The Six Million Dollar Man: Solid Gold Kidnapping (1973) (TV)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Russ Mayberry

Writers:

Martin Caidin (novel)
Larry Alexander (teleplay)

Release Date:

17 November 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot:

A criminal organization known as OSO specializes in kidnapping high ranking U.S. representatives. Although...

Plot Keywords:

Kidnapping | Gold As Ransom | Memory Cells | Fort Knox | Fake Illness

Cast

Lee Majors	...	Col. Steve Austin
Richard Anderson	...	Oscar Goldman
Alan Oppenheimer	...	Dr. Rudy Wells
Elizabeth Ashley	...	Dr. Erica Bergner
Terry Carter	...	Mel Bristo
John Vernon	...	Julian Peck
Maurice Evans	...	Chairman of the Board
Luciana Paluzzi	...	Contessa DeRojas
Leif Erickson	...	William Henry Cameron
Craig Huebing	...	Roger Ventriss
David White	...	Ambassador Scott
Polly Middleton	...	Chairman's Secretary
Marcel Hillaire	...	Customs Inspector
Leigh Christian	...	Lady Skier
James Sikking	...	2nd OSO Agent

Also Known As:

Solid Gold Kidnapping (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Universal TV

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The film suggests that London Airport is located adjacent to a shipping port (an unlikely location for an airport in any circumstances).

Quotes:

Ambassador Scott: They send one man?
Col. Steve Austin: Well, things are a little tight, sir. You know, with inflation and budget cuts.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Bionic Ever After? (1994) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Six Million Dollar Man

Overstuffed episode

Had it been pared down to a single episode of the series, the Solid Gold Kidnapping would be passable, but as a full movie it leaves a lot to be desired. There is a large amount of obvious stock footage from many sources and a plot with no surprises or suspense.

On the plus side, guest star John Vernon makes a very good villain, the evil organization is interesting although a bit glossed over, and they do attempt to discuss the philosophical implications of bionics in a way that isn't quite as silly as you'd expect.

All in all, though, it's missable. If you're a big fan of the Six Million Dollar Man, you still might want to see it after you've seen the rest of the series and it's TV movies but don't set your expectations too high. This is just an average episode with enough extra filler to make it 90 minutes long.