Uncovering the Surprising Links Between 1979’s Captain America and Today’s MCU!

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It’s uncertain at this point how many more “Captain America” movies will be produced within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, its current film, “Captain America: Brave New World,” is performing well at the global box office and garnering positive responses from fans, despite mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 80% audience score, indicating that it’s as engaging as any superhero movie can be. The fourth installment continues the storyline from “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” focusing on Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie) as he investigates a conspiracy involving President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford).

Prior to this, viewers had enjoyed three movies centered on Captain America, played by Chris Evans as Steve Rogers. The initial film was relatively mild, but the second one ramped up the tension with the introduction of the Winter Soldier. The third movie delved into an internal conflict within the Avengers. Following their victory over Thanos, Rogers opted to retire and be with his beloved Peggy Carter. However, there’s speculation about whether he might be called back for one final mission. Chris Evans seems to believe that won’t happen. If you’re interested in more of Steve Rogers on the big screen, you could explore the less-known 1979 television film, Captain America, which shares some connections with the current Marvel universe.

‘Captain America’ Follows the Rise of a Reluctant Hero

Rod Holcomb, renowned for helming episodes of shows like Battlestar Galactica, The Equalizer, Street Blues, ER, Lost, and The West Wing (and more), was assigned the role of translating Captain America’s tale onto the silver screen. This project, commissioned by CBS, features Reb Brown as Steve Rogers, a former Marine who has long been overshadowed by his father – a celebrated government agent known for his courage, ingenuity, and patriotism, earning him the moniker “Captain America.” However, espionage is a perilous profession, so one day, the senior man meets an untimely end.

Rogers appears unfazed by his father’s demise, preferring to explore the countryside and earn a living through art. His van serves as his primary dwelling and focal point of life. Despite occasional enigmatic interferences from the outside world, Rogers remains confident that he will continue sketching on any available paper. The narrative of his father serves as inspiration for him to create a superhero embodying quintessential American values. However, tranquility is abruptly disrupted when someone attempts to assassinate him, leaving him gravely wounded.

In an attempt to save Roger, Dr. Simon Mills (Len Birman), a close friend of the elderly man, decides to give him an experimental serum called FLAG (Full Latent Ability Gain). Despite his apprehension about Rogers’ fate, he remains hopeful. As time passes, not only does Roger recover but also starts exhibiting extraordinary abilities, such as increased strength and agility. Overjoyed by this turn of events, Dr. Mills becomes convinced that Roger can become a real superhero and designs a costume for him based on his sketches.

Now, Rogers starts utilizing a vehicle transformed into a Captain America-style mobile suite, equipped with a state-of-the-art motorcycle. This motorcycle boasts rocket propulsion and a stealth mode that silences all noise, much like Batman’s. It also has an extendable wing for flight capabilities and a detachable windscreen that functions as Rogers’ protective shield when he is on foot. Equipped and ready, Rogers targets a villain planning to annihilate a neighborhood in Phoenix with a neutron bomb.

The Comics Serve as the Bridge Between the 1979 Captain America Movie and the MCU

At first glance, Reb Brown’s portrayal of Steve Rogers might seem amusing, but he was actually a trailblazer for the character of Captain America. In the CBS TV movie, fans were introduced to Rogers as an artist. This talent found its way into the comic series Captain America (Vol 1) #237, which was released in 1979. Further exploration in publications like The Adventures of Captain America revealed that Rogers had studied Fine Arts, specializing in illustration, during the 1930s. Before joining Project Rebirth, he worked on the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Arts Project. The MCU acknowledged this by mentioning in a later production that Rogers attended the Auburndale Art School, as seen briefly in Captain America: The First Avenger, where Rogers can be observed drawing a trained monkey.

Subsequently, it’s worth noting that prior to the 1979 film, Captain America (Steve Rogers) didn’t own a motorcycle. The intriguing backstory of his motorcycle was introduced in the Captain America (Vol. 1) #259 (1981), where writers Jim Shooter and David Michelinie crafted a unique origin. In this comic, a young man whom Rogers had saved from a criminal gang constructed a custom high-performance motorcycle for him as a token of gratitude. This vehicle subsequently became synonymous with the superhero’s persona.

In the movie “Captain America: The First Avenger,” an upgraded bike from 1942, specifically a Harley-Davidson WLA “Liberator,” makes its appearance. This motorcycle, enhanced by Howard Stark and the Strategic Scientific Reserve, is what Captain America uses to sneak into HYDRA headquarters. Equipped with gadgets, he manages to eliminate a HYDRA squadron. Later, in “The Winter Solider,” you can see a replica of Captain America’s World War II motorcycle on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Although Rogers doesn’t use the bike in his later escapades, he continues to harbor a fondness for motorcycles, and in the first “Avengers” movie, he is seen using a 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail for personal purposes.

Rod Holcomb’s ‘Captain America’ Is Weak, But It’s a Product of its Time

Captain America isn’t a remarkable film, it’s above average. The character appears somewhat cartoonish and lacks an intimidating presence, yet villains somehow fear him. His costume resembles that of a racer more than a superhero, which is unfortunate. Adding to this, he wears a helmet that looks like a racer’s instead of a more fitting superhero design. The shield also fails to impress as it’s supposedly indestructible, yet no reason for this invincibility is ever provided. Worse still, making the white circles transparent so the shield can function as a motorcycle windscreen seems counterproductive.

Furthermore, the action scenes are comical and the plot lacks significant global implications, leaving the film dull. Unlike the neighborhood Spiderman, Captain America is not a local hero; he tackles significant missions. However, this portrayal seems devoid of any prior combat training, a role that could be filled by law enforcement officers more effectively. With improved special effects and clever humor, the movie could have rivaled the 1966 Batman series. Regrettably, it lacks humor as well.

Even though Captain America is a creation of its era, it’s important to note that live-action superhero movies prior to this particular Marvel movie, such as Superman: The Movie, weren’t particularly ambitious. Directors at the time primarily focused on the basics, with films like the ’70s Doctor Strange serving as examples. Given the limited options available, superhero fans were undoubtedly delighted. However, this film will always be revered for its groundbreaking impact on the Marvel franchise, both in the comics and on screen.

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2025-02-22 19:04