himself David Carradine to the mix? A major casting coup for the film. Carradine camps it up as a drug smuggling, karate champ who taunts and ultimately tries to kill Texas Ranger McQuade. The dialogue and action are typical of the genre and the time period but for some reason this film stands the test of time like some of the John Wayne westerns of old. Chuck clearly wished to set himself in that "lone, lawman, hero" mold of Wayne with this film.

There is one shot in the opening sequence where McQuade walks into frame in silhouette with the sun behind him, bearing down on his enemy that is right out of the classic westerns of the 50's. That's the money shot of the film. Robert Beltrane (of "Star Trek: Voyager" fame) does a nice, early career stint here as the hapless, partner who forced to tag along on McQuade's heels, but who saves the day in some small way. Much like Tyne Daly did to Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry in "The Enforcer".

And you just can't beat the final showdown between Carradine & Norris, which ranks right up there with Chuck's other famous duel with Bruce Lee. It's Action Cinema Gold.

All in all, a great little film for people who like action heroes.

Why do 90 percent of the people writing reviews on this site have to tell the entire synopsis of the movie?

It's a waste of time. Just tell us what you liked/disliked of the movie and go about your business!

This is actually a pretty nifty little action film, fashioned as a modern day "spaghetti western." Solid direction by B-Movie veteran Steve Carver and a well-written script combine with a first rate performance by Norris (his absolute best to date....this character could be seen as a prototype to his current smash hit on TV, "Walker: Texas Ranger")to make this great escapist entertainment. David Carradine is also memorable as the chief villain of the story.

I saw this film in a packed theatre when it was first released and the audience just ate it up. The scene where he drives his truck out of a grave that the bad guys have buried him in was a particular crowd-pleaser!

Chuck Norris stars as JJ McQuade, a Texas Ranger who fights lawless men on the Texas-Mexico border. When a large gun-running team come through his area, composed of both David Carradine and a midget in a wheelchair, he goes ballistic. And then when his girlfriend and daughter are at risk? Watch out!

I haven't seen many Norris films. They seem doomed by low budgets, poor quality and the writing talents of those who usually would pump out dime novels. But if you're watching this stuff, you know it's not great -- you just want explosions and roundhouse kicks to the face. This film delivers.

Other Norris films I've seen in the past few years -- "Hero and the Terror" and "Code of Silence", for example -- were fine, but nothing special. This one goes the extra mile and provides Carradine, the Kung Fu master himself. What more could you want than a Norris-Carradine kick-off? And while this does not happen until much later on, you will get plenty of fighting and gunplay until then.

A shout-out to the midget who is obsessed with video games and secret devices. Like a James Bond villain, almost, complete with wheelchair and suit. He really made this film fun to watch, as the Carradine was not enough (great fighter, mediocre actor).

If you're going to watch a Norris film and "Sidekicks" is not available, this is a decent choice. The story is effective, engaging, and if you ignore some plot holes, it's a fun ride. Although if you're looking for a Norris film in the first place, you're obviously not expecting even this much. Oh, and I forgot to mention that you will learn how to escape from being buried underground: the secret is Pearl beer, a brew made exclusively in Fort Worth.

Chuck Norris does a spaghetti western....sort of. Chuck plays a Texas Ranger (not named Walker) who plays by his own rules. He's a lone wolf and likes it that way. I felt more manly just watching him. Anyway, Chuck is annoyed by quite a few things in this film, including the new partner forced upon him and his new girlfriend who cleans his house without asking. But those minor annoyances don't matter compared to the trouble bad guy David Carradine causes for him. The two eventually square off in a fight scene that ranks among the best of Chuck's long career.

Lone Wolf McQuade is a fun movie that any Chuck Norris fan will enjoy. It has some elements of the earlier Chuck-Fu years but it's definitely moving into the Cannon era, with Chuck shooting as much (if not more) than he kicks in this one. This would be the last film he did before he signed with Cannon and went on to make many great '80s actioners. Chuck's good in the role, which obviously requires very little. David Carradine is fun as the villain. The supporting cast is fine, with Barbara Carrera as Chuck's girlfriend with a tie to the villain, Dana Kimmell as Chuck's annoyingly perky daughter, and vet L.Q. Jones as Chuck's buddy. The action scenes are well-done and the direction is solid. As for my opening statement about this being "sort of" a spaghetti western. Well, that's because of Francesco De Masi's score, which is heavily influenced by Ennio Morricone. Take away that music and you wouldn't think there was anything remotely like a spaghetti western here. But the score is a large part of the film's style and really helps make this work. Not my favorite Chuck movie from his glory days but it's one of his best pre-Cannon efforts.

The picture is plenty of action-packed , tension , suspense and cheesy sub-plot , to boot with wild stunts . This time Chuck Norris is a tough Texas Ranger taking on a nasty gunrunner , David Carradine , while he falls in love for a suspicious widow : Barbara Carrera . Along the way, McQuade holds several risks , dangerous confrontation , kidnapping his daughter , friends' murder, his own burying and anything else. Whether it comes to fighting...or loving...or killing...There's No One like J. J. McQuade. The 'Mad Dog' Criminal...The 'Lone Wolf' Lawman...The Ultimate Showdown. Chuck Norris is Lone Wolf McQuade. David Carradine is the man that got in his way. When Norris meets Carradine all hell breaks loose!

