"Transformers" (1984) TV series 1984-1987

Director:

Peter Wallach

Writer:

Roger Slifer (live-action sequences)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

17 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

More than meets the eye!

Plot:

Two opposing camps of alien transforming robots fight in a war that has the fate of Earth in the balance.

Plot Keywords:

Robot | Alien | Battle | Good Versus Evil | Alien Civilization

Cast

Frank Welker	...	Megatron / ... (68 episodes, 1984-1987)
Peter Cullen	...	Optimus Prime / ... (63 episodes, 1984-1987)
Chris Latta	...	Starscream / ... (63 episodes, 1984-1987)
Corey Burton	...	Spike Witwicky / ... (55 episodes, 1984-1987)
John Stephenson	...	Thundercracker / ... (51 episodes, 1984-1987)
Casey Kasem	...	Teletraan I / ... (51 episodes, 1984-1986)
Dan Gilvezan	...	Bumblebee / ... (50 episodes, 1984-1987)
Don Messick	...	Ratchet / ... (49 episodes, 1984-1986)
Michael Bell	...	Prowl / ... (46 episodes, 1984-1987)
Jack Angel	...	Ramjet / ... (37 episodes, 1985-1987)
Scatman Crothers	...	Jazz (34 episodes, 1984-1986)
Ken Sansom	...	Hound / ... (30 episodes, 1984-1985)
Michael Chain	...	Hoist / ... (28 episodes, 1985-1986)

Also Known As:

Super God Robot Force
Tatakae! Chô robot seimeitai Transformer (Japan)
The Transformers (USA) (new title)
Transformer 2010 (Japan) (third season title)
Transformers: Generation 1 (USA) (informal title)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min | USA:30 min (98 episodes)

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U (video rating) | Singapore:G | Canada:G (TV rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | USA:TV-Y7 | Australia:G (some episodes)

Company:

Sunbow Productions

Trivia:

If this season had aired its episodes in terms of production order, Windcharger would not be mentioned by name until episode 1.12 "Fire on the Mountain".

Goofs:

Continuity: The cartoon is notorious for its lack of continuity and the number of its plot-holes - at least compared to later Transformers shows. For example, robots that could fly in one episode suddenly lose this ability, the Decepticon group called the Constructicons have three contradicting origins, and it is also common for newcomer characters to simply appear in an episode with no explanation given as to why they haven't been seen before. As such, it is not surprising that most of the cast ended up being ignored and forgotten when new characters had to be added.

Quotes:

Sunstreaker: [after being shot at] Hey! That's a new paint job!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Welcome to Eltingville (2002) (TV)

Adult oriented as well as child oriented

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

Golly gosh,is Transformers really nearly 20 years old?This timeless celebration of colourful good machines versus bad machines is a piece of genius.I was channelsurfing today,and saw this on one of the channels.It was an episode I remember called The Revenge Of Bruticus.That holds your attention as well now as it did when you were a young kid.In fact,strangely enough,it almost seems better caught up in the pretentiousness of adult life.I would be very happy if they made a big hollywood blockbuster movie adaptation of the series,even though this would contradict my movie laws no end.Maybe the heartless marketing moguls at hollywood should leave this old classic alone,and let it stand the test of time in it's current posistion.*****