The Challenge (1970): Cast & Plot
The Challenge is a 1970 war drama directed by George McCowan, starring Broderick Crawford as Gen. Lewis Meyers, Darren McGavin and Byron Morrow. It runs 1 hour 14 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 14m (74 min)
- Director
- George McCowan
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox Television
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Challenge About?
The premise of The Challenge without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When a full‑scale conflict between the United States and an unnamed Asian nation threatens to erupt, both governments agree to a desperate compromise: each selects a single soldier to act as its champion. The two combatants are taken to a remote island, where they must fight each other to the death, with the victor determining the fate of their respective countries.
The Challenge Themes & Keywords
· 28 tags- double cross
- thompson gun
- vietnam war veteran
- island
- jungle
- satellite
- soldier
- fight to the death
- cheating
- no man's land
- no winner
- failed mission
+16 more Show fewer
- mortal wound
- cynicism
- duel
- politician
- survival
- general
- u.s. soldier
- communist
- surrogate
- world war three
- mercenary
- military
- armed conflict
- combat
- battle
- world domination
The Challenge Cast & Characters
Broderick Crawford leads the cast as Gen. Lewis Meyers, with Darren McGavin as Jacob Gallery and Byron Morrow as Defense Secretary. Directed by George McCowan; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director George McCowan
-
Broderick Crawford as Gen. Lewis Meyers - Darren McGavin as Jacob Gallery
- Byron Morrow as Defense Secretary
-
MAKO as Yuro
Also Starring in The Challenge
· 16 more- Sam Elliott Bryant
- Bill Quinn Marine Colonel
- Paul Lukas Dr. Nagy
- James Whitmore Overman
- Gene LeBell Karate Instructor
- Skip Homeier Lyman George
- Bill Zuckert Army Colonel
- Davis Roberts Scientist
- Lew Brown Sergeant
- Joseph Bernard Doctor
- Garry Walberg Submarine Captain
- Adolph Caesar Clarence Opano
- Andre Philippe Swiss Official
- Arianne Ulmer Sarah
- Michael Hinn Army Captain
- Eddie Guardino Soldier
More from George McCowan
More films directed by George McCowan, best-rated first: Frogs, The Shape of Things to Come, Return to Fantasy Island and Shadow of the Hawk.
The Challenge Plot Summary
What happens in The Challenge from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
An American orbital weapons platform crashes in a remote stretch of the Pacific, triggering a tense political chess game. The island nation involved is quick to act, but U.S. naval forces seal off any escape, knowing the fallen device could allow any country to threaten the United States from space. Because the island’s ally is China, neither side wants a full‑scale war or to lose face, so they settle on a carefully managed surrogate conflict: a single representative from each country will clash on a small tropical island chosen for the showdown. General Lewis Meyers [Broderick Crawford] opposes the plan, convinced that American firepower alone can decide the outcome if given the chance.
Full summary
The whole story of The Challenge, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Challenge?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which U.S. general opposes the surrogate island conflict and believes American firepower alone can win?
The Challenge Also Known As
Also known as “特别任务”.
- Also known as
-
- 特别任务
Seen The Challenge?
Movies Like The Challenge
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Challenge, The Challenge and Challenge of the Tiger.
The Challenge FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Challenge, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Challenge?
The Challenge runs 1 hour 14 minutes (74 minutes).
When was The Challenge released?
The Challenge was released on February 10, 1970.
Who directed The Challenge?
The Challenge was directed by George McCowan.
More films by George McCowan Who is in the cast of The Challenge?
The Challenge stars Broderick Crawford as Gen. Lewis Meyers, Darren McGavin as Jacob Gallery and Byron Morrow as Defense Secretary, among 20 credited actors.
Does The Challenge have a post-credit scene?
No. The Challenge has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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