Starflight One (1983) {Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

In the 1980s there ABC made movies to air on Sunday nights as part of their ABC Sunday Night Movie.  Now even though I was just a baby at the time of this amazing weekly event, I have seen many of the films over they years since.

One such film was Starflight One airing on February 27, 1983. This TV Movie starred two very well known TV actors Six Million Dollar Man and Fall Guy Lee Majors and Barney Miller himself Hal Linden.

Disaster films like Earthquake, Airport, Marooned and more were becoming so popular that ABC say the opportunity to capitalize on the desire for more film like these. So that is why they produced Starflight One: The Plane that Couldn't Land. Later shortened to just Starflight One.

Starflight One is the world's first "hypersonic" plane, which flies faster and higher than any other commercial jet. On it's maiden flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, a freak accident sends Starflight One out of the atmosphere and into an orbit around the Earth. With no heat shielding, limited oxygen and time running out will anyone survive? You'll have to see the film to find out!

The film is a dramatic and suspense-filled film. The special effects are pretty good for a 1980s TV movie. Hal Linden and Lee Majors are great in their roles but the supporting cast is very good as well. Included in this cast is Ray Milland (The Lost Weekend), Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street), Lauren Hutton (The Gambler), Gail Strickland (Norma Rae), Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains), Tess Harper (Tender Mercies), Terry Kiser (Weekend at Bernies) and Michael Sacks (Slaughterhouse Five).         
  
Code Red have restored this classic TV movie in 2K. The new restoration has been transferred in 1080p and is presented in 1.66:1 aspect ratio with the soundtrack a DTS-HD 2.0. This new restoration is beautiful to say the lest. There is no signs of damage to this print. It no doubt has never looked better than it does now.

Now for bonus features included on this Blu-ray. There is English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. Always a nice bonus and a new 2K restored trailer. Also a very nice little bonus feature.

I really enjoyed seeing Barney Miller and Steve Austin in space. OK so maybe they aren't these characters. But for me every time I see them, it is hard for me not to think of them. But they were so good. 

I enjoy made-for-tv movies. I love collecting them. Even though I missed a great audio commentary or other bonuses, this is still an amazing release. I am glad to have Code Red and Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of Starflight One displayed among other of my favorites.

If you love disaster films or made-for-tv movies I think Starflight One will be right up your alley. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.

 Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Kino Lorber and Code Red's Blu-ray release of Starflight One receives...