Theme Song: There is some olde-time WWII-era music, and then a standard jazzy trombone T.V. movie soundtrack throughout.
Social Context: To look at pictures of David Janssen from the 70s and know that the man was only in his early 40s is insanity. He looks carved from stone and as weathered as they come. There’s also something somber about him, which isn’t helped by the fact that every T.V. movie I’ve seen him in has him playing a character with a depressing death wish (see also High Ice).
Summary: Local Salt Lake helicopter traffic reporter Harry Walker (Janssen) is an aging WWII vet stuck reminiscing about his glory days in the war. It’s a little insulting that Janssen would have been just 11 years old when WWII was in full swing, but that’s besides the point.
While going in his ‘copter to get money for unpaid child support, Harry witnesses a bank robbery in progress, complete with hostage. He gives chase at the behest of the local police and eventually the team of robbers take flight in a helicopter of their own, which results in a bunch of ‘copter chases and tricks that seem very dangerous by modern CGI standards.
Eventually Harry gets the hostage into his helicopter, where they spend an awkward night together hiding in the mountains. They get to talking and eventually kiss even though it’s uncomfortably awkward because the hostage repeatedly talks about how she’s 22 and hasn’t ever kissed anyone. She then remarks that he does not kiss like her father or brother.
The next day, because it’s the only logical solution even though the hostage is freed, Harry rams his helicopter into the robbers’ chopper and everyone dies.
Worth Mentioning:
– Directed by T.V. movie veteran William Graham.
– Filmed in and around Salt Lake City, Utah and there’s an insane amount of aerial and ground shots of the city and mountains. If that’s your turf, this is worth checking out.
– This police chief (Ralph Meeker) gives orders while drinking a shit-ton of milk.
Poster and Box Art: Photos dominate this Prism clamshell case. In fact, Janssen only gets like .75” for his face. Worth noting the back of the box specifies “Life-or-Death Copter Action”.
