IMDb > "The Equalizer" (1985)

"The Equalizer" (1985) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1985-1989


Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   667 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Equalizer on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 full episode list
Release Date:
18 September 1985 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Crime | Drama more
Plot:
Robert McCall is "The Equalizer", a private detective with a lot of contacts who is available for hire... more
Awards:
Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 11 nominations more
User Comments:
A flawed show that I would not miss more (41 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 2 of 120)
Edward Woodward ... Robert McCall (87 episodes, 1985-1989)

Keith Szarabajka ... Mickey Kostmayer (42 episodes, 1985-1989)
more

Additional Details

Runtime:
60 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Filming Locations:
New York City, New York, USA
Company:
Universal TV more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During the height of the show's popularity, actor Edward Woodward was often approached on the street by people in need, with situations similar to those depicted in the show. He began carrying flyers with the phone numbers of social services organizations and legal clinics for them to contact. more
Quotes:
Robert McCall: Don't do something you won't live to regret. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Lone Gunmen: Planet of the Frohikes (#1.7)" (2001) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 23 people found the following comment useful.
A flawed show that I would not miss, 19 August 2004
Author: jrbleau (jrbleau@sympatico.ca) from Quebec, Canada

I doubt that I could call this an objectively excellent show, but I loved it. We all have worries and concerns in this world, and when The Equalizer would come on, it was as if someone showed up to take care of it all.

The violence was gratuitous, the hero flawed, the premises and execution over the top. Yet the team, headed by an effective if somewhat hammy Edward Woodward who is in turn flanked by Mickey Kostmayer, and Jimmy and Sterno, and the regulars - Control, Pete O'Phelan, Lt. Smalls, Scott, etc. - grew on us. So many budding actors, now famous, guested on this show.

In a key conversation, McCall tells Control how he wished the rain pouring outside could clear away all the human scum and filth that terrorizes society. McCall took it upon himself to do so.

I often wished that longer-term plot elements would take hold. At one point, McCall says to Saul Rubinek's character, "Jason, you set me up. I don't know why, but believe me, I will find out" - but nothing came of this. Some of today's shows, Alias for example, show the potential for twists and turns in long-term plot elements. So, while there were serial elements (ex. McCall's family tribulations), the episodes were largely stand-alone. The Equalizer had huge potential for groundbreaking storylines, but failed to realize it. Still, it provided me with my weekly dose of valued escapism.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "The Equalizer" (1985)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Other then burn notice... michaelmansy
Other then burn notice... michaelmansy
THE EQUALIZER New TV Series to Film Adaptation LBSWebSite-1
Edward Woodward's performance. zx8001
season 2 darthmike-1
Show dated but Edward Woodward timeless... JamesT-Havinfun
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