Often referred to as Chuck Norris VS Michael Myers, I mean with an elevator pitch like that who can resist?

‘Silent Rage’ (1982) is a some what forgotten genre bending mash of action and horror, but it has to be said that it was a pivotal moment in the action star’s career. As one of the first films produced by his own production company TOPKICK Productions, Silent Rage gave Norris his first chance to expand his on-screen persona, which at that time, coming of the back of films like The Octagon and An Eye For An Eye, he was known as the Ninja fighting Karate hero of low budget action flicks. In ‘Silent Rage’ he blends the martial arts action fans had come to love with elements of the slasher genre that dominated the early ’80s.

The result is a unique fusion of action and horror, creating a film that stands out not only in Norris’s filmography but also within its era. The only other movie I can think of that comes close would be Robert Clouse’s ‘GymKata’ (1985) which was a mix of gymnastics, Karate and horror from the director of ‘Enter The Dragon’ starring Olympic champion Kurt Thomas and B-Movie favourite Richard Norton, facing a bloodthirsty game of death, a must watch for any 80’s action fans. Silent Rage feels like it is trying to be much more than just a Chuck Norris action vehicle, it’s an experiment, early in his career that was a bold move to try and reach a wider audience. For me, the elements of action and horror don’t always mix well, there are some biker bad guys that feel shoe horned into the first half of the film that are only there for the chance for Norris to show of his stunning skills as a fighter. And this tough guy stands alone against a crew of bad guys action trope feels out of place in a slasher horror, because we know early on the film that Norris’s skills will help him beat the bad guy as nothing can stop him in his fight against evil. Norris steps into the role of Sheriff Dan Stevens, donning the cowboy hat that would become iconic in his later roles like Walker, Texas Ranger for the first time.

In Silent Rage, we see the early seeds of his tough but fair lawman character, which would resonate with audiences for decades to come and propel Norris to legendary status in the 1990’s with the incredible success of Walker, Texas Ranger. If for nothing else, if you’re a Chuck Norris fan as I am, Silent rage is worth a watch for this fact alone, as it was the very beginning of Norris’s cowboy hero style. What makes Silent Rage even more memorable is its great cast of up and coming actors who make the somewhat predictable slasher elements tense and nail biting because we have come to care for the characters. The film features a breakout performance by Ron Silver, years before he became a household name, and Brian Libby as the terrifying, science-created monster. Libby’s portrayal adds a menacing presence to the film, perfectly complementing the eerie slasher atmosphere, while Silver’s intensity as the conflicted doctor adds a dramatic depth often missing from standard action and slasher movies of the time. There is also a compelling scene with actor Stephen Furst who would later find fame in TV’s Babylon 5, as the comedy relief sidekick to Norris’s Sheriff, which is a turning point in the film that makes the last 30 minutes kick into slasher overdrive, which is by far the best part of the movie. If Silent Rage had been a straight forward slasher film, I think it would be much more fondly remembered by horror fans today, it has all the great horror elements such as a fierce, emotionless and unstoppable killer, moody atmospheric cinematography and a haunting 80’s synth score. But when it comes to the action elements and comedy moments in the film it becomes a very generic action flick and feels like waiting game for the film to get back to its stand out slasher moments.

Silent Rage might not be Chuck Norris’s most famous film, but it’s a nostalgic gem for fans of both action and horror. It showcases Norris’s range as both an actor and a producer willing to take risks and explore new cinematic territory. For fans of genre mash-ups, it’s a movie that holds up as a fascinating time capsule of early ’80s cinema. After all who doesn’t want to see Chuck Norris VS Michael Myers I know I do!