Birds Of Prey (1973)
Picture: C+
Sound: C Extras: C Telefilm: B-
David Jansen is a helicopter pilot who fought in World War
II and gets to test his skills when he witnesses a bank robbery and
kidnapping. He follows the kidnappers
in his helicopter, all the way to their own escape helicopter and the chase
beings in William A Graham’s Birds Of Prey. This amusing 1973 TV movie also stars Ralph Meeker as his old
flying buddy who now works for the police, which comes in handy when the crime
takes place. For most of the film, it
is Jansen vs. the hippie crooks, who kidnap a young and innocent woman. For a low budget telefilm, this has better
pacing and a more serious atmosphere than many overblown mega-budget
pseudo-epics we keep having thrown at us.
Jansen was just about to sign up for Harry O and
this could not have hurt. The stunt
work is fine and you know if its this old, nothing it digital. Also, no models or remote control copters
were used. This is a raw urban police
drama with non-cop Jansen risking his life.
Meeker is left at his headquarters and the “advanced technology” of his
computers, which is among the unintended pleasures and laughs this flick
offers. For a good time, catch Birds
Of Prey.
The 1.33 X 1 image may have detail limits, problems with
its minority of darker scenes and reddish skin tones, but the color is
surprisingly consistent, enough so that it saves the transfer from being worse
than it would have otherwise been. One
thing that no doubt helped the film was the camerawork of the late
cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth, who later went on to shoot Phil Joanou’s State
Of Grace (1990, reviewed elsewhere on this site) and is best known for his
all-time classic work on Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1982). He was that good then too, even if the
material was not as rich. The Dolby
Digital 2.0 Mono does not fare as well; showing its age, not from a
soundmaster, but whatever print was used.
The combination still makes for fun viewing, while three trailers for
other VCI action titles and bios of the male leads are the only extras.
- Nicholas Sheffo
