Spider-Man Strikes Back (TV 1978)

At the New York State University, one of Peter Parker's tutors has accidentally given three students all the materials they need to create an atomic bomb. While Peter Parker tries to find ... See full summary »

Director:

Ron Satlof

Writer:

Robert Janes

Stars:

Nicholas Hammond, Robert F. Simon, Chip Fields

Cast

Credited cast:
Nicholas Hammond	...	Spider-Man / Peter Parker (archive footage)
Robert F. Simon	...	J. Jonah Jameson (archive footage)
Chip Fields	...	(archive footage)
Michael Pataki	...	Captain Barbera (archive footage)
JoAnna Cameron	...	Gale Hoffman (archive footage)
Robert Alda	...	Mr. White (archive footage)
Randy Powell	...	(archive footage)
Sidney Clute	...	(archive footage)
Steven Anderson	...	(archive footage)
Anne Bloom	...	(archive footage)
Herbie Braha	...	(archive footage)
Leigh Kavanaugh	...	Linda (archive footage)
Ron Hajak	...	Salesman (archive footage)
David Somerville	...	Singer (archive footage)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Wil Albert	...	(archive footage)

Storyline

At the New York State University, one of Peter Parker's tutors has accidentally given three students all the materials they need to create an atomic bomb. While Peter Parker tries to find out what's happened, the police suspect him of the crime, and Peter has to deal with an attractive journalist determined to get an interview with Spider-Man. Then dastardly millionaire Mr. White shows up, and will stop at nothing to get his hands on the atomic bomb. Spider-Man must defeat this scheming villain and stop him blowing up the World Trade Centre...

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Plot Keywords:

atomic bomb | spider man | millionaire | university | journalist | 

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Genres:

Action | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 1979 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

The Deadly Dust

Filming Locations:

Billy's Restaurant - 112 W 5th St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charles Fries Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released theatrically across Europe, but on TV in the U.S.

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Quotes

Mr. White: [looking at Gale in a white bikini] Very nice.
Gale Hoffman: Why do I have to dress this way?
Mr. White: Two reasons, one, because I like women in bikinis, and two, I feel safer when I know there's no place for them to hide any weapons.

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Connections

Edited from The Amazing Spider-Man: The Deadly Dust: Part 1 (1978)

User Reviews

Mild but entertaining comicbook adventure

Spider-Man Strikes Back never really captures the feel of the Marvel comics it's based on. Only two characters - Peter Parker and J. Jonah Jameson - make the transition and although both give likeable performances, neither are really that similar to their comicbook counterparts. Nicolas Hammond is too old for Peter, and as Spidey, lacks the wallcrawler's sense of humour, although his intelligence and scientific knowledge is essential to the plot. Robert F. Simon is grouchy, but doesn't have pompousness or anger of Daily Bugle editor JJJ. Secretary Rita was perhaps originally Betty Brant, but she has very little in common with her.

Spidey himself is done quite well, his costume is almost exactly the same as the original, and he climbs up and down buildings slowly but effectively. He even swings on a webline in one absolutely perfect (but very short) sequence, which will have fans in raptures. The fight scenes are cool, if short, with some intresting techniques thrown in, including jump cutting and P.O.V shots during the combat. There is also an exciting car chase and a genuinely dramatic climax with Spidey racing to defuse a nuclear bomb. The stunts are extremely impressive considering the budget.

The biggest fault is the lack of any supervillains. Instead of the Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter or Mysterio, the arch enemy is Mr. White, a greedy millionaire who is after the bomb. His two henchmen are a kung fu guy and a huge, Jaws-like thug. They are all acceptable for 1970's TV shows, but for a movie released theatrically, insufficient.

There is some great music, however, and Peter's trademark day-to-day problems are all present and correct and occasionally amusing. A lot of the action takes place on top of skyscrapers as well, as in the comics. Compared to other comic based TV movies, it's one of the best, far superior to the recent Justice League of America (1997) and only surpassed by The Incredible Hulk (1977).

Overall, a pleasantly enjoyable movie and the best Spider-Man film so far, but nothing to get too excited about. Get excited about Sam Raimi's 2001 Spider-Man, with Tobey Maguire as Spidey fighting Doctor Octopus and the Green Goblin.