Home
search
more | tips
SHOP BLUE THUNDER
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk Amazon.de Amazon.fr
IMDb > Blue Thunder (1983)
Blue Thunder
[Add to My Movies]
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Blue Thunder (1983)

advertisement
Register or login to rate this title
User Rating: 6.0/10 (4,526 votes)
Photos (see all 24 | slideshow) Videos

Overview

Director:
John Badham
Writers:
Dan O'Bannon (written by) &
Don Jakoby (written by)
more
Release Date:
13 May 1983 (USA) more view trailer
Genre:
Action | Crime | Drama more
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 (warning! may contain spoilers)
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
More Timely Now Than Ever more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Blue Thunder the Movie (UK) (video box title)
more
Runtime:
109 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)
Filming Locations:
Lancaster, California, USA more
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 21% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The first draft of the script had a police helicopter pilot going psycho and terrorizing skies of LA. The script was shot down by the movie studio, as they were afraid that the audience would not identify with a psycho main character. They did like the idea of a helicopter fight over LA though. The rewrite became Blue Thunder. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: In the movie F-16 Fighters are sent to destroy Blue Thunder. Their stall speed at low altitude is around 175 mph and they simply couldn't fly that slow to get missile lock on a low-flying helicopter. Instead, the military would have used Cobra Helicopter Gunships (now replaced by the Apache), more suited to the role. more
Quotes:
Jack Braddock: [after Lymangood interrupts him chewing out Murphy] You're supposed to be stupid, son. Don't abuse the privilege. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Reno 911!: Miami (2007) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
More Timely Now Than Ever, 20 August 2001
7/10
Author: Bob-45 from Savannah, GA

Having now worked on an attack helicopter program, I was interested in

seeing "Blue Thunder." I skipped it on its first release. Good thing. "Blue Thunder" is more timely than ever, what with federal abuse of

power with massacres and attempted massacres in Philadelphia (MOVE incident, Ruby Ridge and Waco. Structurally, the film is a mess, taking a fair amount of time introducing us to "Blue Thunder" an "antiriot" (now call "antiterrorist") helicopter better equipped for mass murder than crowd control. Roy Scheider plays Murphy, a former Vietnam helicopter pilot haunted by his memories of 'Nam (this gimmick was getting tiring in 1983). Murphy finds himself the target of a "government conspiracy" when he "gets too close" for the REAL intentions of "Blue Thunder."

Reels of film must have been left on the cutting room floor. Certainly Candy Clark and Warren Oates shine in "nothing" roles, their "real" relationships to Scheider remaining pretty obscure. Malcolm McDowell makes an excellent villain, though his "real" relationship with Scheider doesn't pay off).

HOWEVER, when "Blue Thunder" works, it really rocks. See it.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Blue Thunder (1983)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Would a Blue Thunder remake fly? comments? theattitude
Catch You Later jrs-8
One of the Best Film Scores Ever! beker_a
What happened to the Blue Thunder helicopters? WhiteStallion94
Blue Thunder vs. Airwolf plutoniumcore
So who else died? skl810
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Enforcer Point Break Gone in Sixty Seconds The Warriors Magnum Force
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.