The A-Team (1983–1987)

Four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn't commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military.

Creators:

Stephen J. Cannell, Frank Lupo

Stars:

George Peppard, Dwight Schultz, Mr. T

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
George Peppard	...	John 'Hannibal' Smith (97 episodes, 1983-1987)
Dwight Schultz	...	'Howling Mad' Murdock (97 episodes, 1983-1987)
Mr. T	...	B.A. Baracus (97 episodes, 1983-1987)
Dirk Benedict	...	Templeton 'Faceman' Peck (96 episodes, 1983-1987)

Storyline

At the end of their stint in Viet Nam, Col. John "Hannibal" Smith and his team were framed for robbing the Bank of Hanoi (which they had done, but under orders), and sent to a US military prison. They escaped and went on the run, pursued first by Col. Lynch and later by Col. Decker. While on the lam, they became heroes for hire, working as good-guy vigilantes around the US or the world. Hannibal was their leader and an expert at disguises. Face was the team's con artist and lady's man. BA (officially "Bad Attitude") was their mechanic, but also took care of mayhem and intimidation. The final member of the Team, "Howling Mad" Murdock, was an expert pilot, and a certified lunatic--they broke him out of a mental hospital whenever they needed him for a mission.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | soldier | army | soldiers of fortune | special forces | 

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Taglines:

Heroes for hire.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Omada

Filming Locations:

Saddle Rock Ranch - 31727 Mullholland Highway, Malibu, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

In his autobiography, Hulk Hogan wrote that the producers wanted him to make more appearances, because he was one of the few guys that got along with both George Peppard and Mr. T. He was unable to commit due to his schedule with the World Wrestling Federation.

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Goofs

In order to have become a Green Beret BA Baracus would have to have undergone Airborne Training and completed a number of parachute jumps. Yet according to his mother he was afraid of flying even from an early age. However, given BA's tenacity and toughness, that doesn't discount the possibility that he did many parachute jumps simply because he wanted to face that fear and overcome it.

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Quotes

B.A. Baracus: I ain't flying Hannibal!

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Connections

Spoofed in Drawn Together: N.R.A vs. Ray (2006)

User Reviews

If you've got a problem and no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire...The A Team ( cue music )

Weren't 80's shows the greatest? There are some great shows out there today but nothing like The Dukes of Hazard, The Incredible Hulk and The A-Team. What an absolutely fantastic idea to have four Vietnam Vets on the run from the law and along the way solving crimes and puzzles for people that can afford them. How many of us can remember the bickering of B.A and Murdock? Remember how funny it was to watch Hannibal and Murdock trick B.A into drinking his milk? All of this was done to knock him out so they could fly somewhere (B.A. was afraid of flying). Hannibal smoking his cigars and then spewing out cool lines like " I love it when a plan comes together. " Faceman could infiltrate any establishment, not through brute force but with his wit and ability to disguise himself. And Murdock was just plain crazy, or was he? Many people have alluded to the fact no one ever got hurt either. How many times did Hannibal shoot out someone's tires and the car would flip over 500 times and then the occupants would get out of the car just rubbing their neck and grimacing a bit? Classic stuff. I also think the A-Team was a distant cousin of MacGyver because they could build anything out of anything. They would be locked in a warehouse by the bad guys and that warehouse would just happen to have a blow-torch and a bunch of steel in it. Low and behold, they would build themselves a tank. Sure this is all incredibly silly but so entertaining.

Some 90's shows are great. Friends and Cheers and Frasier and I'm sure a bunch of others are awesome, but they can not match the sheer innocence and brilliance of shows like the A-Team. Maybe I am biased because I grew up in the 80's but I truly feel that way. The A-Team is one show that I wish would show up in syndication here in Toronto. It was fun, imaginative and damn entertaining. Just like most other entertainment that was born in the 80's.

A true staple of the 80's

10 out of 10