The limitations that come with the TV medium haven’t been enough to stop a few made-for-TV actionfilmsfrom holding up well to those released on the big screen. With TV films, audiences often expect a low-quality film as the budget is minimal compared to that of a film released in theaters. However, there are some exceptions. Plenty ofmade-for-TV horrorand sci-fi films have proven to have the same effect on audiences as big Hollywood releases.
The same can be said for the action genre. Of course, a large screen is ideal for the fast pace and high levels of energy expected of the genre. The visual and sound quality of a movie theater prompts a more immersive viewing experience. Still,made-for-TVaction films likeDuelandL.A. Takedownshow the TV medium is not to be underestimated, and a similar experience can be had on a smaller scale.
The Brotherhood Of Justice
Cast
The Brotherhood of Justice follows a group of high school students who form an underground vigilante group to combat school violence. Led by Derek, played by Keanu Reeves, the group initially aims to watch over others but spirals into another violent gang, leading Derek to confront the consequences.
In the mid-’80s, a group of high schoolers in Texas sought out anyone they suspected of vandalizing property on school grounds. The high schoolers' means of punishment and getting their message across was extreme and inspired numerous films and TV specials about teen vigilantes. One of these films isThe Brotherhood of Justice.Keanu Reeves leads the TV film as Derek, the leader of the film’s titular group of vigilanteswho becomes increasingly more violent in their attempt to rebuke vandalism.
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Alongside Reeves, Lori Loughlin, Billy Zane, and Kiefer Sutherland also star in the film. While the latter isn’t displaying the sort of action hero persona he would eventually become known for, it’s still fun to see him in an action setting early on in his career. ThoughThe Brotherhood of Justicehas the star power of an action film on the big screen, the low-intensity levels and lack of an action-packed ending help make sense as to why it was made for TV.
Both Martin Sheen and Nick Nolte rose to fame in the ’70s, but an underrated entry in their filmography is the TV filmThe California Kid. Released in 1974,The California Kidfollows Sheen’s character, Michael McCord, as he enters a town that’s known to be strict with speeding laws. Michael comes to town with a mission of uncovering the truth behind his brother’s death, which he suspects has something to do with a local sheriff, portrayed by Vic Morrow.
The action inThe California Kidisn’t nonstop, but it is quite compelling, especially as it’s coupled with the mystery surrounding the crooked sheriff’s intentions. The story is simple, butthe cast’s performances and the thought-out characters are just enough to keep audiences anticipatinghow Morrow and Sheen’s characters will confront one another.
Airing just a few weeks before the season 5 premiere,Babylon 5: In the Beginningis the second film in theBabylon 5franchise. The space opera franchise isset in the titular space station,which is seen as the hub for diplomacy and trade.In the Beginningprovides additional information as to how the space station was created by detailing a war between humans and aliens.
Seeing the conflict that kicked off the premise of the beloved sci-fi series is a treat for fans, but casual audiences can still enjoy the film just as much. Similar to theBabylon 5series as a whole,In the Beginningis well-written and plays on complex themesthat still allow audiences to easily give their undivided attention. Of course, the multi-layered stories presented withinIn the Beginningare accompanied by captivating action sequences and impressive special effects from a TV movie in the late ’90s.
Terror On The Beach
Terror on the Beach is a 1973 television thriller depicting a family’s harrowing encounter during a beach outing. The narrative unfolds as the family becomes the target of relentless intimidation by a group of young troublemakers, transforming their peaceful trip into a fight for survival.
A few years after starring inSteven Spielberg’sDuel, Dennis Weaver led another made-for-TV film with a similar setup. InTerror on the Beach, Weaver plays a father whose family is heading to the beach for a much-needed vacation. Trouble forms immediately when a bus recklessly drives them off the road. From that point on, the family is continuously harassed by the group of people on the bus.
Terror on the Beachdraws many comparisons to the premise in Wes Craven’sThe Hills Have Eyes, which came out later in the ’70s.
There is a heavy amount of action inTerror on the Beach, as well as some elements of horror.Terror on the Beachdraws many comparisons to the premise in Wes Craven’sThe Hills Have Eyes, which came out later in the ’70s. Though the quality of acting and intensity of scares inTerror on the Beachisn’t as high as Craven’s film, it still manages to hold its own, providing an ample amount of chills due to its unsettling antagonists.
The Deadly Tower
The Deadly Tower is a film recounting the tragic events of August 1966 when Charles Whitman perpetrated a shooting spree at the University of Texas. As Whitman ascends to the tower and unleashes gunfire on civilians, the story details the consequences of his actions, leaving many dead and wounded.
Kurt Russell is no stranger to the action genre. Before starring in films likeEscape from New YorkandBig Trouble in Little China, Russell led the TV filmThe Deadly Tower.The film is based on the shooting at The University of Texas in 1966, with Russell playing the real-life gunman responsible for the high number of deaths. It isn’t often that Russell plays a truly chilling antagonist, but he confidently takes on the role inThe Deadly Towerand plays it convincingly.
While there is some dramatization, as expected of anyaction film based on a true story, the events presented inThe Deadly Towerare largely accurate to what happened in real life. There is a great amount of action and violence throughout, anda well-crafted tension that builds throughout the film’s hour-and-a-half runtime.
