Steel - Twilight-Tober Zone

[@ChannelAwesome]

What did everyone think of Steel? Watch the new NC here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIO7p6uXfbWdj8k Watch more Twilight-Tober Zone here - bit.ly/TwilightToberZone Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome

[@trinaq]

I liked it, and despite it not having a twist, it kept me hooked throughout. "Real Steel" definitely got a lot of inspiration from this installment.

[@havdroid9769]

Day 28 waiting for the ,,G-force" movie review by the ,,Nostalgia Critic"!

[@LordGreystoke]

The ending sucked. There were no surprises or twists

[@stopreadingmyusernamebroth9090]

I actually admire the TZ episodes where mystical, dystopian, paranormal elements don’t need to be added yet still be enjoyable to watch

[@57highland]

Agree. This episode has ordinary human situations: Desperation. Foolish hope. "Steel" trying to convince the boxing bosses that his robot is still worthy and competitive, even as he's falling apart. The dire need for money (a payday). And the idea that boxing was banned isn't completely unbelievable because many people do believe that boxing is brutal and barbaric. Yet the continuing appetite to see one on one combat and punishment caused the powers that be to substitute robots for humans. And the climactic fight scene is actually a little bit scary: "Maynard" is a human playing a robot that is supposed to appear human. You really can't tell for sure if he's a robot or a human. His movements are both human and mechanical.

[@Cooe.]

A nanny state government lost so far up its butt to outright ban human boxing is pretty dang dystopian if you ask me. 🤷

[@trinaq]

Steel's upbeat attitude is admirable , despite having lost the fight, and not having enough money for a new boxing robot. He's optimistic, and estimates that they could eventually buy new parts for the real Maxo, and that they'll be soon back on their feet.

[@havdroid9769]

Day 28 waiting for the ,,G-force" movie review by the ,,Nostalgia Critic"!

[@Raximus3000]

The message kinda feels incomplete in my opinion. "Portrait of a losing side, proof positive that you can't outpunch machinery. Proof also of something else: that no matter what the future brings, man's capacity to rise to the occasion will remain unaltered. His potential for tenacity and optimism continues, as always, to outfight, outpoint and outlive any and all changes made by his society, for which three cheers and a unanimous decision rendered from the Twilight Zone." That is only half of what makes humans great, the other is our capacity to inovate. If he had tried any "tricks" to even or endure better the fight it would make the message more inspirational.

[@mmorpgal4229]

This feels like a VERY early example of a cyberpunk story.

[@SilviaLikesCherries]

Pre-cyberpunk?

[@trinaq]

I can't believe that we only have two more reviews left for this year. I hope that Walter will eventually cover other classic anthology series, namely "Tales of the Crypt", "Outer Limits" or "The Night Gallery."

[@jordanhunter3375]

I can't help wondering how they will cram 32 episodes into a 31 day month next year.

[@F1989C]

And Boris Karloffs Thriller Show💯💯

[@christophertheriault3308]

I'm hoping for Night Gallery, seems like the most logical follow-up

[@Jenny_Metzelar]

Unfortunately he probably won't after what he said at the end of this year's bat may

[@legorocketraccoon8297]

@@jordanhunter3375 My guess is that he'll just do 31 next year and then the final one the year after before starting with the reboots of the Twilight Zone.

[@Morgil27]

I found it intriguing that Steel was more concerned with using the money to get home and fix the robot than for treating his own severe injuries.

[@OtisMcNuttIII]

One of my favorites! The film Real Steel is based on this episode as well.

[@shenloken2]

The first two episodes of season 5 were all about making sacrifices. In Praise of Pip was about a father sacrificing his life for his son. Steel was about a former heavyweight sacrificing his pride, dignity and possibly even his life to give his outdated robot another spark of life of its own. Both are excellent heart warming episodes where you greatly sympathize with the main characters. Their sacrifices really get to you! But what follows next is a legendary episode! One I think most of us have been waiting for all this Twilight Tober! This is gonna be a trip!

[@BlueHoursProductions]

Remains one of my all-time favorites. When I was a kid, I watched this and thought that, when Steel decides to fight in Maxo’s place, he was doing it out of braggadocio. But as I watch it as an adult, I think I got it all wrong. Lee Marvin’s character may put up some bluster, but I think he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s going to take a horrendous beating. Yet he does it anyway, not because of the money, but because of what that money would do- repair Battling Maxo. Because, while Steel Kelly is not a complex or terribly smart man, he’s courageous and loyal to a fault. He doesn’t look at Maxo as a machine- he looks at him as a friend, and he refuses to abandon him, even when it would be the best thing to do. Anyway, just my two cents. Glad to have discovered this content!

