Thu 3 Dec 2009
A TV Movie Review by Mike Tooney: BIRDS OF PREY (1973).
Posted by Steve under Action Adventure movies , Reviews[7] Comments
BIRDS OF PREY. ABC, made for TV movie; first telecast: 30 January 1973. David Janssen, Ralph Meeker, Elayne Heilveil, Harry Klekas, Sam Dawson, James W. Gavin, Paul Grace, Wayne D. Wilkinson, Larry Peacey. Aerial supervisor: James W. Gavin; director: William A. Graham.
The first and only time I saw Birds of Prey was thirty-seven years ago, and it blew me away. As action films go, I still think it’s superior to many; and the fact that it was made for television on a minimal budget makes it even more remarkable.
David Janssen plays an ex-World War Two Flying Tigers fighter pilot whose aviation career is winding down; he’s now relegated to being a traffic reporter flying over Salt Lake City, and he’s quietly going nuts from boredom.
One day he happens to observe a bank robbery in progress, which he duly reports to his good pal from the war (Ralph Meeker), who is now a police captain with the Salt Lake City PD. But Meeker doesn’t believe him at first, thinking it’s another one of Janssen’s middle-aged pranks.
That’s all it takes: Janssen sees it as a challenge — and the chase is on. From this point forward, the film is indeed one giant chase sequence. The bad guys transfer themselves, their loot, and a hostage to a helicopter only to be relentlessly harried by Janssen every step of the way. The pacing is terrific.
In addition to two good performances from Janssen (settling into his world-weary “Harry O” character) and Meeker, the helicopters are also the stars. This was long before CGI (computer-generated visual effects); when the choppers swoop under freeway overpasses with a foot or less separating the rotor blades from the concrete abutments, it’s the real thing.
Another amazing sequence happens INSIDE an aircraft hanger, when Janssen corners the bad guys’ copter; this needs to be seen to be believed. The margin for error, with both copters swaying uncertainly in a Mexican standoff, has to be two or three inches at most.
Kudos to the late James W. Gavin for these sequences. Whenever Hollywood needed a master pilot who could also deliver lines in an acceptable fashion, Gavin was their go-to guy. He did lots of screen work in films and TV series such as Adam 12.
If you really get into the characters in this film — as I did — then the final line will be especially poignant: “Damn you, Walker! I didn’t ask you to do that!”
Tech note: If I remember it correctly, Janssen’s chopper was a Hughes 500D, while the criminals had an Aerospatiale Alouette — but it has been almost four decades.
Further note: Birds of Prey is available on video, but many customers complain that the Second World War-era Big Band music featured in the film’s network broadcast — music that is integral and meaningful to the two lead characters — has been replaced with something different, so be aware that you’re not getting the original film.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
This really is a memorable little film with some feature quality stunts and camera work, not to mention the star turn by Janssen. It’s one of those made for television films where you feel everyone involved recognized they were doing something special.
I’ve known some chopper pilots, both wartime pilots and those who fly traffic and weather and almost all of them love this film. Guess it struck a chord.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I saw this film decades ago. The flying sequences are really creative.
Thanks for a good review.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:22 pm
What a coincidence that I’d be thinking about this film, recall the title and here we are.
Probably some of the most amazing copter/film work ever, and I doubt it could be duplicated.
Is it on VHS, DVD, or Hulu? Thanks!
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
It’s out of print as a DVD, with no copies available on Amazon, but I saw a few VHS copies listed there. Hulu, I don’t know. Maybe someone can say?
April 16th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Great article, thanks. I was able to re-build the soundtrack to this film with the original music a while back. The stock 1940’s swing library music they used to replace the original songs (due to expired licenses) really ruined the whole feel of this film in the home video releases.
October 31st, 2016 at 3:26 pm
I only saw this movie twice as a young teenager, yet I remember it so well. As other have said, the quality of the film and flying with no special aids was awesome. This is the second or third time I the past few years that I have felt compelled to do some research. I would love to have a copy of it. Funny to read about the 1940’s swing sound replacement. I remember one of the songs that had lyrics, “and they swam and they swam all over the dam…” Bob from April 2015 rebuilt the original sound track..impressive. Bob, if you are still out there, can you email me at pkinney4540@gmail.com. I’d like to connect via sidebar with you.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:36 pm
The premise sounds like Roy Scheider in ‘Blue Thunder’ no? Swap out ‘WWII Flying Tigers” with “Vietnam Huey pilot”.
Not related except tangentially: anyone recall (ABC’s) “240-Robert” starring Joanna Cassidy or …how about “CHASE” (NBC) starring Mitchell Ryan and Don Stroud? About a fictional LAPD unit which was permitted to use motorcycles, hot-rods, and helicopters to pursue fleeing crooks. Wacky!
++Mitchell Ryan