Spider-Man. A very old spider. As far as I know, this is to some extent the pilot of the series of the same name about the most famous web thrower. The film itself now looks more comical than it could have been in 1977 and then everyone watched it as something like an action movie. I would really like to praise the camera work, the scenes from the first person looked pretty cool. The actors themselves are a little wooden and the very frequent silence annoyed when for several minutes the character walks around and does something incomprehensible and the viewer is left to wonder what it is. The plot of the film is neither good nor bad, in order to present who this Spider-Man is.
30 Reviews
Flawed and silly, but has some charm
Jeremy_Urquhart18 December 2021
Very silly but I feel like the goofy tone was mostly intentional? It captures the inherent silliness of Spider-Man fairly well.
With more money and time to make this, this could've been genuinely pretty good for its time. There's some creativity and decent enough characterisation - more than I expected - but the tv-ness of it all definitely holds it back.
Still, as a rough draft of a film/tv pilot, I feel like it proves Spider-Man could have worked as a proper film made during the late 70s (like the original Superman).
But, for whatever reason, fans of the character would have to wait another 25 years for Spider-Man to get the proper big screen treatment, thanks to one Sam Raimi.
With more money and time to make this, this could've been genuinely pretty good for its time. There's some creativity and decent enough characterisation - more than I expected - but the tv-ness of it all definitely holds it back.
Still, as a rough draft of a film/tv pilot, I feel like it proves Spider-Man could have worked as a proper film made during the late 70s (like the original Superman).
But, for whatever reason, fans of the character would have to wait another 25 years for Spider-Man to get the proper big screen treatment, thanks to one Sam Raimi.
Hilariously 70s
matthewssilverhammer23 July 2018
Ridiculously '70s, unintentionally hilarious action, obnoxious blue screens, the lamest possible Aunt May, and a Peter Parker that's as dim as a supervillain's henchman. And yet, because of its cool climax and solid villain plot, it still towers above the Marc Webb / Andrew Garfield tragedies.
A very good try...
koconnor-127 March 2001
It should be noted that this, not The Incredible Hulk, was television's first real attempt to bring a live action Marvel comic book character to the small screen. (Wonder Woman had come in apx. the same time and finally got it right...) It was a real kick watching a live action Spiderman crawl up the side of a building, spin a web, and use that spider sense of his.
But what STILL gets me is the music. The creepy 70's "wa-wa" enhanced guitar coupled with the orchestral sense of danger and intrigue common to 70s action adventure series was right on. I still find myself humming it from time to time.
And it was quite a hoot to learn (some years later) that Nicholas Hammond, Spidey himself, was also one of the Von Trapp children in "The Sound of Music"... So long, farewell, it's time to web-sling off...
But what STILL gets me is the music. The creepy 70's "wa-wa" enhanced guitar coupled with the orchestral sense of danger and intrigue common to 70s action adventure series was right on. I still find myself humming it from time to time.
And it was quite a hoot to learn (some years later) that Nicholas Hammond, Spidey himself, was also one of the Von Trapp children in "The Sound of Music"... So long, farewell, it's time to web-sling off...
Go to the dentist instead.
blmulholland22 July 2000
Comic book movie adaptations have a terrible record overall, and Marvel comics has the worst record of all. This movie should be banned by the Geneva convention. The movie really seems to try to do credit to Peter Parker's comic book origins, but the budget, and effects limitations ensure that the movie looks cheesy and corny. For decent comic book adaptations look to X-Men, the first Batman movie, and (to a lesser extent), the Superman movies.
Not a Spider-Man movie at all
quinlenhanderson5 November 2021
The movie is dull and not even remotely a Spider-Man movie. In this movie, Peter Parker is neither a nerd being kicked around by the world nor is Spider-Man a hero who feels the weight of having great responsibility to match his great power. 99% of the characters that are essential to Peter's growth as a hero don't exist in this movie. There's no Uncle Ben, no Gwen Stacy, no Mary Jane, No Harry Osborn. Nicholas Hammond is a great actor and that's literally the only halfway decent quality about this movie. If you were to remove "Spider-Man" from the movie you'd be left with a cheesy but decent spy/action movie by 70's standards. This movie is a total insult to the Spider-Man character.