[@JackKirbyFan]

I'm glad he gushed over this because, I too thought it was one of the best of the series. Just brilliant. I love the ending how our protagonist fashions a fairy tale for himself because he can't face the reality around him. It just so human to express that as we all fail to see our own expiration date.

[@57highland]

Yes, a pretty universal theme. Steel's desperation. His trying to convince the promoters that his robot is still competitive. His "one way out" decision to get into the ring with "Maynard Flash." His fixation on the payoff. The reality that the payoff was short. All that stuff really happens to people.

[@jamesdrynan]

Another winner from writer Matheson. Solid acting by Mantell and Marvin. Lee's voice is remarkable.

[@philarmstrong3765]

These triumph-of-the-human-spirit TZs are always among the best. Serling was to imaginative TV as Harryhausem was to stop-motion.

[@maxhunke5166]

Tomorrow he’s doing Nightmare at 20,000 feet. This is going to be good.

[@shainewhite2781]

The episode, as well the Short Story of the same, would be the basis for the Hugh Jackman Sci Fi Sports Film Real Steel.

[@BeyondInfinity_XD]

My father who is a Twilight Zone fan never forgot this episode and always talks about it…

[@TheLastBabyMan]

'Til the roof comes off, 'til the lights go out, 'til my legs give out, can't shut my mouth, til the smoke clears out, am I high? Perhaps, I'ma rip this sh*t 'til my bones collapse.

[@wstine79]

It's interesting seeing Lee Marvin in a non drunk Western role. The fighting robots were pretty cool. I can see where Real Steel got the inspiration from.

[@owenschnitzler9340]

Clearly you have never seen The Big Red One. My favorite WWII film

[@AdamaSanguine]

Delta Force (Lee Marvin - Chuck Norris)

[@DarkwingDude-f8w]

@@AdamaSanguine The Dirty Dozen, Point Blank, Prime Cut, Gorky Park, The Killers... Marvin had a ton of good performances on his resume...

[@57highland]

The fighting robots were pretty scary. They looked exactly like what they were supposed to be: a human playing a robot playing a human.

[@m.lanzoni9306]

Twilight Zone's Steel inspired 2010's Real Steel. I had no idea about that until now. Thanks, Doug.

[@randalgraves6979]

👀 these are Walters videos.

[@ruggiebuggie3195]

Richard Matheson was such a huge influence. Any sci-fi or horror fan who doesn’t know him is missing out. He’s got so many famous stories under his belt. I Am Legend, The Shrinking Man, Prey (the one with the killer tribal doll), Duel (yes, the one with the truck), Nightmare at 20,000 Feet. Stephen King called Matheson his biggest influence as a writer.

[@elmermedina1713]

And he got to work with him. I would've loved to work with Rod Serling's

[@SnowdropHill]

This is the one episode I really wish had been in season 4 and an hour long. I love its concept, and the dynamic between the two lead characters. It had such potential, and I really wanted to see the story go somewhere rather than just end on "Oh well, maybe next time." I mean, there isn't even a twist in this one unless you count the decision to fight in the robot's place as one. I just wanted to see something come out of this very compelling and unique plot.

[@BelcherKendric-vn7ke]

Originally each episode was supposed to be an hour which means seasons 1,2,3, and 5 would have been half as long. If you had to choose half the episodes of those seasons to be longer which would you choose ?

[@thealchemist51]

Steel is a solid episode of the twilight zone. Sure it really doesn’t have a twist. It doesn’t have much of an emotional like the last episode. But from beginning to end, I enjoyed it. It’s an interesting concept. I think the actress did a pretty good job. I actually would think I would give it another watching the future. It wouldn’t be my first pic, but if it was on I would check it out.

[@trinaq]

I agree, not all episodes should have major twists, but it was compelling to watch, and even inspired "Real Steel", several decades later.

[@Gojiro7]

wait, what even was the twist? its said he has an idea how to get them back home and pay for repairing their robot.....did walter leave that part out or is that actually left ambiguous???

