Blue Thunder (1983) - The Best Movie You Never Saw

Welcome to The Best Movie You NEVER Saw, a column dedicated to examining films that have flown under the radar or gained traction throughout the years, earning them a place as a cult classic or underrated gem that was either before it’s time and/or has aged like a fine wine.
Based on the column created by Paul Shirey and currently written by Chris Bumbray for JoBlo.com, this video version of the column features narration by Bumbray and editing by Lance Vlcek. For our seventh episode, we take a look at John Badham's BLUE THUNDER, starring Roy Scheider, Malcolm McDowell, Candy Clark, Daniel Stern and Warren Oates. You can read the original column HERE!
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#BlueThunder #RoyScheider #TheBestMovieYouNeverSaw

[@PDeNigris]

That shot of Blue Thunder coming out of the setting sun is one of the iconic action movie moments of the 80's to be sure.

[@1SaG]

Personally, I prefer the shot of the helicopter emerging from behind the bridge during Candy Clarke's run-in with the cops... gave me goosebumps back when I watched this flick in the theatre...

[@PDeNigris]

@@1SaG Also a great one

[@90lancaster]

I like the normal flight noise and how the beats of the Helicopter blades are reflected in the music too. But Whisper mode and Turbo mode are just the bees knees. The idea they had of the Helicopter being used for crowd control is pretty scary with that canon on it. But considering the previous Olympics situation I can see how that plot point idea would arise. The TV show version has a precision sniper mode for the main gun too - so you have a Helicopter that is almost completely silent, can see through and hear through walls, and kill anywhere from enmass (including vehicles) to an individual - it really is an eye in the sky - one of them isn't a huge threat but if one analogises it to the issuance of ex-military equipment to the American Police as a regular thing now - the Movie makes some valid points. McDowell it right be have his balls drawn back to his ears with fear filming - it as the things they do in built up areas in a pre-CGI age is simply terrifying to watch as well as be in. They'd never get a permit to do that now

[@brunotulliani]

Apocalypse Now!

[@jeffstone2136]

True

[@Clonetrooper1139]

Roy Scheider never got the recognition he deserved as an actor.

[@chiefscheider]

Thanks, man...I appreciate that

[@inglesconalan5360]

He was amazingly versatile, from facing a deadly shark in "Jaws" to dancing with death in "All That Jazz".

[@RollingOrmond]

One Best Actor nomination for All That Jazz. Should've won.

[@matthewkeisling2776]

Clonetrooper1139 the Jaws sequels ruined his career. He was so good in a few movies before Jaws 2.

[@thepayne7862]

Amen to that.

[@MeppyMan]

As a helicopter pilot in a family of helicopter pilots we all loved this movie. I've watched this movie so many times since first watching it in 1983.

[@MrCarpen7er]

So, you have to be a helicopter pilot to really like Blue Thunder. But I know what you mean. My family comes from Krypton, they really love Superman!

[@krazyglue60]

Saw this in the theatre when it came out. Loved it so much I went back and saw it again the same week. Then I bought the soundtrack (on LP - this was way before CDs) and played it constantly. Still one of my favorite action movies.

[@Scdny]

Still one of my favorites! BTW, the stopwatch wasn't to relax him; it was to test the accuracy of his internal clock by timing 60 seconds without looking.

[@timmooney7528]

“Its sort of a test - I read somewhere that if you really think you’re going over the edge the first thing you lose is your sense of time. With your eyes shut you can’t tell 25 seconds from 5…” - Frank Murphy

[@johnnyfavorite1194]

The nail-biting Helicopter vs. Helicopter dogfight at the film’s finale had no precedent and remains unsurpassed to this very day.

[@AudieHolland]

The older I get, the more I appreciate stunt work and physical effects. When Blue Thunder's cannon malfunctions during the 'shoot out' scene over L.A., I only recently noticed that the other chopper responds by evading the fire then flying *underneath* Blue Thunder to get away!

[@film79]

Didn't one of the mission impossible movies have a good one? Or was that a helicopter vs a plane?

[@KurtisHall]

There is no question that that movie would not have been SO great without Roy Scheider in the lead role!

[@billslocum9819]

Love the dialogue and the way the script fills out the personalities of the minor villains, who are believably menacing because they probably believe in what they are doing. Candy Clark's character is fascinating to me, because she's an non-stereotypical ex-wife who respects Murphy's odd boundaries and helps him throughout. She definitely deserved more work!

