L'uomo da sei milioni di dollari: vino, donne e guerra

Wine,Women & War was a departure from Martin Caidins novel Cyborg that the series was based on. It was a joy to watch when I was a boy of fourteen & had the feel of a bond film which included bondish music written by Glen Larson, who also wrote the TV movie.

It was two hours of escapist fun which was not as gritty as Martin Caidins novel Cyborg, but did make you think it would be possible for a former astronaut who had walked on the moon could be a natural as a super powered operative for a government agency like the OSI (CIA like agecy) & even though it had some technical weakness it was a great movie in my humble opinion.

Russ Mayberry directed this second TV movie pilot to the eventual series that sees Lee Majors returning as (now) Col. Steve Austin, continuing his secret government missions overseen by Oscar Goldman(played by Richard Anderson) taking over(no explanation) from Oliver Spencer, though Dr. Rudy Wells is now played by Alan Oppenheimer(a decent replacement for Martin Balsam). Eric Braeden plays a nefarious villain dealing in stolen nuclear missiles that Steve Austin must stop, and also avenge the death of a lady friend at his hands. Earl Holliman and Britt Ekland costar. OK as escapist fare, though a comedown from the first film.

"The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women and War" is the second pilot movie for the upcoming series. This is because the first made for TV movie turned out to be a hit and ABC decided to try another film to see if fans still were interested. Well, opinions must have been a bit mixed, as ABC made yet one more movie before ultimately green lighting the series.

The film begins with Steve (Lee Majors) on a secret mission in Egypt. However, it turns out to be a bust due to bad intelligence information and Steve barely gets out alive. A lady who helped him isn't so lucky. As a result, Steve is bummed and not exactly in the mood for another mission. However, an old Air Force buddy (Earl Holliman) offers to left him use his luxury vacation villa in the Bahamas and Steve disappears from the OSI compound to enjoy some much needed R&R. Little does he know that all this has been arranged and he's actually going on his next mission!

This second pilot has a few changes. In addition to Austin now being an Air Force colonel, the man playing Rudy Wells is a different actor AND the scumbag playing Austin's boss is not only a different actor but a different character entirely. I miss the original boss, as Darren McGavin was truly amoral and a jerk--Oscar Goldman (Richard Anderson) was much more genial. Apart from these changes and a funky intro song, the movie is pretty much what folks would soon see in the TV series...which is very good, though I liked the first pilot better partly because of McGavin's character and partly because it was less an action film and more about science and how the man was created. Still worth seeing.

By the way, the villain in this one is much like a Bond Villain and even has a secret lair in the Bahamas...much like Largo from "Thunderball"...and ALSO a guy with stolen nuclear bombs.

I have never seen The Six Million Dollar Man so am starting from the very beginning: the two introductory pilot movies. They each have a slightly different feel, with this one definitely being the more playful and lighthearted.

Steve Austin's cyborg powers are on display throughout the movie, and the audience is treated to cool abilities like night vision, fast swimming/running, etc. This is provided as expected, but what caught my attention and allowed for some cheese filled chuckles was the funny attempts at double entendre. It feels forced, as if the screenwriters had to seduce the audience and lure them into the chambers of the mind. It felt like a pounding instead as they were usually in inappropriate - plot wise - situations and we are left waiting for the rim shot from the band.

Fun effort all around, makes me excited for the show, I hope future episodes can rise to the occasion!

Rating: 20/40

I saw this first run on tv in 1973 and I believe it was the second 90 min "pilot" episode to the six million dollar man series. I was a 1st grader at the time but I remember the action well. It was pretty James Bondish( even has bond girl Britt Eklund in it) It is the first time I remember seeing ole Six mil in action. Points that impressed me at age 7: there is the scene where Steve Austin breaks through stone wall. Very cool. Also there are some sinister looking black and white painted rockets/nuke weapons that moved around on wheels. Oh then there is Steve's super swim from the submarine. After seeing this I was hooked on the Six million dollar man show that followed. I would love to see this film again and if I ever do, hopefully I'll find it as much fun now as then.