Stream The Best Worst Chuck Norris Movie Right Now Without Netflix
In the years before he settled into his role as Walker, Texas Ranger, action star Chuck Norris gave martial arts fans dozens of B-grade films that had him kicking and punching everyone from cocaine dealers to foreign spies to brutal prison camp leaders. While his range of acting ability was as limited as the speed in a school zone, Norris generated quite the fan base and has several films under his black belt that qualify for cult status. The absolute greatest of these movies is a real gem from 1983, as Norris plays a Texas Ranger in Lone Wolf McQuade.
Lone Wolf McQuade
Lone Wolf McQuade sees Chuck Norris cast as Ranger J. J. McQuade, a rogue lawman who earned the “lone wolf” nickname from his superiors due to his years of breaking the conventional regulations and busting up bad guys in his own way.
But after a bust where McQuade guns down a group of Mexican horse thieves (saving the lives of several outgunned Rangers in the process), his superior officer decides to put the rogue officer on a shorter leash.
Captain Tyler (R. G. Armstrong) assigns McQuade a partner, Deputy Arcadio Ramos (Robert Beltran). The film shows Ramos trying to warm up to McQuade, but does little to build rapport.
A Threatened Romance
Lone Wolf McQuade introduces its protagonist to his love interest, Lola Richardson (Barbara Carrera), after the woman saves McQuade’s daughter from a spooked horse. The divorced Ranger and the mysterious woman quickly develop a romantic relationship, but it’s not long before Lola’s partner (and former lover) Rawley Wilkes (David Carradine) becomes a fly in the ointment.
McQuade Fights Back
Wilkes is an arms dealer and soon sees McQuade as an impediment to his illegal business. Lone Wolf McQuade sees the Ranger’s daughter kidnapped, his old friend and former colleague murdered, and himself beaten and left for dead.
But McQuade rises from defeat like a phoenix from the ashes and assembles a crew to make the dangerous journey across the border for a final showdown with Wilkes and his henchmen in an effort to save his daughter’s life.
Gloriously Bad
Is Lone Wolf McQuade made up entirely of exhausting action film tropes? Yes. Is the acting low level? Absolutely. Are there more bullets flying and punches thrown than dialogue? 100 percent.
These attributes combine to make for one of the best worst action movies of the 1980s, giving Chuck Norris a badge of honor that shines as bright as the one worn by his character in the film.
The fight scenes are epic, surpassing the quality of previous Norris endeavors. Not to mention how incredible it is seeing Norris square off with Carradine in the movie’s final moments, having the martial arts star fight to the death with the man who played Kung Fu on television.
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Lone Wolf McQuade gives audiences with sharper eyes a few players to watch for. William Sanderson, who played Larry on 80s sitcom Newhart plays a great dirtbag character, while western star L.Q. Jones plays a confederate of McQuade’s. You can also catch Kane Hodder in a bit part, several years before he put on a hockey mask for his Jason Vorhees character.
As a bonus, Star Trek: Voyager character Robert Beltran co-stars as McQuade’s new partner.
You can stream Lone Wolf McQuade for free with Tubi.