[@TramiNguyen-oi3kp]

I love this The Twilight Zone episode!

[@weareallbronies9031]

Only 2 days left of twilight tober zone 2023.

[@EverSinceMyExorcism]

Those glossy black eyes always creeped me out. Great episode. Love tough guy Lee Marvin.

[@ztyran]

Steel is one of those Twilight Zone episodes with no real twist. I mean, Steel WINNING the match would've been a twist.

[@Enevan1968]

Or the other fighter also being a human...

[@ztyran]

@@Enevan1968 Good point!

[@57highland]

No twist, that's true, but a definite climax. And "Maynard Flash" is pretty scary. A human playing a robot and appearing to be half robot, half human.

[@ztyran]

@57highland Again, true, but I feel that in episodes like this, the twist segment should be dropped since there is none.

[@claytonrios1]

I almost think Real Steel based part of it's plot off of this Twilight Zone episode. Or it's just a very odd coincidence.

[@Sovreign071]

According to Wikipedia, Real Steel (2011) is technically based on Richard Matheson's short story. Distinction without difference, imo.

[@trinaq]

It was very loosely based on this episode, so it was definitely somewhat intentional on the filmmakers's parts.

[@claytonrios1]

​@@trinaqTo be fair the robot fights in that film still hold up 10 years later.

[@anubusx]

I definetly think it is.

[@Regfife]

Now we need another adaptation called "Fake Steel".

[@charliejenkins3211]

I can’t believe that a twilight zone episode is what one of my personal favorite movies was based on, I prefer the cool robots in the movie, but it’s definitely interesting to see finally where that concept came from

[@kelleyceccato7025]

"Ooh, here comes Lee Marvin! He's ALWAYS drunk and violent!" It's a treat to see him as a likable character, although he's still pretty violent.

[@antonmassopust568]

Once again another great story that I saw on a marathon really really good I like the idea of the federal replacing the robot and sort of the broken down athlete Lee Marvin is a really good actor

[@nsr60ster85]

Season 5 came after two high-profile fatalities in the ring during the early '60's had led to calls to ban boxing. There was also the question of whether man would remain superior to his own creations as they evolve, a debate that persists in the age of AI.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

You guys never dissapoint!😊😊😊❤❤❤❤

[@philipportelli7700]

If wasn't that Steel wouldn't give up! It was that he COULDN'T give up! Boxing was his entire life and he would fight until the end!

[@ringkunmori]

I didn't realize Real Steel was based on a Twilight Zone episode. I knew it wasn't original, but I did not expect it to be sourced from Twilight Zone.

[@Torgo-and-the-Lucifer-Cat]

Nice review lot of levels in this episode including Man versus machine the over the hill athlete and of course the human spirit fighting even though it knows that the cause is lost❤

[@ebbderelict]

"You're gonna help me... or I'm gonna beat your brains out." I love the delivery of that line. I used it in one of my songs. Straight out of the story too.

[@averageant7173]

Can’t believe they made a full length film based on this episode

[@SeenAGreatLight]

It's strange but wonderful to see Lee Marvin in a more intelligent, almost noble role after watching him as the brutish Liberty Valence!

[@philarmstrong3765]

And let us not even apesk of 'Paint Your Wagon.' Ever, PLEASE!

[@ricardomartinez8430]

Honestly was expecting a “robet” clip at the end

[@feathero3]

Every time I watch this episode, I always have hope and wish so hard for Steel to win, even though I already know the outcome. Maybe if I truly believe, like in "The Big Tall Wish," one of these days when I watch this episode the outcome will change.

[@melissacooper8724]

I wonder if they would resort to robots boxing instead of humans. The closest thing I saw was the bop em sock em robots!

[@wheekwarrior1406]

Battlebots is very popular.

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

The famous Twilight Zone episode was likely to be the genius inspiration for the popular Marx toy, which immediately arrived for the 1963 Christmas shopping season, amongst everything Beatles that the kids asked Santa Claus for. And that "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots toy of yore lives on in popularity and availability to this day, sans the Marx Toys brand name. I might just get me one.

[@majinsole8554]

This was awesome. Love fighter stories in general, so a TZ spin on that is pretty great. ~_~

[@romanramirez7847]

Another one of my favorite episodes. Lee Marvin and Joe Mantell are fantastic in this episode, and put on some truly amazing performances. The story is great and the effects and pacing are top notch.

