'' The Delta Force '' is a 1986 American action film starring Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin ( in his final film appearance ) as leaders of an elite squad of Special Forces troops based on the real life U.S. Army Delta Force unit . Directed , co-written and co-produced by Menahem Golan , the film features Martin Balsam , Joey Bishop , Robert Vaughn , Steve James , Robert Forster , Shelley Winters , George Kennedy , and an uncredited Liam Neeson in an early role . Two sequels were produced , entitled '' Delta Force 2 : The Colombian Connection '' and the direct-to-video '' Delta Force 3 : The Killing Game '' . '' The Delta Force '' was " inspired " by the hijacking of TWA Flight 847
TWA Flight 847
TWA Flight 847
The Delta Force