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Airwolf Season Three DVD boxset
02/08/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
Region 2 DVD: pub: Universal 824 948 3. 6 DVDs 16 hours 50 minutes 22 episodes with no extras. Price: £15.98 (UK) if you know where to look). stars: Jan-Michael Vincent, Ernest Borgnine, Jean Bruce Scott and Alex Cord. Buy Airwolf Season Three in the USA - or Buy Airwolf Season Three in the UK  check out website: www.universal-playback.com
The third season of the original 1985 'Airwolf' TV series actually holds up reasonably well despite its show-runner Donald Bellisario quitting over its budget. The fact that it was the final season also indicates why shows of this nature came to an end. Live-action, whether it is with futuristic cars or helicopters, on a TV budget is extremely expensive. It's also worth pointing out that the series is also fondly remembered and merchandise of 'the Lady', the Airwolf itself, is eagerly sought whenever it is issued. It's interesting to note that its real pilot, Ron Stein, was allowed to direct the penultimate episode 'Tracks' and was probably the lightest for using the helicopter.
As I've commented in regard to the previous two seasons, 'Airwolf' is technically Science Fiction. Converti-planes, which is what Airwolf would be classified as, that can change configuration between helicopter and jet plane are still very much on the drawing boards still. They'll cease to be SF when all the problems with making them work can be ironed out. Saying that, this series did inspire then President Ronald Reagan to invest heavily in military helicopters which drastically changed battlefield operations ever since.
The scenario of all these stories has to be rotated (sic) around the use of Airwolf itself. Considering it was the state-of-the-art, most other aircraft didn't have a chance against it. Well, except Airwolf II, a red-painted revised version designed by its original arrogant engineer slipping in a laser as extra weaponry. Even then, it was also a reminder that such choppers also need good pilots as well. There were a couple episodes that showed that Airwolf was not completely invulnerable, not to mention showing the odd time it was being repaired or The Firm (clearly shown on a business card) and its boss Archangel regularly supplying Hawke and Santini with fuel and armaments. It's details like this that can flesh out the show.
John Vernon as John Bradford Horn has two encounters in 'Horn Of Plenty' and 'Discovery'. He's also one of the few villains to get away a second time. Had there been a fourth season, you'd have felt sure they'd have brought him back. I should point out that I'm kind of ignoring the latter Canadian low-budget version of the series.
There is a more even balance between Firm missions and personal stories this time around and even when they cross over each other. If anything, its co-star Jean Bruce Scott who tended to get short-changed with material although she did make the most of it when given more to do. The performances by Jan-Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine were always solid and who couldn't like the sardonic Alex Cord.
If you want to see some serious Airwolf action then look at the episodes 'The Horn Of Plenty', 'Airwolf II', 'Eagles', 'Jennie' and 'Discovery'. You can see pilot Ron Stein do some superb manoeuvring including flying through a tunnel.
Are you having fond memories of the series yet? That's if you're of a particular age. If you're younger, then I'm also sure you'll find this series has a lot to offer.
GF Willmetts
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