Knight of the Phoenix: Part 1 (26 Sep. 1982)

A detective, believed to have been killed, is given a new face and identity and is armed with an artificially intelligent super car.

Director:

Daniel Haller

Writers:

Glen A. Larson (creator), Glen A. Larson

Stars:

David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, Phyllis Davis

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Hasselhoff	...	Michael Long (#2) / Michael Knight
Edward Mulhare	...	Devon Miles
Phyllis Davis	...	Tanya Walker
Pamela Susan Shoop	...	Maggie
Lance LeGault	...	Vernon Gray
Noel Conlon	...	William Benjamin
Michael D. Roberts	...	Jackson
Bert Rosario	...	Brown
Vince Edwards	...	Fred Wilson
Richard Basehart	...	Wilton Knight
Ed Gilbert	...	Charles Acton (as Edmund Gilbert)
Shawn Southwick	...	Lonnie
Brian Cutler	...	Bar Manager
Barret Oliver	...	Buddy
Robert Phillips	...	Symes

Storyline

When a young detective is ambushed in a failed police stake out, he is believed to have been killed. In reality, he revives and learns that his face has been altered and his identity has been changed to Micheal Knight. The person responsible for this is Wilton Knight, a dying billionare who, convinced that one man can make a difference, has selected Micheal for the role as a crime-fighter. Now armed with a advanced car called KITT which has the equivalent armor of a battle tank, capable of speeds over 300 MPH and contains an artificial intelligence computer personality as an aide, Micheal agrees to perform his assigned role.

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Plot Keywords:

artificial intelligence | knight rider | tv series pilot | gadget car | automobile | 

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Taglines:

A young man set on revenge. His partner... an indestructible car.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1982 (USA)

Filming Locations:

California State University Northridge - 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Glen A. Larson Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Knight Rider: Knight of the Phoenix," Originally aired on NBC in 1982 as a two-hour TV movie. The two-hour pilot was later split in to two parts for syndication and the second half of the pilot was retitled "Knight Rider: Knight of the Phoenix, Part II."

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Goofs

KITT drives himself back to the gas station after being stolen. When the car pulls up beside Michael, the stunt driver's arms can be seen steering the car, then quickly moving out of shot.

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Quotes

Tanya Walker: [Speaking to the head of security] This is Tanya, someone is in town looking for me. I will give you the car and license plate. It's a new Trans-AM with a California license lettering "KNIGHT".

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Connections

Followed by Knight Rider 2000 (1991)

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Soundtracks

"Third Rate Romance"
Performed by The Amazing Rhythm Aces (uncredited)

User Reviews

Major disappintment....

I remember watching a number of 80's TV series, The A-Team, Streethawk, Airwolf, Magnum p.i, and Knight Rider. However when I recently looked over them again, this was terrible. For some reason my memory of a cool guy and his talking car, was corrupted. David Hasslehoff is his usual talentless self, the stunts are phoney and bland and the stories are utter rubbish.

I don't know why I had this memory of a great show, coz the series was a major letdown.

Unlike Magnum, or the A-Team which drew its strength from its weaknesses and hold their charm, Knight Rider just looks awful.