[@nvm9040]

I liked this one whenever I saw it on I think SYFY but i need to rewatch it to see if my opinion changed because it’s a interesting concept

[@MCDexpo]

I definitely look forward to next year since you'll be covering "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", my personal favourite episode

[@theplan-m6c]

I remember that movie. It was pretty good.

[@George-kz5hb]

It’s amazing how many gems are this late in the series.

[@NATTURALIE]

So good so good

[@harsyakiarraathallah2222]

I also Love Real Steel!

[@PHXDOG]

This is a great episode of TZ. Always liked to see it when it came on. Lee Marvin was a favorite of my Dad's so it was a great episode he and I can watch together. As soon as Real Steel came out I said it was a Blend of this TZ Episode, The Champ and Transformers.

[@pavo1394]

If you listen closely to the jeering of the crowd as Lee Marvin is wheeled out of the place, you can hear someone shout, "Get that piece of shit out of here!" I've always been shocked how the censors missed that.

[@maxon-m3c]

I was about to post that here, but found this comment. Good catch! I caught it years ago!

[@RalphIrvine]

Great review

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Robot Rocky !

[@clintbrew]

I was thinking rocky cus of the mention of Philadelphia (where rocky was filmed) plus the fact "Steel" lost his match similar to rocky losing his match in the first film, I was also thinking about the Hugh Jackman film real steel before Walter mentioned it

[@jakk2631]

Remember sing watching and enjoying this episode

[@thesuntitan]

I have a huuuge soft spot for this one, there’s something about the “man versus machine” trope that really clicks with me, especially when the story tries to emphasize both the fragility and resilience of the human body

[@julieporter7805]

This was a good episode with a potentially future possibility.

[@milestrombley1466]

Twilight Zone's Real Steel.

[@oranmccann2476]

This reminds me of that one episode of The Simpsons

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Snowball 5

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Great episode

[@519djw6]

*Thank you for posting this. I was really looking forward to Lee Marvin's performance, as well as that of Joe Mantell. In Marvin's case, he was one of the few "A-List" movie actors to star in "The Twilight Zone;" and in Mantell's case, I was looking forward to a performance of a supporting character whose earliest appearance that I remember was as the best friend of the eponymous character of "Marty," the "Best Picture" of 1955, which also won Ernest Borgnine the Oscar for "Best Actor" for the year 1955.*

[@pepito2847]

I still can’t get over the fact that an old black and white episode of Twilight Zone has the same concept idea for the Hugh Jackman movie Real Steel

[@TheCreepypro]

a neat idea done well

[@polterghost_]

I recommend watching Megalo Box anime. There are similiar themes there but its about people fighting in exosuits and one guy who fights without it.

[@dancepiglover]

You could say... he had balls of steel.

[@tommyfishhouse8050]

Will you be covering the 1980s reboot next year? I'd love to hear your hot takes on the screenwriters and behind the scenes drama on that. Two words. Harlan Ellison.

[@lowrider993]

Ah real steele did make me think of this episode

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I know a guy who got to be an extra in that movie

[@youngThrashbarg]

Simpsons also did a version on this. Robot wars style.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Great episode

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Futurama did too

[@orzelgryf]

I haven't see this episode, I was trying to guess a twist and I was sure that main hero will win the fight, only to find out, that the second "robot" was a human in disguise too. :D

[@behindthescenesphotos5133]

Boxer Davey Moore's death following a televised boxing match in March 1963 resulted in calls for boxing to be outlawed and the redesign of an in-development boxing game, to dehumanize the boxing characters. The human-looking boxers were replaced by robots; Rock `Em Sock `Em Robots were released the following year. This episode (based on Matheson's earlier story) aired between Moore's death and the release of the toy.

[@richewilson6394]

I think this episode would've been better if they lean on the fact that they were just machines and didn't have a soul. That there was a moment of kinship between fighters that the robot makes into the ring just b4 Lee Marvin gets beat or taps in to fight until he is beaten to the point he blows up.

[@Sojoboscribe]

It would be a cute idea, but that would require the robot to have a lot more autonomy than the one they used. It doesn't look like the robot has the ability to move distances on its own, which is why they wheel it around or run until its program is started. So, for it to pull a Jhonny 5 and come to life would be the kind of metaphysical stuff this episode was trying to avoid.