[@alfredthegreat9543]

Roy Scheider was such a watchable actor and greatly underrated- was genuinely saddened when I heard of his passing.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Yeah… i still kinda don't believe it that he is no more…

[@CRB9000]

Only a kid who wasn't around in the 1980s would say nobody saw this movie. It was hot. Hell, I worked at Blockbluster and it was checked out often.

[@ironkcoony]

in germany early 90s the movie came 4 times a year on tv - loved it every time

[@ian2958]

@Life in the Zone absolutely ! I saw this movie first in a East-German theater - but not without having to watch a 20 min propaganda movies first, detailing how badly the US army treated their soldiers :-)

[@bigbabysld]

I have to say I have never seen this movie and I spent my teen yrs in the 80's...for sum reason I just remember the TV show with Bubba Smith that lasted 11 episodes.

[@stumpycatvm7115]

did you say disk von lazerness?

[@galaxysurfer1122]

Agreed!

[@anerd8520]

Roy Scheider is greatly missed. Thank you for this.

[@davedropd1]

for sure chief Brody & Frank Murphy!

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*The Seven Ups (1973)*

[@janosgasparin159]

This is one of my favorite 80’s movie and 80’s soundtrack

[@barryg4927]

hands DOWN!

[@MThrow]

I still have Blue Thunder on LaserDisc. Yes......I said LaserDisc.

[@MikeSmith-rh5gc]

I still have all mine

[@MrSGL21]

ha!!! i collect ld too i got it on laser disc also!

[@kd8bxp]

sometimes the only way to see the classics the way the classics should be seen.

[@regularguyfixes3142]

You need to post a video of you pulling out the LD and playing it. Show the process.

[@coolcat6303]

I still have mine on VHS but have since replaced it on Blu-ray. When I was growing up, in the early 80's, my friend's dad actually had it on the short lived RCA CED Videodisc (the laserdisc's competition). It came in a plastic shell & you actually had to flip it over half way through the movie. Ancient by today’s standards but, at the time, we thought it was cool AF. Haha. Here’s a video that shows how it works: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn3VgZhmp9yLhbc

[@TheMadmatt7]

"I hear he checks his sanity with a wrist watch!" "What do you check yours with, a dipstick?" - "You're supposed to be stupid son. Don't abuse the privilege." - and on and on. Warren Oates owned that movie.

[@davedropd1]

well said 💯% agreed....🚀....

[@formerlyknownashammerofthegods]

Sgt. Hulka.

[@tomcranks]

I did location security on Blue Thunder back when I was 22 years old. I was alone guarding the set at the yet to be operational LAPD heliport near downtown Los Angeles. Naturally I went to wardrobe, suited up and took pictures with the French Gazelle.

[@barryg4927]

that is incredible!!!

[@hankthepatriot3733]

EPIC!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@studinthemaking]

What outfit did you suite up to?

[@billybifocals]

Naturally... Captain douchebag.

[@davetaylor2088]

I loved this movie and just re-watched it on Netflix recently. Holds up better than many other movies of its day because of the acting. A good screenplay managed by great actors will get you through any humps and bumps in peripheral stuff like special effects. That's why theatre is still popular.

[@martinez1701a]

Blue Thunder was AWESOME!!! When I was a kid we used to have debates about who was better Blue Thunder or Air Wolf lol

[@ErrisSq]

Blue Thunder of course!

[@nda5150]

I vividly remember these debates

[@JasonWrightArt]

same!

[@nickoD509]

Same here! It is a funny title for this video because I saw it when it first came out.

[@ashcarrier6606]

Me too. I was the Blue Thunder advocate. My argument was that BT was a more realistic helicopter. Its helmet-guided 20mm cannon was similar to the tech on the then new AH-64 Apache gunship entering service.

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

Roy Scheider sure had some amazing movies... The French Connection, The 7 Ups, Blue Thunder, 2010 The Year We Make Contact, 52-Pickup, Last Embrace, Sorcerer, Cohen and Tate, Marathon Man, Jaws 1 & 2.

[@BarrySlisk]

Cohen and Tate is awesome.

[@bradwhitham4115]

He actually added some class to "The Punisher" too, even though both he AND Travolta in the cast couldn't quite make that the great movie it might have been.

