As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of film, I find myself drawn to two vastly different yet captivating productions: the ludicrously entertaining “Sharknado” and the critically acclaimed “24”.
There’s an abundance of action films available – thousands, in fact! Given the vast array of options, it’s understandable that some movies might receive less attention than others. Predominantly, it’s the films with extensive marketing efforts behind them that garner the most interest. These are typically the high-budget blockbusters intended for cinema release.
A larger budget doesn’t automatically mean a superior movie, especially in the action genre. TV productions, despite their constraints, can sometimes thrive due to factors such as tighter pacing, a narrower focus on action, and stronger character development. Because they don’t have to cater to mass audiences, they can also explore less mainstream themes.
Indeed, these days, rapid shifts in the media world and the widespread availability of streaming platforms have led many films to debut there, with significant funds being poured into them. However, before the rise of streaming, things were dramatically different. Here, we’ve highlighted ten action movies made specifically for TV that deserve attention and shouldn’t be ignored.
10 Treasure Island (1990)
If you haven’t been completely isolated from the world, chances are you’ve encountered Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless novel “Treasure Island” at some point in your life. This thrilling tale of adventure has been retold through various platforms. While the Muppets’ cinematic rendition or the 1950 film may spring to mind first, it’s important not to overlook the compelling 1990 television adaptation.
Treasure Island Stars Some of England’s Finest Acting Talent
The movie “Treasure Island” was an original production broadcasted by TNT, featuring legendary American actor Charlton Heston as Long John Silver, alongside renowned British actors Oliver Reed and Christopher Lee. In the role of the story’s main character Jim Hawkins was a young Christian Bale. Boasting an impressive lineup of stars that is seldom found in TV movies, the film garnered praise for its dedicated performances. Notably, it marked Fraser Clarke Heston’s first directing credit, who was Charlton Heston’s son.
9 L.A. Takedown (1989)
The film titled “L.A. Takedown” chronicles the relentless pursuit of police sergeant Vincent Hanna, who finds himself in a lethal game of cat-and-mouse with a gang of bank robbers led by an elusive figure. Michael Mann, riding high on the success of “Manhunter,” directed this movie. Originally conceived as a pilot episode for an NBC crime series, it was eventually transformed into a TV movie following its rejection for broadcast.
L.A. Takedown Was Remade into One of Michael Mann’s Most Revered Movies
If the storyline of the movie “L.A. Takedown” seems familiar, it’s probably because it was the foundation for Michael Mann’s later film, “Heat,” featuring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. Although “Heat” garnered much more acclaim and is often hailed as a genre masterpiece, watching “L.A. Takedown” offers a unique chance to glimpse into the early stages of Mann’s creative brilliance before he rose to become one of the film industry’s most influential directors.
8 Operation Delta Force (1997)
Movie Delta Force: This film follows a fictional elite military unit called Delta Force on a mission to capture a deadly bioweapon from a ruthless terrorist group. It’s not breaking new ground in the action movie world, but it offers plenty of battle sequences, explosions, and unexpected turns to keep viewers hooked, even if it doesn’t demand deep thought.
Operation Delta Force Has Spawned 4 Sequels
I may not have garnered any significant critical praise, but “Operation Delta Force” managed to cultivate a dedicated niche audience who admired its straightforward style within the action genre. Consequently, this led to the production of four additional films, each adhering to the same formula. If you’re seeking an entertaining, action-packed military flick that doesn’t require too much brainpower, “Operation Delta Force” is just the series for you.
Stream on Fubo
7 Death Train aka Detonator (1993)
The movie titled “Death Train” was initially broadcast on the USA Network in 1993, and it’s an action-packed disaster film. In this movie, Pierce Brosnan portrays a United Nations operative who must thwart a hijacked train carrying a nuclear bomb to save the world from imminent destruction.
Death Train Provides an Early Glimpse into Pierce Brosnan’s Future
Without a doubt, this story isn’t exactly unique, but Pierce Brosnan’s captivating performance prevents it from becoming a total flop. His charm and commanding screen presence make it crystal clear why he was selected to embody one of the action genre’s most revered figures – James Bond, a character synonymous with cinematic greatness.
6 The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (2004)
In the ’80s, the action-adventure genre reached its zenith with the iconic Indiana Jones trilogy, establishing itself as one of the most profitable action series ever. However, a void emerged in this genre after that, searching for a new protagonist to fill the shoes of the treasure hunter. That gap was finally filled when Brendan Fraser appeared as Rick O’Connell in the hit movies The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2002). With the audience craving these kinds of films once more, Toby Henshaw, aka The Librarian, made his debut in the series, The Librarian: Quest for the Spear.
