Missing in Action and its prequel, Missing in Action 2: The Beginning , were filmed back-to-back. Originally, the producers intended to release the prequel first, but after seeing the footage, they decided the second film was more commercially viable and released it as the first installment.
Released on November 16, 1984, is a quintessential 1980s action film that helped cement Chuck Norris as a premier international action star. Directed by Joseph Zito , this Cannon Films production tapped into the era's fascination with the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue, delivering a high-octane rescue fantasy that resonated with audiences despite lukewarm critical reception. The Plot: Braddock’s Return
One Man Against an Army: A Look Back at Missing in Action (1984) Missing in Action 1984.avi
Despite being criticized by reviewers as "xenophobic" and "amateurish," the film was a massive commercial success, grossing over on a budget of roughly $2–$4 million. It spawned two follow-up films:
: A prequel detailing Braddock's years in the POW camp. Missing in Action and its prequel, Missing in
When official diplomatic efforts are stymied by Vietnamese treachery and denials, Braddock takes matters into his own hands. He travels to Thailand to recruit an old Army friend turned black-market kingpin, (played by M. Emmet Walsh ), and launches a daring, unofficial mission into the jungle to liberate the prisoners and bring them home. Production and Development
The film's concept was inspired by an early 1983 treatment for Rambo: First Blood Part II written by James Cameron that was circulating in Hollywood. Cannon Films rushed Missing in Action into production to release it before the Rambo sequel hit theaters. Directed by Joseph Zito , this Cannon Films
The story follows , a former Vietnam War prisoner of war who escaped a brutal camp ten years prior. Haunted by his experiences, Braddock joins a U.S. government investigation team traveling to Ho Chi Minh City to probe reports of American soldiers still held captive.