[@mossadon]

@@BarrySlisk Cohen & Tate is such an under rated movie !

[@Whalewraith]

Last embrace was awesome, especially as I went into it without knowing anything.

[@ThePtalso]

"All That Jazz"? Some 20 years on since I watched it, from time to time, in the morning, before my coffee, I tell my bathroom mirror - "It's showtime, folks!".

[@pauljohnson3340]

I love this film. It was so well made. Roy Scheider was perfect for this role.

[@quacksackerthegreatstarfir6996]

I've watched it lots of time. Roy Scheider and Malcolm McDowell are wonderful actors. Every piece of equipment on the chopper really existed and was already in use way back in 1983

[@coolcat6303]

Everything except whisper mode. But as the director John Badham said a several yrs back…even that is now a reality. The US Army used it on their stealth helicopters in the Osama Bin Laden raid.

[@Britcarjunkie]

@@coolcat6303 I'm not sure exactly when they did it, but Hughes Aircraft changed the design of the main rotor blades on the Model 500 that eliminated the tips' ability to break the sound barrier, randering the helicopter virtually silent with normal noise on the ground. They later did it with the tail rotor blades as well. Of course, later the NOTAR came along, making the design even quieter.

[@thetruth-hl7ct]

@@Britcarjunkie Wasn't it the addition of another blade that made the made the difference in sound? Something like more blades moving slower but providing the same amount of lift?

[@leftcoaster67]

Roy was in great shape even in his 50's. Check out 2010. Great actor. He was phenomenal in The French Connection and Marathon Man.

[@piotrd.4850]

And SeaQuest!

[@christianboulay4722]

"We are going to need a bigger boat!"

[@LinkMarioSamus]

Like for mentioning The French Connection.

[@ramirovazquez1278]

and the seven ups

[@5anjuro]

William Friedkin's Sorcerer

[@lehanderjau6269]

FINALLY a good KZbin reviewer brought this amazing movie from the 80’s back to the spotlight it so deserves! Thanks for this great video and an honest review of Blue Thunder. The movie and its Soundtrack are among my favourites ever. For me, Blue Thunder has always been in the same pantheon of the first 2 Superman movies, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the Star Wars movies, Jaws, ET... it has that gravitas of all these classics from the end of the 70’s and the 80’s. Never thought that Blue Thunder had the fame it deserved so it’s great to see it here and see people who never saw it getting interested in watching it!

[@novarossi5653]

He also played a starring role in one of my favourite shows as a kid, Seaquest DSV. Hugely underrated actor.

[@laptopcommando]

Yes, I loved Seaquest too.

[@PoxyBear]

I was living in Orlando back then. I accidentally walked through the production area as they were filming downtown near Church Street Station. Didn't disrupt it but didn't realize it was Seaquest until I got where I was going.

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

Seaquest was cool, too underrated but next to giants like Star trek and B5 and Andromeda it got crushed a bit.....still it had like 4 or 5 seasons right?? so they got viewers enough to last that long eh

[@sgtpepper1138]

I was always mad they took away the science in SeaQuest, and made it all military.

[@somethingelse25]

I loved SeaQuest as well and I think they even made an animation.

[@NetworkXIII]

I saw this movie in the theater in 1983. Roy Scheider was great in everything he did, and was the perfect everyman, from Chief Brody, to Murphy, to Heywood Floyd. This was such a great 80s tech/action movie, along with Badham’s other masterpiece War Games. Thanks for making the video.

[@barryg4927]

same here...twice through in the theatre same night back to back...my dad and I LOVED IT!

[@PPISAFETY]

I'm 62 now, and when this came out, and at the time I was a cop and volunteer Paramedic. The local medical school would make the medical students ride along on the ambulance and on fixed and rotor wing medevac flights. We had a "JAFO" hat made up for them to wear on their ride-along. Almost none of them knew what JAFO meant. My favorite line in the movie is, "Did you know he checks his sanity with a wristwatch?" Reply, "What do you check yours with, a dipstick?"

[@barryg4927]

love it!!

[@menuly]

The music score in this movie is one of the best ever.

[@MotorBro78]

I've always felt Roy Scheider chose the roles that he connected with personally. I swear I've never seen a performance from him where he was struggling. It was always natural.

