Lone Wolf McQuade is a 1983 action film directed by Steve Carver and starring Chuck Norris in the lead role of Texas Ranger J.J. McQuade. The film opens with McQuade and his partner, Kayo Ramos (Robert Beltran) intercepting a weapons smuggling operation, but the mission goes awry when Ramos is shot and left paralyzed. Blaming himself for his partner's condition, McQuade becomes a lone wolf, shunning his fellow rangers and going after criminals on his own terms.
At the same time, a drug kingpin named Rawley Wilkes (David Carradine) is on the rise, with an army of well-armed henchmen at his beck and call. When Wilkes and McQuade cross paths, it is a clash of two stubborn and skilled warriors, with McQuade's unorthodox fighting style pitted against Wilkes' more measured approach. Adding to the tension is the fact that both men are smitten with Lola Richardson (Barbara Carrera), a beautiful woman who runs a local bar and happens to be Wilkes' lover as well.
As the violence escalates, McQuade seeks out the help of an old friend, Dakota (L.Q. Jones), a retired ranger who serves as a sort of mentor to him. Together, they plan a raid on Wilkes' compound, leading to a final showdown in which McQuade faces off against Wilkes in a martial arts battle for the ages. In the end, justice is served, but at a heavy cost to all involved.
Lone Wolf McQuade stands out as one of Chuck Norris' most beloved movies, thanks to its gritty action scenes, memorable characters, and iconic showdown between Norris and Carradine. With its unique blend of western and martial arts tropes, the film has become a cult classic, and remains a must-see for action fans everywhere.