Thursday, April 15, 2010

Airwolf Whirls into Action

Airwolf, which aired from 1984-87, was one of my favorite action TV shows. I looked forward to every episode with excitement. It ran for four seasons with 79 episodes. Series creator Donald Bellisario did an episode for Magnum P. I. entitled “The Birds of a Feather” in 1983, hoping the idea would sell as the pilot for Airwolf. It wasn’t picked up by any network, so Bellisario made some revisions and shot another pilot that was broadcast as a two-part Airwolf in January 1984.

The stars of Airwolf were Jan-Michael Vincent, Ernest Borgnine and Alex Cord. Jan-Michael Vincent had been in movies for many years. His wholesome American good looks led to his discovery as an actor. He guest starred in many television episodes and appeared in movies such as The Mechanic (1972) with Charles Bronson, White Line Fever (1975), and the miniseries The Winds of War (1983). His outstanding performance in The Winds of War won him the leading role in Airwolf. Ernest Borgnine’s acting career took off when he portrayed Sgt. “Fatso” Judson in From Here to Eternity (1953), and he is still acting today. Alex Cord guest starred in many television series. However, it was the movie Synanon (1965) in which he played a dope addict that brought him notice. I saw him portray the murderer in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Tell Tale Heart in 1971 with Sam Jaffe as the old man. His performance was excellent and one I will always remember.

Airwolf was the code name of a high-tech military helicopter created for the United States. It was capable of flying half-way around the world and could out run jet planes. It was loaded with a computer system that practically controlled the aircraft. It was designed for three pilots to control it; however, it could be controlled by only two. One pilot would control the aircraft while the other one could see anything on radar, identify approaching aircraft, and initiate an array of various cool weapons. One character described Airwolf as a “mach one class chopper that can kick butt”—which is an accurate description.

The series pilot “Shadow of the Hawke” explains that Airwolf was designed by Dr. Charles Moffet (David Hemmings). While demonstrating the helicopter for the military, he suddenly blows up the entire military installation and steals Airwolf. Moffett decides to use the aircraft for mercenary reasons, but he is a cruel man and doesn’t want money from other governments. Instead his fee for using Airwolf is so he can pick women of his choice to torture and murder.

Alex Cord plays a man who works for an organization called The Firm. His name is Michael Coldsmith Briggs III, but his codename is Archangel (he wears glasses with a patch over the left eye lens, uses a cane, and wears a white suit...symbolizing an angel!). Archangel goes to see Stringfellow Hawke (I just love that name), who flew Airwolf as a test pilot. He wants him to find the helicopter and return it to the government. The problem is that Hawke is a recluse who lives in the mountains in a cabin by a lake with his dog, Tet. He likes living alone and doesn’t want to help Archangel, who shows up at his cabin with a young woman who is an agent. Hawke’s character is fascinating. He parents died in a boating accident on the lake. He inherited the cabin from his grandfather who collected famous paintings as a gift for his grandmother. He even serenades an eagle playing a cello in a chair on his dock.

Stringfellow had a brother named St. John (pronounced “Sinjin”), who flew helicopters in Vietnam with him. Their helicopter was shot down and only String was rescued. St. John has been listed as an MIA for fourteen years. Hawke has lost everyone he loved and is very depressed. He has only one friend, Dominic Santin, played by Ernest Borgnine who runs a helicopter stunt service for movies. Hawke is his main stunt pilot. Dominic raised Stringfellow and St. John after their parents died. Hawke finally agrees to go on the mission to retrieve the helicopter from Dr. Moffet and return it to the United States military. Archangel offers him a million dollars, but Hawke is not interested in the money. He wants the government to find his MIA brother. Archangel agrees to Hawke’s demands.

Naturally, Hawke falls in love with the female agent Archangel has brought with him. When she gets into trouble, Hawke steals Airwolf and goes after her. In the end of the pilot, Hawke decides to keep Airwolf to blackmail the government into helping him find his brother. He hides the helicopter in the desert in a unique place. Archangel recruits Hawke into helping The Firm on secret missions. Archangel does not want any government to know about Airwolf nor is Hawke to be associated with the government in any way. Hawke agrees to do so. Every week, he goes on a mission to other counties to help the organization keep America safe.