[@crnkmnky]

I found out about this film today, as the project Scheider took on just in case Universal had the nerve to ask him to work on _Jaws 3D._ 😸

[@Jigsaw407]

Not only did I see it countless times over the years, I also own(ed) it on VHS, DVD and now Blu-ray. Awesome movie with fantastic aerial sequences and a still very current story. In fact, I'm gonna watch it again today, thanks to your video. :D

[@cloudattack3279]

This is still one of my fave movies from the 80s. Many great scenes way ahead of its time. The chase through the canals was simply epic!

[@BadApe351]

100% agree with all you had to say about the movie and Roy Scheider. One of my all time favourite movies...and actors. Roy was wonderful. Same goes for Warren Oates. Brilliant actor. Rest in peace both of you.

[@MichaelVLang]

Like 2010 and Peter Hyams' other movies, Michael Mann as well, this had a darker natural light look that gave it realism and authenticity, and really brought you into the story. The pace was also moderate and relaxed, also contributed to the humanness. There was actual silence, and miraculously the audience had to perhaps think. The dynamics added to the action scenes too, making them more visceral and powerful. Some of these 80s movies left you feeling that you were there, and that there was importance to the story. They literally don't make em like this anymore...

[@stoogefest16]

Yeah, I tend to prefer the naturalism of action films that predate the idiom as we know it today. Sometime around the mid to late ‘90s, they became too slick and hyperbolic in a way that not even the more recent trend towards pragmatic action (e.g. John Wick, etc.) can quite offset. Overall, the conventions of the genre were more interesting before they were set in stone and before digital technology became so pervasive.

[@faithcastillo9597]

This is one of my favorite movies with Roy Scheider and Malcolm McDowell. Excellent story, outstanding cast!

[@mrzipperface8262]

Please, I'm 43, of course I've heard of Blue Thunder, what do you think I am some sort of JAFO

[@jibroniuk3604]

Mr Zipperface - LOL!!!!!! 😂

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Just Another Flying Observer ;)

[@riggermortisfpv526]

That title is fubar, Im the same age as you, I had freakin Blue Thunder toys....more like movies he never saw.

[@desjardins4]

same here, saw this and Fire Fox, bad ass jets and helicopters.

[@apexone5502]

I'm also 43 and I remember the movie as well.

[@turbofanlover]

LOVED the 80s. My kingdom for a time machine.

[@sonykroket]

God bless Roy Scheider, may the force be with him.

[@andycarr9722]

I love this movie. It's one of my favourites, and I am proud to say it's in my DVD collection also.

[@frankcatlin9311]

Whatdoyamean "never saw"??? I can quote dialogue from the heart!!

[@les4767]

I was just going to say...I wore out a VHS copy of this film!

[@palimpalim5291]

Also saw the movie. Yes, I am that old ...

[@dorientjewoller113]

I have really an issue with those KZbinrs who are using "You ever saw" or "You didn't knew", as we are stupid.

[@oubrioko]

@@dorientjewoller113 True. Each of those are KZbin encouraged clickbait tactics which are incredibly lame.

[@hairypolack]

I saw it a hundred times on hbo in the 80s

[@lightningjt1]

my father was a helicopter pilot During Vietnam and some of my best memories of time spent with him was watching Airwolf and the Movie BlueThunder we also enjoyed the TV show Tour of Duty. He would always tell me what was close to the real thing and what was Movie/TV Magic

[@AlexSDU]

You sure have a nice relationship with your dad. As for my dad, he didn't talk much during his time fighting off the Communist insurgents in the jungle of Malaya and Borneo back in the 70's til 80's. And it's not about PTSD or sometime. He just don't talk much to us kids.

[@LiveMusicOntario]

I friggin' loved Tour of Duty. I got butterflies in my stomach every time the show started, - Paint It Black music. I really felt for the characters, plus it was counter to the rah-rah war stories. It reminded me a lot of Combat! from the 60's starring Vic Morrow. The same premise; a tough but even handed veteran sergeant trying to keep his small unit safe on patrol. Maybe ask your dad if he ever read a paperback called HUEY - written by a pilot telling his personal story all the way from recruitment and training, through his tour.

[@sgtjarhead99]

I loved this movie back in the day. Especially that great opening score.