They tried
BandSAboutMovies7 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I can tell you exactly where a five-year-old me was on the night of September 14, 1977.
Watching this movie on CBS.
I wasn't alone, as it was the highest performing CBS production for the entire year and played as a theatrical movie in Europe, often in a double bill with Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.
Directed by E. W. Swackhamer (Vampire) and written by Alvin Boretz, this TV movie has Nicholas Hammond as Peter Parker, who becomes Spider-Man when he's bitten by a radioactive spider.
His first villain isn't Doctor Octopus or the Green Goblin, but instead The Guru (Thayer David), who is mind controlling people to rob banks and threatens to cause ten people to commit suicide unless he's paid $50 million. The real drama happens when Peter becomes one of the people under the villain's thrall.
It's just sort of like the comic and not really filled with action, but it does have the wild stunt of Spider-Man climbing an actual building in New York City and swinging on a web, which wasn't CGI back in 1977 and blew all of our minds.
Watching this movie on CBS.
I wasn't alone, as it was the highest performing CBS production for the entire year and played as a theatrical movie in Europe, often in a double bill with Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.
Directed by E. W. Swackhamer (Vampire) and written by Alvin Boretz, this TV movie has Nicholas Hammond as Peter Parker, who becomes Spider-Man when he's bitten by a radioactive spider.
His first villain isn't Doctor Octopus or the Green Goblin, but instead The Guru (Thayer David), who is mind controlling people to rob banks and threatens to cause ten people to commit suicide unless he's paid $50 million. The real drama happens when Peter becomes one of the people under the villain's thrall.
It's just sort of like the comic and not really filled with action, but it does have the wild stunt of Spider-Man climbing an actual building in New York City and swinging on a web, which wasn't CGI back in 1977 and blew all of our minds.
The greatest super hero ever invented
phil13dogg5 July 2000
I thought this film did an admirable job portraying most of spideys origins, although a lot of key events were left out entirely. This movie is a quick fix for all spideys fans out there until someone gets a clue and makes a guaranteed blockbuster of a movie, lets hope this time it gets done.
an "Ef" for effort
ThunderKing611 February 2021
Just like the bad early Captain America, Dr. Strange. These movies/shows were really bad.
Sometimes I can give corny products a pass but this corny crap was so dreadfully horrible.
70s or not. This is beyond hash. This is an Abomination....haha literally.
Verdict: this movie/show made Blonsky look pretty. 2 because it was better then those Captain america producs.
Sometimes I can give corny products a pass but this corny crap was so dreadfully horrible.
70s or not. This is beyond hash. This is an Abomination....haha literally.
Verdict: this movie/show made Blonsky look pretty. 2 because it was better then those Captain america producs.
From the living hills of Austria to the walls of Manhattan.
mark.waltz27 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It's been 12 years since he's threatened to put spiders into the bed of Julie Andrews in Salzburg, and now, he has the ability to climb like one. Nicholas Hammond, aka Frederic Von Trapp is all grown up now, and he's gone from escaping from Nazis to chasing bad guys. He had the help of Anna Lee, the future Lila Quartermaine of "General Hospital", in that film, and in this film, his beloved Aunt May is Jeff Donnell who would soon be spending a decade making bad coffee for Lila as housekeeper Stella Fields. Future "GH" costar Bob Hastings is here too, quite a ways from McHale's Navy.
As novice photographer Peter Parker, Hammond is being barked at by the former Larry Tate of "Bewitched", David White, and while developing photos, is bitten by a spider that somehow got into the developing fluid, giving him superpowers. Okay, it's probably a lot more complex than that, but nonetheless, this TV movie led to a half season action series based on the Marvel comics that had already been an animated series the decade before. We wouldn't get the blockbuster Spider-Man for nearly another 25 years, and of course, the notorious Broadway musical where stunt people needed much more than General Hospital after a series of accidents.
Put aside the necessity for CGI and high tech effects because this is prior to the Hulk on TV and Superman and Batman in the movies. We hadn't even gotten "Star Wars" in the theater yet so it effects were not as advanced. What you get is a humorous version of the comic book, and lots of delightfully campy dialog and situations, especially Hammond climbing the wall in a way that seems a bit more in tune with the comic book, and certainly closer to how I've seen spiders climb buildings. I don't recall if I watch the TV series or not, but after seeing this movie, I'm anxious to revisit it, hoping that I can find it.