The first season of Airwolf is rather dark because Hawke is a man who prefers his peace in his cabin. During the second season, the show was changed to lighten the stories to make it more family-oriented. Jean Bruce Scott was added to the series as Caitlin O’Shannessy, a pilot in Santini’s helicopter business. She was on the show for two years. The fourth season was terrible because the entire cast was completely written out of the show. Hawke quits, Dominic is killed, Archangel is reassigned, and Caitlin is just gone. Hawke’s brother (Barry Van Dyke), who turns out to be alive and has been secretly working for the government, becomes the leading character. The fourth season was the last one. I watched three episodes and decided I didn’t like it.

I loved the first three seasons Airwolf. The series featured excellent action scenes and Vincent’s interesting character always made it entertaining. Jan-Michael Vincent has always been one of my favorite actors. His life has been a hard one. He was in a car accident, which permanently damaged his voice, and also has battled alcoholism. He is doing better now and has retired from acting.

The helicopter used as Airwolf was sold after the show. It was used as an ambulance helicopter in Germany. During a thunderstorm in 1992, it crashed and, sadly, all three crew members were killed.

11 comments:

  1. Aki, I vaguely remember this show. What I remember most is the cool theme song. Interesting pick.

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  2. What a fun review, Aki! I didn't watch AIRWOLF during its original run, but knew several loyal AIRWOLF fans who never missed an episode (well, except for season 4 for the reasons you explained). I always thought Jan-Michael Vincent was quite likable. In addition to the movies you named (love the end of THE MECHANIC), he was excellent as a hippy drafted as a Marine during the Vietnam War in the TV-movie TRIBES. I liked Alex Cord, too, and remember him best in the John Wayne role in the remake of STAGECOACH. That was very sad to read about the fatal crash involving the helicopter used in the series. Thanks for bringing some attention to the kind of action TV series that's pretty rare these days. Oh, and like Kim, I thought the theme sound was cool. I'm heading over to Hulu to watch an episode.

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  3. Splendid write-up, Aki! I didn't watch AIRWOLF during its initial broadcast, but you make me want to add some episodes to my hulu queue. I do recall the show, though. And like Kim, I can remember the theme, which was great, and for some reason, I've always remembered how the title looked (like in the first pic of your post). I liked Jan-Michael Vincent in THE MECHANIC with Charlie (and like Rick said, the ending is memorable). Thanks for an informative and very fun read, Aki.

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  4. This was a great 80's action TV series. Ernest Borgnine and Jan-Michael Vincent seemed to be having fun working together and it showed in the program. I also agree that the theme song is memorable and one that stays in your head for awhile. Great review.

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  5. Aki, I didn't watch this series but did enjoy your write-up. Well done!

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  6. Loved seeing this review! "Airwolf" was THE best action show on TV in the 80s. Everyone goes on and on about "The A Team", but it wasn't nearly as good. Jan-Michael was good, but Alex Cord was awesome. Glad to see the official web site listed, because it is way cool.

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  7. I thank all of your for your kind comments on one of my all time favorite TV shows. I have been watching the episodes on hulu so I can see Jan-Michael Vincent too. He was a handsome man and I wish him much happiness. I have always liked Alex Cord. I recently read an article about Ernest Borgnine who is 93 years old and says he still enjoys acting. I have seen The Mechanic and agree with Rick and Sark about the ending. It is well worth watching and Bronson and Vincent are great together. Sylvester Levay who wrote the theme music to Airwolf just released his original version in March 2010 on iTunes if anyone is interested. I bought it and it is awesome.

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  8. Aki, Jan-Michael Vincent, is one of my husbands favorite actors. I really enjoyed reading your Awesome review!!

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  9. Thanks for your kind words, Dawn. Tell your husband I said he has great taste in actors!!!

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  10. Aki, I really liked the first two seasons of Airwolf. BTW, just for fun did you know that Jan- Michael was on the old Banana Splits show for seven episodes as Link Simmons, and Richard Donner directed 5 episodes? Some of my favorites are 1975's White Line Fever ,Big Wednesday and as Robert Mitchem's son in the Mini Series The Winds Of War.

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  11. No, Paul I didn't know about the old Banana Splits show. That is interesting. I like White Line Fever too I watched The Mechanic with Charles Bronson and Jan-Michael Vincent last night. That movie has an surprise ending. You are right about The Winds of War. Vincent was outstanding in it. Many critics believe it was his finest performance. I agree with that.

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