Knight of the Phoenix: Part 1 

A detective, believed to have been killed, is given a new face and identity and is armed with an artificially intelligent super car.

Director:

Daniel Haller

Writers:

Glen A. Larson (created by), Glen A. Larson

Stars:

David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, Phyllis Davis

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Hasselhoff	...	Michael Long / Michael Knight
Edward Mulhare	...	Devon Miles
Phyllis Davis	...	Tanya Walker
Pamela Susan Shoop	...	Maggie
Lance LeGault	...	Vernon Gray
Noel Conlon	...	William Benjamin
Michael D. Roberts	...	Jackson
Bert Rosario	...	Brown
Richard Anderson	...	Dr. Ralph Wesley
Vince Edwards	...	Fred Wilson
Richard Basehart	...	Wilton Knight
Ed Gilbert	...	Charles Acton (as Edmund Gilbert)
Shawn Ora Engemann	...	Lonnie (as Shawn Southwick)
Brian Cutler	...	Bar Manager
Barret Oliver	...	Buddy

Storyline

When a young detective is ambushed in a failed police stake out, he is believed to have been killed. In reality, he revives and learns that his face has been altered and his identity has been changed to Micheal Knight. The person responsible for this is Wilton Knight, a dying billionare who, convinced that one man can make a difference, has selected Micheal for the role as a crime-fighter. Now armed with a advanced car called KITT which has the equivalent armor of a battle tank, capable of speeds over 300 MPH and contains an artificial intelligence computer personality as an aide, Micheal agrees to perform his assigned role.

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Plot Keywords:

number in episode title | artificial intelligence | gadget car | knight rider | tv series pilot | 

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Taglines:

A young man set on revenge. His partner... an indestructible car.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Knight of the Phoenix: Part 1

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Burbank Airport - 2627 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Glen A. Larson Productions, Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Unusually, Michael contacts Devon via phone. Typically in the series, he would do so via one of KITT's monitor screens.

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Goofs

Near the end of the movie Michael Knight has been shot in the shoulder. As he is driving KITT the shoulder he has been shot in swaps sides two or three times.

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Quotes

[Devon and Michael are celebrating the successful first mission]
Devon Miles: Shall we drink to what is the start of...
Michael Knight: Of what?
Devon Miles: One Man's dream
Michael Knight: And to our future. No matter who it may take us up against or where.

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Alternate Versions

When this was originally aired, Larry Anderson's real voice was used for Michael Long. In subsequent airings, David Hasselhoff's voice is dubbed over.

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Connections

Featured in Knight Rider: Chariot of Gold (1983)

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Soundtracks

Harden My Heart
Written by Marv Ross (uncredited)
Performed by Quarterflash (uncredited)

User Reviews

Major disappintment....

I remember watching a number of 80's TV series, The A-Team, Streethawk, Airwolf, Magnum p.i, and Knight Rider. However when I recently looked over them again, this was terrible. For some reason my memory of a cool guy and his talking car, was corrupted. David Hasslehoff is his usual talentless self, the stunts are phoney and bland and the stories are utter rubbish.

I don't know why I had this memory of a great show, coz the series was a major letdown.

Unlike Magnum, or the A-Team which drew its strength from its weaknesses and hold their charm, Knight Rider just looks awful.