Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathryn Harrold, Sam Wanamaker, Paul Shenar, Robert Davi and Darren McGavin star in this 1986 action film. Schwarzenegger (The Terminator, Commando) plays ex-FBI agent turned small-town sheriff, Kaminsky who helps his colleague, Harry (McGavin) get revenge for his son's murder. The late, Wanamaker (Superman IV, Baby Boom) plays Chicago mobster, Patrovita who is the man behind the murder. Kaminsky infiltrates him and his gang by masquerading as a wealthy businessman. Harrold plays Monique, a woman who Kaminsky befriends, The late, Shenar (Scarface) plays Patrovita's associate, Rocca, and Davi (The Goonies, Die Hard) plays Patrovita's right-hand thug, Max. This isn't a bad 80's action flick and Schwarzenegger is great as usual. I recommend this.

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, we never missed an Arnold premiere after Terminator in 1984. His ouvre runs the gamut from good (Predator) to great (T2) to bad (Commando, although I know this cartoon has its admirers) to good silly fun (Running Man). But Raw Deal was one that fell through the cracks over the past thirty years -- I saw it in the theater and then never again, until Starz Action ran it a few months ago. To my surprise, I found myself really enjoying this film. Arnold's acting is horrocious, granted. But as others have mentioned, the rest of the cast is a fabulous tour through 70s/80s tough-guy action heaven. Besides the obvious stars (McGavin, Wanamaker, Davi, Shenar), the backups/extras in Raw Deal read like an anonymous thugazoid 80s highlight reel. There's Sven from Running Man, plus several others from Die Hard and even Action Jackson.One other thing -- I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kathryn Harrold in this film. Just watching her is a pleasure. What I wouldn't give for a time machine, so I could go back and run my hands through that wild 80s hairdo! Kathryn, I know you're in your 60s by now. But if you're reading this, rest assured that I'm still a fan.

Arnold Schwarzenegger "classic" actioner full of unintentional comedy. Arnold plays a small town sheriff who used to be an FBI agent. He was kicked out of the FBI because he roughed up a suspect ("He molested, murdered and mutilated her!"). But now Arnold has a chance to get back in if he goes undercover inside a mobster's gang. So naturally he agrees, fakes his death, and doesn't tell his wife a thing! Laughable to the extreme, this movie would have killed a lesser mortal's career. But not Ah-nold. Riding high after the Conan films, Terminator, and Commando, I suppose he was allowed one stinker. He would follow this with Predator and Running Man to prove to the world he was still the action champ. Honestly, it's not a great movie. Even for a dumb action movie, it's especially stupid. But it does have a lot of funny moments; most of which are unintended. If you are an Arnold fan or a fan of '80s action movies, regardless of quality, definitely give it a shot.

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a former FBI agent(who had been fired under dubious circumstances) now small-town sheriff who is contacted by his former FBI boss Harry Shannon(played by "Kolchack: The Night Stalker" veteran Darren McGavin) to help him take down a Chicago mob family, who are responsible for the recent death of his son. Arnold agrees, but this requires him to go undercover in the family, to confirm their responsibility, and gather evidence.A bit better than "Commando", which this film resembles, though it is still very familiar, unconvincing stuff. McGavin in particular is wasted, though he does enliven the scenes he is in. Has a funny action climax involving the song "Satisfaction", but otherwise, strictly routine.