IMDb > Blue Thunder (1983)
Blue Thunder
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Blue Thunder (1983) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 26 | slideshow) Videos (see all 3)
Blue Thunder (1983) -- The cop test pilot for an experimental police helicopter learns the sinister implications of the new vehicle.
Blue Thunder (1983) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   5,709 votes
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Down 29% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Dan O'Bannon (written by) &
Don Jakoby (written by)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Blue Thunder on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 May 1983 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
He's Out There...
Plot:
The cop test pilot for an experimental police helicopter learns the sinister implications of the new vehicle. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(12 articles)
User Reviews:
Solid Work All Around more (49 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Roy Scheider ... Officer Frank Murphy
Warren Oates ... Capt. Jack Braddock
Candy Clark ... Kate
Daniel Stern ... Officer Richard Lymangood
Paul Roebling ... Icelan

David Sheiner ... Fletcher
Joe Santos ... Montoya

Malcolm McDowell ... Col. F.E. Cochrane
Ed Bernard ... Sgt. Short
Jason Bernard ... Mayor
Mario Machado ... Himself

James Murtaugh ... Alf Hewitt
Pat McNamara ... Matusek
Jack Murdock ... Kress
Clifford A. Pellow ... Allen (as Clifford Pellow)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Blue Thunder the Movie (UK) (video box title)
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Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
One scene was cut after initial test screening: Kate was arriving in downtown, and instead of making a "right" as Murphy hoped, she made a left, and went the wrong way down a one-way street, and she immediately made ANOTHER left into an alley. There was supposed to be a scene were a police car blocked her off in the alley, and she did a James Bond "drive on two wheels" move to get past the police car and get to the TV station. However, audience thought this scene was too "incredible" and it was cut from the movie. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Lymangood is being chased just before he is killed, his hands are taped together. After he is struck by the car and sprawls out on the pavement his hands are clearly free and apart. But when the EMTs are picking him up and putting him in the body bag, his hands are again taped together. more
Quotes:
[Murphy and Lymangood are on patrol]
Lymangood: All those people. What do you suppose they're all doing down there?
Frank Murphy: Well, according to the latest statistics, about 1 million, 775 thousand of them are... getting it on!
Lymangood: That many, eh!
Frank Murphy: The rest are waiting for 'Laverne and Shirley'!
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FAQ

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13 out of 16 people found the following review useful.
Solid Work All Around, 7 January 2005
9/10
Author: channel_3_tv from United States

John Badham is a curious director and I think he gets it right in this one. After all Roy Scheider never stunk it up in his illustrious career and he hits all the right notes in this one as Frank Murphy the Vietnam Vet trying to escape the memories of his war experience. When Malcolm McDowell shows up (and honestly, who plays an a--hole better than McDowell in his heyday?) to become Murphy's nemesis. The very underrated Warren Oates as the crotchety commanding officer and Candy Clark as Murphy's girlfriend, who is the ultimate heroine of the plot, turn in solid performances. The helicopter clearly steals the show though as anyone between the ages of 7 and 21 had to just be glued to the screen watching that bird strut its stuff. Great action sequences and rather good photography during the climactic chase scene.

I still have fond memories of this film which I saw in the drive in as a kid and I think it's what films of this genre should be...a couple of hours of wild fun!..."Follow My Leader"

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The dumbest film I've see in a long while... Anscules
Funny Quotes from Blue Thunder Zach126
They changed the soundtrack. pbandj4evr
Lots of questions jdryyz
Blue Thunder Blu-Ray Professor_Abronsius
A Celebration of Roy Scheider with Blue Thunder? EHnews
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