[@leeloo1967]

One of my favorite Roy Scheider movies I just cant get enough of it. I’ve seen it so many times & I still have it on VHS 😁😁😁

[@jeffmarlatt6538]

I enjoyed seeing this movie in the theatres when I was 1o years old. Roy Scheider is such a wonderful actor to watch. He was one of my all time favorites.

[@Badnone]

Long live Roy Scheider. Blue Thunder was ahead of its time.

[@DiceStrike]

Same as Last Action Hero.. It also came out for Box office at a bad time. Same week as Jurrasic Park. i guess a reboot of both films would be soo much better nowadays

[@bacongl]

Blue Thunder and Firefox were my favorite movies as a kid. Good stuff!

[@randoshus3762]

HBO and Cinemax played those movies ad nauseum...

[@robertwilson214]

Firefox was crap

[@coolcat6303]

@@robertwilson214 I disagree. Firefox really captured the feel of the Cold War. It also had a nice combination of espionage drama and cool action sequences.

[@robertwilson214]

@@coolcat6303 do you know,I haven't seen it for a while...as I love cold war films like wargames,I'm going to take back my statement and go back and watch it again.

[@O-Dini]

Seen this movie when I was 13 years old, I’m 49 now!!!! Excellent movie!!!!!

[@akeleven]

Roy Scheider. Wonderful. Saw both this and All That Jazz

[@seanmcculley]

One of my all time favorites! Saw it in the theater when it came out. Bought the record of the soundtrack (still have it). Bought the VHS, then the DVD, then the Blu-ray. Seen it a couple dozen times. Show it to anybody that will sit down and watch it with me :)

[@chardtomp]

My favorite bit of dialog in this movie and one of Warren Oats best lines ever: Mr. Iceland: "The man measures his sanity with a stop watch for God's sake!" Capt. Jack Braddock: "So, what do you measure yours with, a dip stick?"

[@kthx1138]

That was Mr. Iceland, not F.E. Cochrane, who said that.

[@BXBZ88]

"Son, I had twenty years in this outfit, when your idea of a good time was sittin' in front of the TV tube, watchin' Bugs Bunny and gnawing on your fudgcicle." Capt. Jack Braddock (Warren Oates)

[@chardtomp]

I expect you're right about that. I haven't seen this since it was in the theater but I always remembered that line!@@kthx1138

[@RollingnBodfish93518]

Or.. "When walking on eggs.... Don't hop".

[@BrandonJOlson]

@@RollingnBodfish93518 DON'T HOP!

[@DartagnanMagic]

One of my favorites. Roy Scheider was amazing.

[@Doellimann]

Blue Thunder is still one of my absolut favorites!

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

One of the First Movies that I watched In my Home Theater with my Late Mother back in the early 80's Love it

[@ericlane8555]

I saw thus in the theater opening weekend I was 13. I love this movie.

[@RollingOrmond]

I saw Roy crossing Fifth Ave. in NY in a tux in 2001. Yelled "Hey, Roy!" He turned his head a millimeter before continuing on.

[@nicktubara]

So you called out to someone who you didnt know from a bar of soap other than his movies just so you can get his attention n distract him with the chance if getting hit by a car? Really? Wow youre so cool 🙄

[@grantmiller6570]

I love Blue Thunder Scheider was great, the musical score was super cool.

[@glenbolderson2479]

Loved Blue Thunder!!! saw it in the theatre...Roy Scheider rocks!!!

[@Turco949]

The casting of this movie was awesome, from Roy S. to the bad guy played by McDowell to his sidekick Daniel S to whoever the female actor who played his old lady. The movie was ahead of his time and was really well made as I watched it multiple times years later and it was still very much enjoyable.

[@juanch6936]

I saw this in the theater when it came out and I have the DVD! Classic!

[@drivenbyrage5710]

Roy Shieder was good in 2010, the year we made contact. Another great scifi movie.

[@orionred2489]

You can't grow good hot dogs indoors!

[@charlesballard5251]

2010 was only a passable flick though. The book was so much better. Not as contrived. Very straight forward.

[@drivenbyrage5710]

@@charlesballard5251 agreed, I've read many of them, including 2063, Rendezvous with Rama among others. Arthur C. Clark is one of my favorite authors.

[@kthx1138]

Despite its Cold War overtones which date the film, I like 2010 better than Kubrick's original 2001! The characters are more colorful and funny in 2010 than the more bland, sterile characters in 2001.

