The Six Million Dollar Man (1973) (TV)

Director:

Richard Irving

Writers:

Terrence McDonnell (written by) and
Martin Caidin (novel)

Release Date:

7 March 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Sci-Fi

Plot:

After an astronaut/test pilot is catastrophically mutilated in a test plane crash, he is rebuilt and equipped with nuclear powered bionic limbs and implants.

Plot Keywords:

Bionics | Agent | Robot | Science | TV Series Pilot

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Lee Majors	...	Steve Austin
Barbara Anderson	...	Jean Manners
Martin Balsam	...	Dr. Rudy Wells
Darren McGavin	...	Oliver Spencer
Charles Robinson	...	Prisoner (as Charles Knox Robinson)
Ivor Barry	...	Geraldton
Dorothy Green	...	Mrs. McKay
Anne Whitfield	...	Young Woman
George Wallace	...	General
Robert Cornthwaite	...	Dr. Ashburn
Olan Soule	...	Saltillo (as Alan Soulé)
Norma Storch	...	Woman
Maurice Sherbanee	...	Nudaylah
John Mark Robinson	...	Aide

Also Known As:

Cyborg: The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man: The Moon and the Desert (USA) (rerun title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:U | Norway:11 (video premiere)

Filming Locations:

Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

In this episode only, Steve Austin is referred to as a civilian astronaut. In the subsequent series, Steve is a Colonel in the Air Force.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Applies only to the reedited "Moon and the Desert" syndicated version: Top of the set backdrop and studio lighting visible in the shot showing Austin and another astronaut preparing to leave the moon.

Quotes:

Dr. Rudy Wells: Steve, you got a positive genius for antagonizing the wrong people.
Steve Austin: I know, it's story of my life.

Movie Connections:

Edited into "The Six Million Dollar Man: The Pal-Mir Escort (#2.4)" (1974)

A damn fine film adaptation!

A very well done adaptation of Caidin's fine book, it has some interesting differences from the later show. Oscar Goldman, as played by Darrin McGavin is way more heartless and is intent on getting the governments worth out of Steve. Steve is much more mentally distressed and early on, suicidal after being maimed. It played more for adults, with an espionage theme (as did the second 90 minutes installment, Wine Women and War, with perenial bad guy Eric Braeden). It's very close to the book, but eliminates the female Israeli assigned to help Steve. It's very watchable even today and I wouldn't be surprised to see a big budget version get made.