Remo Williams: The Prophecy

I've never seen this. TO the best of my knowledge, it never actually got shown, and I've never been able to track down anyone who has seen it, let alone anyone who might have a copy.

Why would this be? I can tell you. I was in high school, and had read many of the Destroyer books, and seen the Remo Williams movie (incidentally, the other review in here is about THAT version, not this one, since I'm pretty sure Wilfrid Brimley was not in both), which was fun, so I was DYING to see what they'd done with this semi-pilot for a TV series.

I was poised with my finger on the button to tape the show and WHAM BANG PRESTO - it was pre-empted for a Ronald Reagan speech.

And never shown.

And I'm STILL WAITING!!!!

The TVM must have been shown somewhere in the US, as I have seen a very poor quality video which came from there - I don't think it's ever been shown in the UK.

The TVM picks up where the movie left off, with McDowall very obviously enjoying himself as the Korean martial arts guru. There is obvious chemistry with Meek, who has sufficient martial arts training to carry the role (I read somewhere it was McDowall who requested he be given the part). Briefly, Chen is about to return to Korea when he realizes Remo fulfills the requirements of a prophecy. His efforts to toughen his difficult pupil, however, nearly lead to disaster.

The finished effort cannot be mistaken for anything but a TVM, although it entertains.

i have seen this pilot and have a poor copy videotaped off the t.v.i am hoping it will eventually be released, as i would like to own a better copy for my martial arts library i think Roddy Mcdowell did a good job as Chiun i believe Dick Clark had something to do with the project.Jeffrey Meek, who played Remo, went on to star in raven another martial arts t.v. show. i think the t.v. version was better than the theatrical one Meek did a better job than Ward as Remo.i think the biggest problem with both versions is that they didn't bother to include Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir, their advice would have improved the quality of either project, but then again that would have made sense and Hollywood usually can't figure that out. thanks

The rating I give, is mainly out of the pleasure I feel, that Chiun finally got his dream. Not only did he make it to Hollywood, but he's a star, as well!! I'm a huge Remo fan, and while I'm happy that there was a movie release, and a series planned & pilot aired, I have to agree with most other comments. I would put a lot of blame on Dick Clark, who was involved with both projects, as producer. Both needed more story-line, to establish who Remo truly is! I don't recall much of the TV pilot, except to say I was very disappointed with the whole plot and story. Can't blame actors, when they're not given much to work with, or given better direction. If I recall, Roddy was wanted for the movie role of Chiun, as well. But, for some reason, he wasn't able to do it, so they had to get Joel (who did a very nice job!!). Hopefully, the new film in the works will stay true to the books, and they'll devote more to the story and plot.

The only reason I gave it a rating of 7, and not the 4 I wanted to, was Roddy Macdowell's portrayal of Chiun. I found the head-wrap annoying, but he does not sport Chiun's wispy quaff. If you're a fan of the movie or book series, you really need to see the pilot.

It's based on the Novella "The Day Remo Died." This short story was part of "The Assassin's Handbook," later reissued as "Inside Sinanju." Warren Murphy recently reissued a new version of "The Assassin's Handbook" and "The Assassin's Handbook II." Both are available at warrenmurphy.com.

I managed to procure a copy of the TV pilot through the generosity of the DestroyerClub.com website (the official site.) They produced a FREE DVD that is yours for the asking. All I had to do was send them a mailing label and a few stamps, and my free DVD arrived. What was cool was the extras – the TV promo spot and movie bloopers! I have also seen very poor quality bootlegs for sale on eBay (don't but this trash!)