[@drivenbyrage5710]

@@kthx1138 agreed, it's like the Wrath of Khan. I liked the first, but the second was great. I actually liked the conflict between the American and Russians and how it affected the mission.

[@legneil]

Roy was one of favourite actors,died to young.Nice to see a Canadian You Tuber.

[@badbirdkc]

Always one of my favorites since my childhood. I even have a framed poster hanging in my house. Saw it when it first hit HBO back in the 80s and have loved it ever since. The final battle is absolutely stunning to watch. Incredible flying and cinematography. But, yeah, blowing up that building was a bit sketchy. Otherwise, fantastic movie. I watched the TV show, too. It was basically just a vehicle themed action show without any of the movie's nuance. Like A-Team meets Knight Rider.

[@RoodeMenon]

Id love to see that poster. In school we were divided between Airwolf and Blue Thunder always arguing. drawing them in our notebooks.

[@bign3ck]

Also inspired the Sega arcade hit Thunder blade 🔪

[@michaelambrose1958]

My father, always says "do not make questions...just watch" or "...just listen". He show me movies, music...and Blue Thunder was one of THE movies of my childhood. Thanks you make that video.

[@telecleez]

I loved Blue Thunder and Mr. Scheider was one of my favorite actors. Course I also liked Fire Fox with Mr. Eastwood.

[@somethingelse25]

Yup Firefox was a great idea, and ahead of its time as far as what they thought the specs of the Russian plane would be like. It's stuff they're just researching doing these days.

[@jwnj9716]

You cant go wrong with Chief Brody. The guy kicked ass in Sorcerer too, another hidden gem.

[@weirdshibainu]

Sorcerer was a fantastic movie.

[@neilhutchinson4545]

You're certifiable, Quint, you know that? You're certifiable! One of my favourite character actor's.

[@jwnj9716]

I love the soundtrack by Tangerine Dream.

[@weirdshibainu]

@@jwnj9716 Soundtrack to the movie " Thief" with James Caan is by the dream...and its awesome

[@jwnj9716]

I love the music towards the end.

[@terryclark7640]

I was an extra on blue thunder, but I ended up on the cutting room floor. I was in a scene that had a Kiowa chasing the bt chopper between the buildings in downtown LA

[@terryclark7640]

@RedneckSpaceMan I was an extra because candy Clark, no relation, locked her keys in the car that she had to drive in the scene, I got the door unlocked and they offered the to let me do the scene in gratitude. it was really cool to see how they did things behind the scenes. that and the fact that the food was amazing from craft services.

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

+Terry Clark so basically the movie's climax... when Scheider shoots down McDowell in the Kiowa they send F16s (at least i think it was sixteens) and then he lands the chopper on traintracks to get it destroyed (this was way before BTTF3, wasn't it?) which is the end of the movie, the tape already being at the TV Station and the conspiracy uncovered, JAFO avenged. And even if you did not make your way onto the Silver Screen, it's a brilliant story you can always tell when the subjects run out.

[@coolcat6303]

That’s awesome. I’d luv to be an extra in a film someday. Btw, the chopper that McDowell flies in is actually called a Hughes 500 which was a modified civilian version of the US Army OH-6 Cayuse. The Kiowa was the military version of the Bell Ranger that Murphy & Lymangood normally flew (and crashed) in.

[@WilliamRBishop]

My favorite part of this movie is when the bad guy looks out the window and sees Blue Thunder hovering silently outside in "whisper mode"

[@NFS-shade]

Are you sure? Are you sure not that pretty nude yoga girl part?

[@coolcat6303]

@@NFS-shade That and the waitress cleavage shot were definitely highlights.

[@lynben100]

I first saw this at my hometown drive in. The drive-in speakers were terrible sound, but the big screen was great for this movie.

[@krisfranzen9046]

This was the first "R"-rated movie I saw in the theater. My brother took me, I was 12 at the time, right before PG-13 came out. Its one of my all time favorite movies.

[@thetruth-hl7ct]

Mine, too. Saw it at the drive in. The voyeur scene of the woman doing yoga nude was a game changer to my spank bank.

[@MokTheMagicMan1]

I recently watched it and was pleasantly surprised. It’s aged very well. Great review.

