The A-Team 

Four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn't commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military.

Creators:

Stephen J. Cannell, Frank Lupo

Stars:

George Peppard, Mr. T, Dwight Schultz

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
George Peppard	...	John 'Hannibal' Smith 97 episodes, 1983-1987
Dwight Schultz	...	'Howling Mad' Murdock 97 episodes, 1983-1987
Mr. T	...	B.A. Baracus 97 episodes, 1983-1987
Dirk Benedict	...	Templeton 'Faceman' Peck 96 episodes, 1983-1987

Storyline

At the end of their stint in Vietnam, Col. John "Hannibal" Smith and his team were framed for robbing the Bank of Hanoi (which they had done, but under orders), and sent to a US military prison. They escaped and went on the run, pursued first by Col. Lynch and later by Col. Decker. While on the lam, they became heroes for hire, working as good-guy vigilantes around the US or the world. Hannibal was their leader and an expert at disguises. Face was the team's con artist and ladies man. BA (officially "Bad Attitude") was their mechanic, but also took care of mayhem and intimidation. The final member of the Team, "Howling Mad" Murdock, was an expert pilot, and a certified lunatic--they broke him out of a mental hospital whenever they needed him for a mission.

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Plot Keywords:

gmc vandura | 1980s | cult tv | good versus evil | mercenary | 

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Taglines:

Heroes for hire.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The most unique aspect of the series is that although there are shootouts, car crashes and explosions galore, no one gets killed. There are, however, more than enough fistfights and brawls to satisfy action fans.

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Goofs

Throughout the series, the stunt doubles used to stand in for the actors are often very obviously not the actor in question. This is consistent with other action/adventure TV shows from the same era and ilk.

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Quotes

[opening narration]
Narrator: 10 years ago a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team.

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Alternate Versions

The episodes broadcast in Germany on the commercial network RTL were heavily cut with regards to violence and 'imitable techniques' (such as improvising weapons and explosives). Also, the opening credits for all episodes were based on the version originally used for the 5th season, including the unpopular remix of the opening song. The first season episodes broadcast on the public network ARD, however, were completely uncut and featured the original opening credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Sale of the Century (2006)

User Reviews

I have one thing to say to the critics: SHUT UP FOOL!!

This is something very cool, and the funny part is, if you didn't see it as a child or when it was a prime time series YOU don't like it!! A-team is not even a un political series, nope nothing controversial here, the A-team never kills a bad guy, they don't even wound them!! but the way B.A. Throws a bad guy over a car or when Hannibal says "I love it when a plan comes together" you don't even notice that this is in fact a family show. When I was a but a wee lad, this was the show I loved and heres the loser part, I STILL DO!! there has been many legendary shows of this period, Magnum P.I., Airwolf and Knight Rider, but A-team is in an entirely other league!! God bless George Peppard and his Legendary A-Team ill follow you in to combat anytime.... And i still do!!!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

The A-Team

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions, Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Stereo (Season 5)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3