By Dawn’s Early Light
By Dawn’s Early Light is a 1990 television film directed by Jack Sholder. The narrative unfolds around a nuclear crisis and the ensuing geopolitical turmoil. Powers Boothe and Rebecca De Mornay star as pilots tasked with a crucial mission in a tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union. Halle Berry and James Earl Jones also feature in this Cold War thriller that examines the perilous brinkmanship of global superpowers.
William Prochnau’s book,Trinity’s Child,details a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Unionand was made into the TV filmBy Dawn’s Early Light. There are a few notable changes made inBy Dawn’s Early Light, including an added romantic subplot, but otherwise, the film closely follows the story by Prochnau. The special effects aren’t the best for a TV film, but they hold up well enough and are effective in establishing the film’s tension.
The action and tension inBy Dawn’s Early Lightare balanced with drama and make for a well-rounded viewing experience. Additionally, like many action films released in theaters,By Dawn’s Early Lightis made up of strong performances by well-known actors. Rip Torn and Powers Boothe are two standouts from the cast, as well as James Earl Jones, who earned an Emmy nomination for his supporting role.
Jesse Stone: Stone Cold
Jesse Stone: Stone Cold, directed by Robert Harmon, follows former L.A. homicide detective Jesse Stone, who becomes the police chief in a quiet New England town. As he investigates the town’s first series of murders and a high school rape, he grapples with personal demons.
In addition to his role as Thomas Magnum inMagnum P.I., one of Tom Selleck’s more well-known TV characters is Jesse Stone.The character comes from a series of detective novelswritten by Robert B. Parker, which have been adapted into numerous made-for-TV films. The first isJesse Stone: Stone Cold, which introduces Selleck as a police chief who investigates a number of similar murders.
Selleck is a strong lead for the film as he handles playing the moody, weary detective with ease and establishes Jesse as someone audiences should root for. Accompanying Selleck isStone Cold’s cast, which includes notable actors like Viola Davis, Stephen McHattie, and Jane Adams. The action isn’t as strong inStone Cold, considering a majority of the film is focused on establishing Selleck’s character. However,audiences' response toStone Coldwas strong and allowed for a total of nine TV films to be made.
Author Robert Stevenson’sTreasure Islandis a book that has been adapted numerous times into film and TV series.One of the best adaptations, and one of the most faithful to the original text, is Fraser Clarke Heston’sTreasure Island, starring Christian Bale and Christopher Lee. The story follows two individuals, Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver, who are on the search for the famous treasure left behind by a deceased pirate, Captain Billy Bones. The close similarities betweenTreasure Islandand Stevenson’s book are why the film holds up high to theatrical action and adventure films.
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The action scenes inTreasure Islandare attention-grabbing and there are barely any moments where the film’s plot dragged and risked losing audiences' attention. Similarly, as eye-catching as the commotion in the film was Charlton Heston. As the antagonist ofTreasure Island,Heston made it clear Long John Silver wasn’t a character to be messed with, but he exuded a certain charisma that made audiences gravitate towards his performance. The appeal of him as an actor explains howHeston’s filmographywas as vast as it was.
L.A. Takedown
L.A. Takedown is a 1989 television film directed by Michael Mann that explores the intense rivalry between Vincent Hanna, a dedicated police officer, and Patrick McLaren, a notorious armed robber. Following a failed heist, their conflict escalates to a dramatic and violent showdown in the streets of Los Angeles.
Unlike many made-for-TV films,L.A. Takedownwould eventually have a theatrical release and become a standout film in its director’s catalog, but with a few changes made to its casting and name. Written and directed by Michael Mann,L.A. Takedownis centered around Scott Plank’s detective character as he’s on the search for a known criminal played by Alex McArthur.Mann had planned to releaseL.A. Takedownas a television show, but when NBC didn’t pick up the series, it was released as a film on the network instead.
A few years later, Mann would transform the story ofL.A. Takedownfor the big screen, remaking it under the nameHeat, which would soon be considered by many to beMann’s best film. Unfortunately,L.A. Takedownis often viewed by most as merely a setup for the iconic film. However, there’s a lot to enjoy about it on its own. Despite the lack of violence and profanity seen in the remake,L.A. Takedownhas impressive high-stakes actionand the film does a fine job of developing its main characters in its limited 92-minute runtime.
Duel (1971)
Steven Spielberg expertly fuses the action and horror genres in his TV filmDuel.Eventually earning a theatrical release with an extended cut,Duelfirst premiered on ABC.Duelfollows Dennis Weaver’s character David on a long drive that quickly becomes dangerous when a semi-truck driver taunts him. To make matters worse,the identity ofDuel’s antagonistis never revealed.
The high levels of tension inDuelare equal to that of a blockbuster thriller and keep audiences engaged the whole time.
The cat-and-mouse dynamic between David and the semi-truck driver results in heart-pounding action sequences.The high levels of tension inDuelare equal to that of a blockbuster thrillerand keep audiences engaged the whole time.Duel’s story is simple, yet highly effective, as not only do audiences' hearts race, but so do their minds. The mystery of the antagonist’s identity leads to many theories about who it is and what their reasons for threatening David’s life are.
