Captain America (1979 film)
Captain America | |
---|---|
Genre | Superhero |
Based on | |
Written by | Don Ingalls |
Directed by | Rod Holcomb |
Starring | Reb Brown |
Theme music composer | |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producer | Allan Balter |
Producer | Martin M. Goldstein |
Cinematography | Ronald W. Browne |
Editor | Michael S. Murphy |
Running time | 97 minutes |
Production company | Universal Television |
Budget | $150,000 |
Original release | |
Network | CBS |
Release | January 19, 1979 |
Related | |
Captain America is a 1979 American made-for-television superhero film loosely based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, directed by Rod Holcomb and starring Reb Brown. The film was followed by the sequel Captain America II: Death Too Soon, also released in the same year.[1]
Although this was not a widely seen made for television film, it influenced the comic books in a few ways, such as Steve Rogers's choice of personal vehicles and his skill as a talented and educated artist in
Plot
Steve Rogers (Reb Brown) is a former Marine whose father is a 1940s government agent. His father's patriotic attitude earns him the nickname "Captain America". His father is later murdered.
Rogers, now making a living as an artist and traveling the countryside in a conversion van, is inspired by his father's story to sketch a superhero. He is critically injured from an attempt on his life that is set up to seem like an accident.
He is administered an experimental serum called the FLAG formula, an acronym for "Full Latent Ability Gain" — a kind of "super-steroid" — which Rogers' father had developed from his own glands. The formula not only saves his life, but enhances his strength and reflexes. These new abilities inspire Dr. Simon Mills (Len Birman), the research biochemist and intelligence official behind FLAG who was once a friend of Steve's father, to recruit Steve and give him a costume based on his drawing.
As Captain America, Steve's conversion van is re-configured so that it can launch a high-tech motorcycle. The bike features rocket thrust — a jet booster for rapid acceleration — and a stealth setting that reduces engine and road noise. In the sequel, Captain America II: Death Too Soon it also possesses a detachable wing resembling a hang glider that allows limited gravity-powered flight. In addition, the bike has a detachable round windscreen that becomes Rogers' shield when he goes on foot, resembling the comics' shield with the white stripes being transparent. It is bulletproof, and can be thrown as a returning weapon without having to be ricocheted off surfaces.
It soon is revealed that the villain intends to threaten to destroy a community with a
In the final act of the film, Rogers decides to become the same Captain America as his father had been, donning a uniform identical to the one his father had worn: the "classic" Captain America uniform.
Cast
- Reb Brown as Steve Rogers / Captain America
- Len Birman as Dr. Simon Mills
- Heather Menzies as Dr. Wendy Day
- Robin Mattson as Tina Hayden
- Joseph Ruskin as Rudy Sandrini
- Lance LeGault as Harley
- Frank Marth as Agent Charles Barber
- Steve Forrest as Lou Brackett
- Chip Johnson as Jerry
- James Ingersoll as Lester Wiant
- Jim B. Smith as F.B.I. Assistant
- Jason Wingreen as Surgeon
- June Dayton as Secretary
- Diana Webster as Nurse
- Dan Barton as Jeff Hayden
Release
The film was released theatrically in Colombia in 1981.[2]
Reception
The movie received a mixed reception from critics.[3][4]
Adaptation of elements in other media
The elements of the TV movies were slightly emulated in the Captain America comic book series.
In issue #237, Rogers establishes himself as a commercial artist.
In issue #259, a young man that Captain America redeemed from associating with a criminal gang built a custom high-performance motorcycle in gratitude, which became a signature vehicle of the character for years. Apart from having considerable speed, the design is standard apart from its
In issue #318, Rogers receives a specially customized conversion van courtesy of King T'Challa of
References
- ISBN 978-0-7864-3703-0
- ISBN 9780786443048. Retrieved 29 March 2017 – via Google Books.
- Twitch Film. Archived from the originalon 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
- ^ "ANether Regions: 07.12.11: Captain America - The 1979 TV Movies". 411. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
- ^ Claremont, Chris; McKenzie, R (1979). "From the Ashes...". Captain America. 1 (237): 6.
- ^ Nicieza, Fabian; Maguire, Kevin (September 1991). The Adventures of Captain America (1): 9.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ Michelini, David (1986). "Rite of Passage". Captain America. 1 (259).
- ^ Guenwald, Mark (1986). "Justice is Served". Captain America. 1 (318).
External links
- Captain America at IMDb
- Captain America at Letterboxd