[@richewilson6394]

@@Sojoboscribe yeah I get it but that's what would make it even more twilight zone, having the impossible become possible.

[@Melvinshermen]

So in way real steal is remake of twilight zone epsiode.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Underrated movie

[@benthomason3307]

While it may be tempting to laugh at just how bad the robots are in terms of practical effects, consider for a moment that Rod Serling actually has to go out of his way to explain what an android even _is_ at the start of the episode.

[@tonys9102]

This episode will probably resonate more in a few years, when AI starts to really take over... As always, excellent overview and I look forward to your final installments for this month/year.

[@doubledamn2599]

I just noticed, but when did he stop saying 'Twilight-Tober Zone'?

[@MforMovesets]

Strangely feels like the continuation of that other episode where a robot is used to cheat at sports. Didn't it even end with a boxing related cliffhanger?

[@BelcherKendric-vn7ke]

You mean The Mighty Casey, it ended with a new robots to comprise a team.

[@BelcherKendric-vn7ke]

This has a good plot but should have been a season four episode to have more scenes of boxing. November 5th 2023 4:07 PM Central Time

[@sarysa]

This one was pretty good, but I have a soft spot for the original aged boxer TTZ story. It's funny how they contrast as well: The original's downfall was a lack of confidence. This one's was overconfidence.

[@mashu_sukotto]

Real steel

[@yoda908]

Real Steel was also based on the Rockem Sockem robots. Just look at the design of the main robot. The movie even had a scene when the bot did an uppercut and took of the head just like the game.

[@prince_sylex]

I was thinking Megalo Boxing too

[@rezaqalam482]

Yes But megalo box is the remake cyberpunk versions of ashita no joe

[@aidanhever3369]

Speaking of the Hugh Jackman movie, I was about to say that.

[@louisduarte8763]

Now I want to watch "Real Steel" again. And watch The Nostalgia Critic review it. Any time I hear the name "Lee Marvin", I hear Homer Simpson seeing him in "Paint Your Wagon": "Thank God! He's always so drink and wild!"

[@goldenfiberwheat238]

Reel steel was based off a twilight zone episode? Even 10 years ago, Hollywood was out of new ideas

[@Nasser851000]

Not to be confused with the movie XD

[@PepsiMann2009]

The one with Huge Actman?

[@Nasser851000]

@@PepsiMann2009 And Shaquille O Neal

[@mutalord]

wait, the episode ends with him saying he has a plan and the plan never revealed?

[@kilroywashere513]

I didn’t know that real steel movie was based on this episode😳🤯🤔.

[@TheWallace6969]

i may be nitpicking but nobody noticed blood on the ring mat?

[@MinutesFromVegas]

I always had a theory he was one of the original prototypes for the robots. Explains why he took a beating from a machine for three minutes and didn't die.

[@G_Okr]

Still waiting for the "April and the Extraordinary World" review.

[@olsongc8422]

What was the twist?

[@MarioCaez]

Wait no Hugh Jackman?

[@01eksii]

I cant believe you didnt mention funny robot movie from two thousands

[@6catalina0]

The Twilight Zone Steel episode is about becoming dated and of no or little use in life, or at work. This is what each person goes through when they get old. This is why Steel is so emotionally relavent. Twilight Zone is a thinker’s Science fiction just as the original 1960’s Star Trek and Ray Bradbury’s science fiction novels The Illiterated Man and The Martian Chronicals are.

[@LordGreystoke]

The ending stinks

[@GoatOfTheWoods]

Why are they all sweaty?

[@marioboi323]

Mr walker, I wanna have a chat with you about your review on the fnaf movie. You definitely don’t understand the difference between a thriller and a horror film

[@kuba70834]

I wonder if Walter end the series next year? Last season has 36 episodes, and if my count is correct next year will cover all episodes, but the last one.

[@mudvalve]

I… don’t…know. As much as I like the Twilight Zone, the movie Real Steel was pretty darn good!

[@traceybriscuso4333]

Teagrspezz❤😅xterra

[@christopherntambi9990]

Heyyy

[@CommanderOfTheSun]

Wait so what was the twist? You said they came up with a plan to get home and fix the robot... what was it?

[@CodingAbroad]

Not much of a twist 😕

[@plasticweapon]

there is no twist. so what? do you have to have one every time?

[@valfed6824]

Oh, man, I always thought "Real Steel" was based on Rock'em Sock'em Robots