The 1988 film Operation Paratrooper is about a twisted sergeant (Joe Dallesandro) named Vince Rayner who provokes an airborne corporal (Martin Hewitt) named Phil Cooper whom he has taught how to kill.
Rayner is a veteran of the Vietnam War who is haunted by his past. He is a skilled fighter and a ruthless killer, and he takes pleasure in tormenting and abusing his troops.
Cooper is a new recruit who is eager to learn from Rayner. He is a gifted fighter, but he is also naive and idealistic. He believes in the honor and duty of the military, and he is appalled by Rayner's brutality.
Rayner begins to target Cooper, pushing him to his limits and trying to break his spirit. Cooper eventually snaps and attacks Rayner, leading to a violent showdown between the two men.
The film is a dark and disturbing exploration of the psychological effects of war. It is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and the corrupting influence of violence.
The film was directed by Frank De Palma and written by Björn Carlström, Terry Borst, and Jan Guillou. It also stars Kimberly Beck and George Shannon.
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Cast
- Joe Dallesandro as Vince Rayner
- Martin Hewitt as Phil Cooper
- Kimberly Beck as Karen Cooper
- George Shannon as Colonel Cooper
- Ron O'Neill as Sergeant Ross
- Richard Lynch as Captain Miller
- John P. Ryan as Sergeant Johnson
- Paul Ganus as Private Stone
- Steve James as Private Williams
- Ken Foree as Private Jackson
- Billy Blanks as Private Jones
- Vernon Wells as Private Smith
- Cynthia Rothrock as Private Davis
Director: Frank De Palma
Writers: Björn Carlström, Terry Borst, and Jan Guillou
Genre: War Drama
Release Date: November 1988