[@johnclarke7626]

The next time I'm suspended, so is my f***ing beeper.

[@TheKnightsShield]

Catch ya later.

[@m-catparanormalresearch5569]

No, you listen. Me police chief, you officer, me talk you listen, that's the way it's gotta be.

[@danielmankowski922]

Stop calling me Sir you sound like David Copperfield...

[@hendrsb33]

I always wondered why Malcolm McDowell looked so crazed during that final aerial dogfight... makes sense now.

[@elanthys]

Iconic movie. This soundtrack gives me chills every time.

[@charlesbrowning9748]

apparently the researcher for this video needed to dig a little deeper because he didn't mention the impact this movie had on robocop. the lead characters are both named Murphy. and the actors that played newscasters are the same in both movies.

[@renatodias7035]

How dare you. I saw Blue Thunder countless times.My VHS was destroyed by his gatling gun.

[@centurian318]

Blue Thunder can be used for crowd control! Murphy : “That’s been tried before. It didn’t work then, either.” “Where was that?” Murphy: “Vietnam,”

[@Rob-sk1im]

One of the best lines delivered by Roy, " you talking to me asshole." Without question Roy made so many great films, primarily in the 70s through the 80s. Hollywood and indie filmmakers missed the chance at casting him in some roles that he would've been perfect in. I was one of the fortunate ones who got to see his last film Iron Cross. Unfortunately this film is never found distribution.

[@mroctober3657]

The original concept of Blue Thunder was to be like Tax Driver but with a super copter where Scheider goes nuts at the end.

[@coolcat6303]

Agreed. Roy was definitely under used after the 80’s we’re over. The last time I saw him was as the dad in The Punisher movie. Really small role though. I’ll have to keep an eye out for Iron Cross.

[@crnkmnky]

​@@mroctober3657 Sounds like _First Blood_ to me…

[@AudieHolland]

The funny thing is that he points his revolver at the a-hole technician, with *bullet proof* cockpit glass seperating them. The tech probably instantly realized that he's as crazy as they come.

[@markelijio6012]

It was the summer of 1983. And filmmaker John Badham has two Oscar nominated hits on his resume: Blue Thunder and WarGames. And so does legendary producers Ray Stark and Martin Jurow and their associates were Margaret Booth and Norman Gay along with their longtime assistant since 1976 was Marietta Lee were saying that Blue Thunder was one of 1983's biggest hits. And it put them back on the map.

[@hayleycomet8029]

This is one of those comfort movies I can put on at bedtime and lay there with my eyes closed, but I can picture everything happening :)

[@olivermarijuanajones5041]

Warren Oats was a national treasure, its a damn shame that "Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia" isn't better known...

[@badder27com]

Oh my been waiting for someone else to talk about alfredo I watched it on the mark kermode reccomendation

[@RollingOrmond]

Punching Bill Murray in the gut in Stripes was classic (first use of Rubber-Band Man in a movie, before Avengers: Infinity War).

[@LiveMusicOntario]

Now talk about cult movies. :) I'm still not sure if I actually saw it or just look back and think I did.

[@erikramaekers63]

Saw it in my local cinema in 1983 and the movie did pretty well with the critics and at the box office.

[@TheNefastor]

I really like those old movies where the hero wasn't so muscular it asphixiated his brain.

[@AmericanThunder]

He was a boxer, too.

[@TheNefastor]

@@AmericanThunder that probably explains the nose.

[@MrKiwi1960]

old?????? You youngster, can go to hell. :)

[@TheNefastor]

@@MrKiwi1960 I implied no ageism and I'm over 40.

[@CatatonicImperfect]

sounds like somebody isn't very muscular :D

[@robwin0072]

JoBlo, I recall seeing this movie in college; and I was slated for flight training. When, that chopper did a 360 degree loop; an applause sprung to life that theater, with cheers and a standing ovation. And that silent mode listening scene - quite futuristic. I agree with you on this one. Also, the plot was first class.

[@steffenschiller3189]

One odd fact. In East Germany we sometimes got American films in the cinema. And "Blue Thunder"was one of them! We loved it.

[@white-dragon4424]

Probably because it showed the US government as the bad guys. It's Soviet porn!

[@DanielESmith-iz7lx]

Saw it in the theater when it came out. Still pretty cool!!

[@elijericho2229]

Me Too...

