Das fliegende Auge

Long forgotten and short running TV-series is based on John Badham's 'Blue Thunder' starring Roy Scheider. The title is the only thing common between film and TV-series. The series didn't take over where film ended, but it rather created alternate universe or storyline how the Blue Thunder helicopter will serve in the forces. Characters are different - super cool Murphy has been replaced by Chaney (James Farentino), who still has enough charm and coolness in him to carry the show. Also, compared to the film, the show is much more lighthearted - besides Chaney and captain Braddock, all the other characters are there for comic relief. Show also lost all the seriousness and message of the film, turning 'Blue Thunder' series typical '80s action show.

And a typical action show 'Blue Thunder' is. If you're familiar (and grown up with) shows like 'The A-Team', 'Airwolf', 'Magnum P.I.', or any other that kind, 'Blue Thunder' can offer a nice juicy '80s nostalgia boost. Cheesy stories and ridiculous villains (mostly played by well known character actors from that time). Cheap effects and reused aerial shots from the film.

After seeing only the Pilot episode (''Second Thunder'') and the next proper episode to follow (''A Clear and Present Day''), I have to say this spinoff series inspired by the original 1983 box-office smash hit of the same name, is a worthy and stylish piece of television, fiananced by Rastar Productions and the original film's distributer, Columbia Pictures. Dana Carvey get's on my nerves sometimes with his over-the-top humour (noticably taken from Dwight Schultz's Murdock in 'The A-Team'), but the aerial action sequences are superb. Seeing as only 11 episodes were produced, I would have to say it is miles ahead of the 1985 13-episode 'Streethawk' series, seeing as both were aired on ABC in the Eighties. The new theme music is now one of my favourites, but I still recognise the constant drum beat used also constantly in 'The A-Team'. All in all, I would rate these show 8/10. Although the original aerial police station base wasn't available to the show's production team, the stock footage taken from the original film is well put together and the soundstages are alright, but a bit of a goof, with the slow rotating blades above the actors, plus no backing motion video playing to simulate the actors actually flying in the air, which was seen in 'Airwolf'.

ABC-TV's 1984 version of "BLUE THUNDER" was truly a short-lived effort, but for one interesting little fact- former "BUCK RODGERS IN THE 25th CENTURY" actor Gil Gerard was originally offered the role before James Farentino, but Gerard (who later starred on CBS's short-lived "E. A. R. T. H. FORCE" in Fall 1990) had turned down the role for either personal or political reasons. A late 1983 article in TV Guide confirms this obscure fact!

Blue Thunder was a fun TV series inspired by the 1983 movie of the same title. That movie was an edgy adult thriller with an R rating that was impossible to emulate in a kid friendly 80's made for TV action series. Instead the Blue Thunder TV series was similar to other 80's kid friendly action shows such as the Dukes of Hazzard, the A Team, Knight Rider, and Street Hawk. Each episode featured aerial dogfights, car crashes, fist fights, explosions, shootouts, lots of 80's TV FX, and nasty/hammy bad guys. The brave heroes of the series were played by James Farentino, Bubba Smith, Dick Butkus, and - Dana Carvey! Plus the true star of every episode was the cool Blue Thunder 'copter! How could I not like this show? I'm having a great time watching it on DVD. Blue Thunder the series is an entertaining 80's action show. Good fun!

Was in Grade 9 when this show was on. It's ok but typical tv, did not watch to much, rather watch Air wolf. The part I hate it, and I watched it at my buddies place Tony & Wilfred, and we would all laughf at this, they would shoot the gun out of the hand of bad guy every time, with this super powerfull attack chopper. Dam where thoes guys good. The only other thing I can remember one of the cast made sure they would get cassarole after Bubba and Dick ate it for a week in sum prision. It would have been a better show if they made the guy eat it than the typical ending I mention earlier. One point to be taking this show with a chopper had a bigger set budget, and include the stunt than any of todays on the cheap shows. Friend's , Sienfield what kind of budget is that, 2 room, and now with reality TV shows with no director script, or even professional actor. Boy, TV budgets sure have gone down the toilet no wonder I only watch movies.