'70s Class: Black Sunday (1977)

 Well, it shows you just how much worse the Super Bowl could have been, Chiefs fans.  This is 1977's Black Sunday, the Film Adaptation of the Book of the same name.  The Plot involves an elaborate plan to attack said Super Bowl...albeit Super Bowl XI.  Of course, due to shooting schedules, they use footage from Superbowl X and the Orange Bowl.  Amusingly, the Players in that game had to dress up as the other Teams to be extras.  There's also a strange bit involving the Production hiring people from The United Way as Extras, paying for it by making an ad for them.  I guess that works,  but don't they take credit cards?  A couple of things to note here, of course, as well.  The Book is by Thomas Harris, making it one of only 2 Books not related to Hannibal Lecter by the Author.  The other one- Cari Mora- just came out in 2019, so this is also the one Film Adaptation of a Harris Book not to feature the iconic killer.  Given a look at the Critics' Reviews, it probably will stay that way!  We've got a bunch of big-time '70s Stars on board for this one too.  Robert Shaw- who also narrated the aforementioned ad-, Bruce Dern and Fritz Weaver are here to lend some gravitas.  On that same subject, we have John Williams doing the Score!  Clearly, THIS is the Film with John Williams' Score and Robert Shaw that everyone remembers.  Stupid Shark.  The Movie is tied to alot of current/recent events of the time that may not be *as remembered* today.  It relates to the thankfully-now-dormant Black September group.  Remember them?  No Googling it- I'll know!  Will this dated aspect make the Film dated or can it rise above that?  To find out, read on...

In November of 1977, bad guys are plotting an attack on the United States.

It hinges upon an Female Israeli Spy and a Vietnam Vet with PTSD (and blimp experience).

A Commando Raid- led by Robert Shaw- takes out most of the players, but not before certain things are put in motion.

On top of that, Shaw sees the Spy in the Shower and doesn't kill her.

This allows her to escape and keep the plan going, meeting up with the Vet (Bruce Dern).

Him building this boat will come into play later, of course.

They test a version of the bomb they are going to use for the plan.

This kills the Captain (who transported their plastic explosives) and nearly kills Shaw.

A failed attempt on Shaw's life leads to his cohort dying (see the Stinger).

Elsewhere, the would-be Terrorists use a new version of the bomb, killing one man and wrecking a nice shed.

That said, they make some nice moon light holes for it.

Things take a turn as Dern is taken off of the Blimp Job (as he stopped working to prepare the explosive).

It is here that he gives a genuinely-strong (and demented) monologue.  Good stuff, Mr. Dern.

It all comes to the big attack on the Super Bowl, which is full of people.  Remember how that looked?

In spite of the pair's best efforts, Shaw puts a stop to the attack by shooting them both.

After that, his Obvious Stunt Double hooks the Blimp to the Helicopter and leads it out to Sea.
Sorry to all of the Miami fish out there.  The End.

A strong, tense Film.  It is interesting to see what Thomas Harris wrote before he created Lecter.  Honestly, it's pretty damn good.  To be fair, I am only rating the Film, which was adapted.  Joy- I need *more* Book to Film Comparisons to make!  The Story is strong and is anchored by a good villain-hero comparison.  On one side, Shaw is a strong-willed, brash and assertive commander.  On the other side, you have a strong-willed, deadly and manipulative villain.  One man leads a force to keep people safe from an attack, while the other manipulates a man with serious PTSD into building a bomb!  Bruce Dern is definitely a bad guy here, but they really make you feel for him.  He was a POW and then came back to a broken home.  There's a very odd bit where they talk about how POWs are often 'stricken' with hirer rates of impotence and 'becoming homosexual.'  Thanks, 1970s!  I'd love to know the Science behind that.  Dated Psychology aside, he delivers a strong performance that makes you almost root for him at times...before you realize that he wants to kill 80,000 people.  In contrast, the woman manipulating him is given a quick bit of backstory to explain her being part of Black September, but that's it.  No subtext or motivation for you, lady!  The build-up to the climax is nicely-done and the actual pay-off is pretty successful.  Given that the Film was made in 1977, the Optical Effects are...less than stellar at times.  John Frankenheimer used a real Goodyear Blimp for as much as he could, so that stuff looks real (since it was).  All in all, Black Sunday is a Film most famous for its Poster, but a good Film does hide under there.  It also gives us this kind-of goofy face of death...

Next time, I cover an '80s Film about a Supercar.  It also features a climax that is very familiar.  Stay tuned...