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Born American

  • 1986
  • R
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
4.3/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
David Coburn, Steve Durham, and Mike Norris in Born American (1986)
ActionDramaThriller

A trio of vacationing American students cross the border from Finland to the USSR during the Cold War and are soon imprisoned after a skirmish with Soviet soldiers.A trio of vacationing American students cross the border from Finland to the USSR during the Cold War and are soon imprisoned after a skirmish with Soviet soldiers.A trio of vacationing American students cross the border from Finland to the USSR during the Cold War and are soon imprisoned after a skirmish with Soviet soldiers.

  • Director
    • Renny Harlin
  • Writers
    • Renny Harlin
    • Markus Selin
  • Stars
    • Mike Norris
    • Steve Durham
    • David Coburn
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    4.3/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Renny Harlin
    • Writers
      • Renny Harlin
      • Markus Selin
    • Stars
      • Mike Norris
      • Steve Durham
      • David Coburn
    • 24User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
    • 35Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Photos38

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    Top cast23

    Edit
    Mike Norris
    Mike Norris
    • Savoy Brown
    Steve Durham
    Steve Durham
    • Mitch Sheppard
    David Coburn
    David Coburn
    • K.C.
    Thalmus Rasulala
    Thalmus Rasulala
    • The Admiral
    Albert Salmi
    Albert Salmi
    • Drane
    Piita Vuosalmi
    • Nadja Kulakova
    Vesa Vierikko
    Vesa Vierikko
    • Kapsky
    Ismo Kallio
    • Zarkov
    Laura Munsterhjelm
    Laura Munsterhjelm
    • Irina
    • (as Laura Heimo)
    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
    Marjo Vuollo
    • Tamara
    Juhani Tuominen
    • Car Salesman
    Renny Harlin
    Renny Harlin
    • Man's Voice from Ship's Loudspeakers
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Renny Harlin
    • Writers
      • Renny Harlin
      • Markus Selin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As the film was initially banned in Finland for grounds of violence and that it could harm Finland's foreign relations, this meant severe financial hardship to producer Markus Selin as the distribution deals were drawn out so that the Finnish co-producers would get their income only from the Finnish sales.
    • Goofs
      None of the buildings or people in the film have a Russian look, which is natural as it was filmed completely in Finland. The only Soviet things you see (besides a few AK's) are the two cars right in the end: A Lada and a Volga.
    • Quotes

      Interrogator: [while torturing Mitch] We really do have all the time in the world.

    • Alternate versions
      Almost completely non-cut version was released on DVD in Finland 2006.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Dinosaur (2021)

    User reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Bad Movie, Unique Perspective

    This movie is interesting as it is directed by a Finn and is filmed in the Republic of Finland, and most of the extras are Finns. Since there isn't too many Finnish films in English marketed towards an American audience, this film is unique in itself. You can see how the Finns used to view their Russian neighbors and also what an aspiring Finnish director thinks would appeal to American audiences. The film is pretty hit and miss but the human chess scenes are quite entertaining.
    • fugu_286
    • Mar 16, 2002
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1986 (Finland)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Finland
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Arctic Heat
    • Filming locations
      • Helsinki, Finland
    • Production companies
      • Cinema Group Ventures
      • Larmark Productions Inc.
      • Man & Gun Film Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,401,376 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,388,020
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,225,475
      • Sep 1, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,388,020
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    David Coburn, Steve Durham, and Mike Norris in Born American (1986)
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