[@coolcat6303]

First rated R movie I ever saw by myself & I was only 13! Haha. I was supposed to go see “Greystoke - The Legend of Tarzan” with my family but wanted to see BT alot more. So I begged my mom to let me go see it at the multiplex. Amazingly she said yes and to this day, it’s still one of the greatest & most satisfying films i’ve ever seen in my 48 yrs.

[@barryg4927]

@@coolcat6303 saw at 13 myself...and I've seen it over and over...and it NEVER gets OLD!

[@Calbeck]

This flick has always been one of my fave action flicks from the era.

[@raulzavala9061]

I love this movie very underrated, I like how its more of a conspiracy plot and the Blue Thunder chopper is more of an added bonus, some of those L.A. skyscrapers haven't changed either.

[@barryg4927]

you NAILED IT!

[@bufanda]

One of my favorite movies of my youth. I had it on VHS, then DVD now Blu-Tay and it is one of the most viewed movies of that era in my library

[@roberthubbard1445]

one of my favorites. I saw the Blue Thunder Special flying in LA when they were filming the movie.

[@leejohnstone4663]

One of the things I love about the Blue Thunder movie is Murphy landing the helicopter on train tracks where it gets destroy by a train. In other words no sequel which shows 80s movies wasn't always made with a sequel in mind

[@eqbal321a]

I saw this film 5 times in the cinema when I was teen...loved it. I was born 1970.

[@chrismanning3911]

Me to 7/1/1970

[@eqbal321a]

@@chrismanning3911 greetings to you

[@greymack]

Totally agree, great movie and I loved that whisper mode scene 😁

[@DM-yi1ur]

I'm from 97 but this is my favourite Movie of all time and I never get tired of watching it all over again and I still have the VCD of this.

[@devonbradford9217]

I saw this in the theaters at a movie screening I won tickets to... I was 13 and i freakin' loved it.

[@himdwnstaresgaming4050]

I was from LA (Culver City) when this was out, its really a love letter to the city......awesome movie.

[@spacedigger]

Seen the movie.. only 50000 times. Love it!

[@JOECANDELA22]

Another great Warren Oates line..."If your walking on eggs, don't hop!"

[@RS-do1of]

“I like morals, I think morals are good”...

[@RCINFORMER]

"Lymangood, you're supposed to be stupid, dont abuse the privilege." Lol

[@RS-do1of]

RCINFORMER Great line! Forgot about that one.. I also remember Scheider’s face when he hears the recording of Lymangood explaining that he found out what JAFO meant. Great acting.

[@MrPingn]

Came out before my time but eventually saw it in the 90s. Loved it. Great cast. Daniel Stern deserved more roles. Roy Scheider is one of those actors I love him in pretty much everything he's in. Even SeaQuest. Shame we lost him. The helicopter was freaking amazing.

[@rmspeedy1775]

My favorite scene is the loop towards the end. The sound of the rotors just do it for me.

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

Speak for yourself m8 😉 I actually DID see that movie and loved it as a kid back in the 80's

[@fraserhenderson7839]

Best Roy Scheider movie line: "It's showtime!"

[@fraserhenderson7839]

I watched "Endgame" last night. At one point, Tony Stark reprises Roy Scheider's Joe Gideon (aka Bob Fosse).

[@kthx1138]

"Hey, amigo! Buenos dias!" "No shit, bendeyho! Hey--you gotta set that thing down, man! We got two choppers fulla SWAT guys!" "Ohhhh--it's getting real cozy up here!" "Return to base or we'll all fire! C'mon--will ya, Murphy? Alright--knock him down." (they open fire with machine guns) "Ok, amigo--how's your autorotation technique?" (Murphy unleashes hell with the 20mm cannons!)

[@DM-yi1ur]

Son of a bitch!

[@jakecarlo9950]

Hey man, this is a fantastic rundown. I loved blue thunder. Hell I loved the TV show. I named my midnight blue 2013 Hyundai Sonata, blue thunder. And Roy Scheider could pick his nose for 90 minutes and I’d watch that. But yeah, the whole rundown of the Vulnerable, the every (working)-man hero, the 70s hero… versus you know all the greasy pectorals to come… just really appreciated this man.

[@bomsbravo]

I watched this in 1994 and it was a magical experience. I'd like to thank this channel for bringing this one up.