the movie's audience knows more about terrorism than the terrorists do." Who Dares Wins was panned by some critics as being right-wing. Sight & Sound described the film as "hawkish". Derek Malcolm in The Guardian called the film "truly dreadful". The Washington Post enjoyed the final assault, describing it as "a pip", and praised the authenticity of the action sequences, but thought "an awful lot of talky, slack footage accumulates before this whirlwind payoff" and that the "storytelling rhythm is defective." Within days of the film's release, producer Lloyd received a phone call from Stanley Kubrick praising the film and calling the casting of Judy Davis "inspirational". This claim has been strongly contested by Kubrick's assistant Anthony Frewin, saying that, "Lloyd, as the gunnery [sergeant] in Full Metal Jacket would say, is blowing smoke up our asses. That film is the antithesis of everything Stanley stood for and believed in." Reagan administration Soon after the film was completed, copies of it were requested for viewing by the White House; it was seen by Ronald Reagan and his advisers at Camp David and they reportedly enjoyed the film. It was also enjoyed by Alexander Haig, Reagan's former Secretary of State, who had recently joined the board of MGM/UA. On his recommendation, MGM/UA bought the film for distribution in the US, retitling it The Final Option. In an interview, Haig praised the film as a "terribly exciting drama... a realistic portrayal of the world in which we live." Proposed follow-up Euan Lloyd signed Lewis Collins to a three-picture contract on the basis of his performance. The films were to be The Wild Geese 2, Battle for the Falklands (about the Special Boat Service during the Falklands war) and Macau. Collins ended up not appearing in the first film and the other two were never made. References External links Unofficial Lewis Collins fansite Review of film at Variety 1982 films 1982 action thriller films British action thriller films Films about terrorism Films directed by Ian Sharp Films about hostage takings Films about the Special Air Service Films shot at Pinewood Studios 1980s political thriller films Films with screenplays by Reginald Rose Films scored by Roy Budd 1980s English-language films 1980s British films