When Don “The Dragon” Wilson was a kid, the government stuck him in a lab and experimented on his brain. Now a federal agent, he uses psychic powers to hunt down criminals. The persons of interest on his latest assignment seem to have similar powers of ESP. When they all wind up dead under mysterious circumstances, Don begins to suspect someone is trying to cover up the top-secret project… and that he might be the next victim.
Directed by Fred Olen Ray and produced by Roger Corman, The Capitol Conspiracy delivers just about what you would expect from a Don “The Dragon” Wilson movie directed by Fred Olen Ray and produced by Roger Corman. There are plenty of fight scenes, gratuitous nudity, and well… that’s about it. Then again, that’s about all you need.
Since this is a Ray picture, it’s fun seeing his usual cast of cohorts popping up here and there. Richard Gabai turns up as a Fed, Robert Quarry is a senior agent, and best of all, Wendy Schumaker (using the name Alexander Keith) is Wilson’s busty partner. We also get Jim Wynorski favorite, Arthur Roberts as one of Wilson’s superiors, Skinamax legend Paul Michael Robinson as an assassin, and none other than Barbara freakin’ Steele as Wilson’s boss. Say what you will about the film’s shortcomings, but I say anytime you get to see Barbara Steele barking orders at Don “The Dragon” Wilson, it can’t be all bad.
The surprisingly sturdy script keeps finding ways for Wilson to kickbox his way out of one predicament or the other, which helps keep things moving at a steady clip. (Drunken wrestlers sexually harassing stewardesses on a plane, surly bikers in a bar finding out he’s a cop, etc.) I also liked the fact that Wilson’s psychic tendencies help him out of a couple of jams, like when he is able to jump over (and under) a speeding car during a big chase scene.
Ray (who also turns up in a cameo as a gunman) brings his usual proficiency to the Skinamax-style sex and nude scenes, which further help to liven up the proceedings. The only real debit is the constant use of black and white flashbacks to Wilson being experimented on as a kid. They’re mostly only there to pad out the running time, but they aren’t too intrusive overall. Too bad the ending just sort of fizzles out.
Wilson is his usual charismatic self, but it’s Wendy Schumacher who steals the movie. She looks great and is equally impressive while toting a gun as she is participating in nude scenes. This was her last major role and it’s a shame she didn’t stick around in the business because she was always a welcome presence in these kinds of films.
AKA: Prophet. AKA: Fist of Doom.
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