What The Librarian Lacks in Budget it Makes up for in Story
As a movie enthusiast, stepping into the shoes of those who’ve delved deep into the realm of cinema, I’d say that The Librarian series took a fresh approach in the adventure genre by shifting the spotlight towards the cunning intellect of its lead character rather than his physical prowess. In this tale, we follow Flynn Carsen, a scholar extraordinaire, as he assumes the role of a librarian, but soon finds himself catapulted into an extraordinary realm of thrilling adventures and life-threatening perils. His mission: to recover a priceless artifact – a stolen spear – hidden within the library’s vast collection.
Packed with excitement and mystery, this film garnered acclaim for its innovative approach to adventure storytelling and has since spawned a thriving franchise encompassing 2 follow-ups, television adaptations, novels, and comic series.
Stream on Peacock
5 The Mask of Zorro (1974)
It’s understandable that the 1974 TV film version of “Zorro” is frequently forgotten, given the multitude of Zorro adaptations that have come about since the masked hero was initially introduced in the 1919 novel “The Curse of Capistrano.” In fact, it’s been noted that the swashbuckling avenger has graced more than forty films so far.
The Mask of Zorro Is a Direct Remake of the 1940 Film Version
The film isn’t just a reboot of the 1940 classic, it also incorporated many elements of Alfred Newman’s original soundtrack from that version. Initially conceived as a TV show pilot, ABC-TV passed on it. Made on a modest budget, the movie preserves Zorro’s essence but doesn’t offer much new to the character. Instead, it provides an enjoyable, straightforward adventure for fans of this genre and Zorro himself.
4 21 Hours at Munich (1976)
“A Tense 21-Hour Saga in Munich
21 Hours at Munich Was Critically Acclaimed
The film earned nominations for the Best Editing and Best Special – Drama or Comedy Emmy Awards, and it was highly praised by critics. Due to widespread curiosity about its topic, the movie was screened in various countries, such as Finland and Sweden, among others.
Stream on Prime
3 Sharknado (2013)
For years, SyFy has been creating debatable original films, but in 2013, they created a movie so absurdly over-the-top that it gained widespread popularity. Discussing the plot isn’t really necessary, except to say that it delivers exactly what its title promises: Tornado meets Sharks, or as you might remember it, “Sharknado.” So, let go of your expectations about scientific accuracy when it comes to sharks and tornadoes.
As a cinephile, if I were to describe “Sharknado” in my own words, it’d be like merging the thrilling chaos of “Snakes on a Plane” with the underwater terror of “Deep Blue Sea”. But here’s the twist – instead of snakes or sharks swimming naturally, they’re caught in a wild storm and end up rampaging through a city. To top it off, the special effects might remind you of a high school project on computer graphics, and let me tell you, the performance of Tara Reid, once a shining star in Hollywood, is… unique! Yet, despite all this, “Sharknado” manages to be a truly fabulous, over-the-top rollercoaster ride of a movie!
Sharknado Became a Cultural Phenomenon
It’s no shock that the outrageous plot, cheesy humor, excessive action, and dubious acting sparked lots of discussion online. This viral buzz ignited a devoted fanbase, resulting in five follow-ups, each more bizarre than the one before. The Sharknado franchise is now known for its “so bad it’s good” entertainment, earning it a permanent spot in pop culture lore as a genuine cult classic.
2 24: Redemption (2008)
24, a well-known TV series, is one of the most successful action-drama productions. It focuses on Kiefer Sutherland portraying Jack Bauer, a U.S. counter-terrorist agent, across 9 seasons that unfold over a span of 24 hours in Bauer’s life. The show is distinguished by its real-time narrative style and the seamless combination of action, politics, and serial drama, which earned it high praise from critics.
24: Redemption Is a Full-Length TV Movie Based on the Show
24: Redemption, airing between its 6th and 7th season, is a self-contained TV movie set in Africa, specifically the fictional town of Sangala, within a span of just two hours (3:00 pm to 5:00 pm). In this story, protagonist Jack Bauer takes on the challenge of halting a cruel warlord from conscripting children into his deadly militia. This nerve-wracking film received critical acclaim, boasting high viewership ratings and an impressive 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Stream on AppleTV
1 Duel (1971)
1971 saw a young Steven Spielberg at the helm of “Duel,” an edge-of-your-seat tale about a businessman who encounters a relentless and terrifying truck driver on a lonely desert road. Initially broadcast on television, this movie was met with widespread critical acclaim and is now recognized as a prime example of building tension and suspense in filmmaking.
An Alternative, Longer Version Was Subsequently Released Theatrically
Originally aired as part of ABC’s Movie of the Week on Universal Television, the movie titled Duel initially found success on television. Later, Universal considered releasing it in theaters, but the runtime of just 74 minutes was deemed too short for cinema. In response, Steven Spielberg filmed additional scenes over two days to stretch it to 90 minutes for its eventual theatrical screening.
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2024-09-29 23:32