IMDb > Blue Thunder (1983)
Blue Thunder
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Blue Thunder (1983) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 4 NEW)
Blue Thunder (1983) -- Roy Scheider and Malcolm McDowell star in this thriller set in Los Angeles during the 1984 Olympics. Scheider plays a Helicopter Pilot who flies "Blue Thunder" a sophisticated hi-tech helicopter used for security. Criminal mastermind, McDowell will stop at nothing to destroy the helicopter.
Blue Thunder (1983) -- The cop test pilot for an experimental police helicopter learns the sinister implications of the new vehicle.
Blue Thunder (1983) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Blue Thunder (1983) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   5,605 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Badham
Writers:
Dan O'Bannon (written by) &
Don Jakoby (written by)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Blue Thunder on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 May 1983 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
He's Out There...
Plot:
The cop test pilot for an experimental police helicopter learns the sinister implications of the new vehicle. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Blue Thunder - Blu-ray Review
 (From Monsters and Critics. 17 August 2009, 7:51 AM, PDT)

New On DVD This Week
 (From The Flickcast. 11 August 2009, 1:15 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
The original film is much better than the TV show more (48 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Roy Scheider ... Officer Frank Murphy
Warren Oates ... Capt. Jack Braddock
Candy Clark ... Kate
Daniel Stern ... Officer Richard Lymangood
Paul Roebling ... Icelan

David Sheiner ... Fletcher

Joe Santos ... Montoya

Malcolm McDowell ... Col. F.E. Cochrane
Ed Bernard ... Sgt. Short
Jason Bernard ... Mayor
Mario Machado ... Himself

James Murtaugh ... Alf Hewitt
Pat McNamara ... Matusek
Jack Murdock ... Kress
Clifford A. Pellow ... Allen (as Clifford Pellow)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Blue Thunder the Movie (UK) (video box title)
more
Runtime:
109 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)
Filming Locations:
Lancaster, California, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The helicopter used to portray Blue Thunder was a French-made Gazelle helicopter with bolt-on parts to change its appearance. Most notably the chin cannon assembly was too heavy, necessitating a weight attached to the tail to keep the nose from dipping forward in flight. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the "Follow My Leader" sequence, interior shots of Cochrane show an overcast, cloudy sky, while exterior shots show a cloudless (if smoggy) blue sky. more
Quotes:
[Murphy is looking over Blue Thunder's cockpit after the demonstration]
Col. F.E. Cochrane: Could have used this in 'Nam.
Frank Murphy: Could have used something.
more
Movie Connections:
References "Laverne & Shirley" (1976) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
The original film is much better than the TV show, 21 July 2002
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK

A helicopter is developed for police work using full surveillance technology, stealth modes etc. Officer Murphy and his partner are trained to fly it for street tests. However Murphy suspects that it has more sinister uses when he finds that the man in charge is Colonel Cochrane – who he has a history with in Vietnam. The battle between the two men heads for a showdown as Murphy gets evidence to back up his suspicions.

Made as a film but turned into an inferior tv show this film is entertaining but no more than that. The plot is interesting – with plenty of conspiracy stuff but the action is sometimes forced. Because most of the helicopter shenanigans are save for the climax we are given car chases etc to help fill the time. The helicopter itself is very cool and well used and the final battle above the city is exciting if formulaic. The morals of a `big brother' helicopter, able to pry everywhere isn't examined as well as could have been but it's still interesting.

Scheider is always good to watch and does well, as do Warren Oates and a young Daniel Stern. However the show is stolen and the film made by a great baddie from Malcolm McDowell (catch you later!) who is menace incarnate for me.

Overall an enjoyable thriller but it really only sticks in the memory due to the TV series that followed – worth watching for McDowell though.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (48 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Blue Thunder (1983)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The dumbest film I've see in a long while... Anscules
Funny Quotes from Blue Thunder Zach126
They changed the soundtrack. pbandj4evr
Lots of questions jdryyz
Blue Thunder Blu-Ray Professor_Abronsius
A Celebration of Roy Scheider with Blue Thunder? EHnews
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Magnum Force The Spider Returns GoldenEye Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc. The Gauntlet
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.