Customer Reviews

Birds of Prey

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of the integral pieces of this film is the 1940's music soundtrack. For example, Harry Walker's (Jansen) favorite song is "Three Little Fishies". At one point in the chase, he can be seen singing along with the record. In this travesty of a DVD, he's singing along to some xylophone solo. Until somebody "fixes" the DVD, I'll have to stick with my home recording that KABC hacked up to fit in the commercials.

My only disappointment with the this DVD is that the original soundtrack music has been altered (I will assume for licensing purposes). This results in two anomalies: the soundtrack is out of sync in some portions of the film and the first-time viewer of this film may wonder why the main character is waving his hands in 2 of the film sequences. The flight sequences (stunt flying) will be appreciated by any helicopter pilot; however, I miss the original music. If I could buy an un-altered copy I would gladly do so.

One of the most interesting aspects of the original was that the WWII veteran used a lot of swing band jazz titles as dialogue, which wasn't as corny as it sounds when coupled with the flying action and the matching WWII era song soundtrack. Why would they undo that?

I didn't catch this movie is its original TV run in 1973 but instead saw it on a local re-run in 1978. (It was also one of the first things I ever recorded on my new--and hyper-expensive--Panasonic VHS recorder.)

I was touched by the movie's theme about a man who, wistful for his days as a World War 2 fighter pilot in the Flying Tigers, slogs along as a chopper pilot doing traffic reports for a radio station.

Suddenly, witnessing a bank robbery in progress, he has a chance to become a hero again. The Hero As Wounded Romantic is a role that David Janssen played to perfection, as anyone who has seen HARRY O will agree.

As the young woman taken hostage by the bank robbers, Elayne Heilveil very nearly steals the movie from the rest of the cast, and I'm disappointed that she didn't seem to do that much after making this movie.

One thing I found annoying was the fact that some of the music in the original run was replaced by some other stuff, probably because of clearance difficulties. In particular, the original ended with a poignant rendition of "I'll Get By" playing over the end titles; that's been replaced by a much less touching instrumental.

As far as the digital transfer is concerned, it's not terrible, but it's not that great either. Also, there are brief biographies of Janssen and co-star Ralph Meeker, but nothing about Heilveil.

I was looking forward for so long to seeing this terrific movie again. I saw it when originally presented in '73 and loved it.
When the saw that the disc was out I was all over it. Imagine my dismay when I found that they deleted the original soundtrack. It ruined the movie for me. Sure the action sequences are good - and Jansen is at his best - but without the original music it's nothing.
Avoid this version until they correct the travesty. How much could Three Little Fishies cost anyway?

I remembered this movie for years and was excited to see it on DVD. Unfortunately they changed the soundtrack and that's too bad. But the movie is very exciting and some of the best helicopter flying you'll ever see in the movies.

i watched it today and i was disappointed that the songs had been changed, the dialog seemed different, it even seemed to be missing a flying sequence.

I remember seeing this movie as a child and couldn't wait to get it on tape. I recorded it years ago on VHS from TV with the correct soundtrack "Little Fishies" song. I got it prerecorded on VHS in the 80's and was disappointed to find the soundtrack had been altered for no apparent reason as described in other reviews. I just ordered this DVD version even though the soundtrack is apparently still altered...it is still a very good David Janssen movie and a classic action film from 70's TV (I believe it was a made for TV movie). Great story line and helicopter chase sequences, the ending is still a heartbreaker (I'll not give it away!). If you've never seen this, it is definitely worth the price and I'm glad I've found it available on DVD. If you've seen it before and don't think you want it with the altered soundtrack, it is still worth the price as it is a great movie...I think at this point the original version is probably lost forever...except for those of us lucky enough to have recorded it off TV and still have our old VHS tapes!

Luckily I have never seen the original version of this movie so I never missed "Three Little Fishes"?
I enjoyed it though very much !!

Would have liked the storyline to have been a little more developed. It relies a bit on flashbacks to fill it out. Only so much possible in an helicopter I suppose ! Still I'd have liked to have seen development of relationship with girl- There was opportunity for that at the end. It all ended a bit too soon for me. I was wanting it to go on. David Janssen was absolutely fine, & wanted to carry on watching him. Sadly that was not possible in film or real life.