MacGyver (TV Series) Thief of Budapest (1985) User Reviews

My kingdom for a watch

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 6/10 · 7 April 2016]

MacGyver goes East for the third episode, as he has a dangerous mission in Budapest. An old friend, a double spy, has some information to give to him. But the spy is killed, a girl steals the watch where the information is hidden, and MacGyver is pretty soon being followed by a bad Russian guy and his henchmen.

The episode is fast paced enough, and all MacGyver typical elements are there: the voice-over, the humor, some nice action (with a cool but overlong chase included), and characters that seem to have been there forever ever if they change every episode.

There are some shortcomings, though. MacGyver is as cool as ever, but his "invents" are not as great as in some other episodes, there are some continuity errors and there is a funny moment when it's easier than ever to see some people are actually dummies. It makes the episode seem a little bit half-baked.

But MacGyver was a great series, and this episode is absolutely enjoyable.

The Italian Job MacGyver Style

[aramis-112-804880 · 28 February 2023]

Making extensive use of the movie "The Italian Job" gives this MacGyver a real motion picture feel. It's also a cheapjack way to avoid doing a whole show on their own.

MacGyver is in Budapest to pick up some secret information hidden in a steampunk pocket watch. Unfortunately a cuter-than-cute gypsie girl picks the pocket of his contact and until the race car finale the Soviet and Hungarian authorities chase the watch just as MacGyver does. Who will get their fingers on it first?

Don't make any mistake. The Communist and/or Socialist authorities in this episode might be wearing suits and ties but they're every bit the oppressors as are they from the second episode who force slaves into the poppy fields.

Early MacGyver episodes had mini-adventures before the opening titles that were sometimes better than the episode. This one starts with a bizarre mini-adventure about a horse but it's not important. Early episodes were also about freedom and folks striving for it, whatever their color or background. I'm sorry the program strayed from that.

What matters here is: follow the watch. And if you've seen Michael Caine's "The Italian Job," try to put it out of your mind. The editing isn't seemless, but they're doing their best. And ignore that they're in Budapest with occasional signs in Italian.

Loved seeing McGyver steal the King's horse and...SPOILERS

[donbren-1 · 10/10 · 23 March 2009]

I loved seeing MacGyver steal the king's horse, unpack a saddle from his own back pack, and then ride right passed the shiny new gray American vehicle hidden under the canvas in the bandits' camp. * All this while out-riding the whole gang of seasoned saddle-ready bandits, doing the knight's lance trick, unseating the king of the bandits in the process. * And, then out running the bandits down the beach through the water, and all this before being helli-lifted into the sky while still astride the beautiful white horse, whinnying as MacGyver comments "I don't blame you, I hate heights, too!" as the bandits ride helplessly below