A nice Chuck Norris recital with thrills , noisy action, hot pursuits , fights , nail-biting action scenes , and lots of violence . The film is really influenced by Spaghetti Western subgenre , including ordinary shootouts in italian style , violent standoff and great musical score by Francesco De Massi in the wake of Ennio Morricone soundtracks . The movie displays a plethora of martial art fights , as Norris faces enemies by means of punches , kicks-asses , slaps , leaps with struggles certainly slickly choreographed . It's violent , frenetic and hectic and not particularly literary but worthy entry in the genre . Here Chuck Norris as an army man proves his fighting skills and his portentous figure as an action hero . The film belongs to Norris' best period , during the 80s , such as : ¨Code of silence¨ , ¨Delta Force¨ , ¨Silent rage¨ , ¨Octagon¨ , ¨Forced vengeance¨ ,¨ Force of one¨ , among others with successful box-office in cinema theaters as video-rentals . In the 90s and 2000s with exception of ¨Walker Texas Ranger¨, the Norris star has gone down . He's well accompanied by a good cast , including the following ones : David Carradine as the extremely villainous contender , Barbara Carrera as the gorgeous damsel , Robert Beltran as the rookie cop , Len Isaac Kennedy , the veteran L. Q. Jones , Dana Kimmell , R. G. Armstrong , Sharon Farrell, Daniel Frishman , William Sanderson, among others .

The motion picture was professionally directed by Steve Carver. This craftman recently deceased due to complications from COVID-19 . He was a good director who made all kinds of genres and an expert on action/thriller genre such as : ¨Capone¨, ¨Big Bad Mama¨, ¨Steel¨, Drum¨ and directed two successful hits for Chuck Norris as ¨Lone McQuade¨ and ¨An eye for eye¨. His last films have been failed as ¨The wolves¨, ¨Dead center¨ and ¨River of death¨ . Rating : 6/10 , well worth watching .

What can I say? This one is a classic!! My all time favorite movie is John Carpenter's Escape from New York with Kurt Russell. Lone Wolf McQuade falls into the same genre of early 80's action movies. I saw this movie when I was a kid and thought to myself, "wow-that desert place looks cool as hell". Well now I live in El Paso.

Everything about this movie is great. It has it all. Killer fistfights, beer, explosions, gunfights, awesome scenery, an evil midget, more beer, and one damn fine senorita' played by Barbera Carrera. The fight at the end between Norris and Carradine is one of the best on film. It's up there with the fight in Roadhouse, and in Die Hard. If you like good ole' fashioned kick ass action. This is your movie!!! A Chuck Norris masterpiece!

Cheesy goodness from the king of crummy American karate, Mr. Chuck Norris! See Chuck train in his front yard! See Chuck beat up a biker bar full of potbellied Heck's Angels! See every cliched moment between two cop partners, ever, replayed on the screen by Chuck and some other guy. See the Sam Elliot look-alike do a bad Sam Elliot impersonation! See David Carradine use his Tai Chi to bore you into submission! Best of all, see Chuck get buried alive in his pick-up, wake up, pour a beer over his head, and bust outta there!

Pure joy.

7 out of 10.

This stinker might have worked as a Jackie Chan style action comedy, but played straight it is a total waste of celluloid.

Norris can't act. That's not surprising for an "action star", but he's worse than most. Schwarzenegger in "Conan" was more believable than Norris. He is wooden, monotone, and I couldn't tell which emotions he was trying to display, unless it was "angry loner".

Carradine -- well he's never been able to act and he doesn't even have the excuse of starting out as an athlete.

As is usual for this genre, the plot is absurd and the action ridiculous, but you expect this and are willing to tolerate it in exchange for good performances. Unfortunately, there aren't any good performances of any type in this stinker.

I'm watching this movie right now. My interest is in the location, El Paso, as I am getting ready to move to El Paso in the coming months. I've been to EP and am somewhat familiar with the area. During the first scene with Barbara Carrera, he is at Sunland Park race track, located on the NM border. When he gets the call about his daughter, the scene is at night and Chuck is speeding off on I-10. However, he is speeding off on I-10 westbound. This is obvious because downtown El Paso can be scene in the background, and it is located on the south side of the interstate. My point is, if he was at Sunland Park racetrack, he couldn't be headed west past downtown as he is already on the western most part of El Paso and downtown is east of the racetrack. The hospital he went to was probably located in the vicinity of UTEP, therefore, he would have to travel east to get to the hospital never passing downtown as downtown is west of both the hospital and racetrack. Just an observation.

Knowing that Lone Wolf McQuade casts Chuck Norris as a Texas Ranger, one might be inclined to think that this was a preview of his later Walker, Texas Ranger series. But one would be sadly mistaken.

McQuade is far from the straight arrow that Cordell Walker was on television. He's just not a people person which is why he likes to work without a partner. When one is forced on him in the person of Robert Beltran, he greets him with a weapon when Beltran goes to his house to wake him up for what the day might bring them. Eventually the two do form some mutual respect.

What Norris is after is some bad guys who come from both sides of the border in the business of smuggling arms. On this side of the border the bad guys are led by David Carradine who is a karate master himself. He's toting as a trophy the wife of his former partner who is played by Barbara Carrera. She takes one look at Chuck though and reassesses where her loyalties lie.

When Chuck gets a little too close to Carradine's operation, he gets rather personal with Norris. He kills L.Q.Jones a former ranger and friend of Norris's, kills Norris's dog, and kidnaps his daughter. That makes what Chuck has to do rather clear and he does it in the usual Chuck Norris fashion.

On Walker, Texas Ranger usually Chuck Norris did not work up much of a sweat against most opponents. It's a lot different here, he and Carradine on the screen are equally matched in their final confrontation.

Fans of Chuck Norris should be well satisfied with Lone Wolf McQuade