As novice photographer Peter Parker, Hammond is being barked at by the former Larry Tate of "Bewitched", David White, and while developing photos, is bitten by a spider that somehow got into the developing fluid, giving him superpowers. Okay, it's probably a lot more complex than that, but nonetheless, this TV movie led to a half season action series based on the Marvel comics that had already been an animated series the decade before. We wouldn't get the blockbuster Spider-Man for nearly another 25 years, and of course, the notorious Broadway musical where stunt people needed much more than General Hospital after a series of accidents.
Put aside the necessity for CGI and high tech effects because this is prior to the Hulk on TV and Superman and Batman in the movies. We hadn't even gotten "Star Wars" in the theater yet so it effects were not as advanced. What you get is a humorous version of the comic book, and lots of delightfully campy dialog and situations, especially Hammond climbing the wall in a way that seems a bit more in tune with the comic book, and certainly closer to how I've seen spiders climb buildings. I don't recall if I watch the TV series or not, but after seeing this movie, I'm anxious to revisit it, hoping that I can find it.
Thank you Mr. Hammond!
comicbook-guy18 July 2005
This 70's Spider-Man series is one of my favorites. It may not be exactly like the comics, but it was impossible to do a live action Spider-Man on 70's TV like the one in the comics. In those days before CGI they could have stunt men hanging by wires, the camera could be tilted, blue screen could be employed, but no matter what they tried it just wasn't going to look like the comics. None of that stopped Nicholas Hammond from shining though. Hammond imbued his Parker/Spider-Man with a tremendous integrity and sincerity which transcended the limitations of low tech 70's TV and made him a great comic book hero in the classic sense. He was honorable, compassionate, and just. I had great admiration for Hammond's idealistic Parker/Spider-Man as a kid. I never missed an episode. Thanks Nicholas Hammond!
'The Amazing Spider-Man' (Pilot - September 14, 1977)
mfnmbvp2 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I learned about this very first screen adaptation of Marvel Comics' Spider-Man while browsing through the Blockbuster Entertainment Guide To Videos And Movies 1999 version, and was surprised to see 'The Amazing Spider-Man' from 1977. I was intrigued naturally and was lucky enough to track down a decent copy of this feature film length pilot episode, and although dated it may be, it is still interesting to see the origin of a Marvel Comics character come alive on screen. Family friendly entertainment, I guess you could say, although it will probably not hold the attention of children very well nowadays, with it's primitive special effects and hammy acting and dialogue.
Nicholas Hammond is a good representation of Spider-Man, one can definitely see Sam Raimi searching around for Tobey Maguire to resemble him later on for the 2002 film version of 'Spider-Man' whose special effects I also felt were pretty pitiful and just looked extremely computer generated the entire time. This almost made me enjoy this version more, however the film drags along sluggishly most of the time, without any real action taking place for a good 45 minutes of the film. The actions sequences that do take place are again, primitive and slow, and the ending is a bit abrupt and anti-climactic.
None of Spider-Man's most popular villains make an appearance here, as the special effects wouldn't allow for it, but Aunt May does make an appearance here played by an actress named Jeff Donnell, as does J. Jonah Jameson who is played by David White.
The film is mostly forgettable, and is only really worth seeing for Spider-Man and Marvel Comics completists like myself, but for what it's worth in nostalgic value, this one is a keeper. I can't wait to see how the new 2012 film 'The Amazing Spider-Man' will look next to this one.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (PILOT) -----7/10.
Nicholas Hammond is a good representation of Spider-Man, one can definitely see Sam Raimi searching around for Tobey Maguire to resemble him later on for the 2002 film version of 'Spider-Man' whose special effects I also felt were pretty pitiful and just looked extremely computer generated the entire time. This almost made me enjoy this version more, however the film drags along sluggishly most of the time, without any real action taking place for a good 45 minutes of the film. The actions sequences that do take place are again, primitive and slow, and the ending is a bit abrupt and anti-climactic.
None of Spider-Man's most popular villains make an appearance here, as the special effects wouldn't allow for it, but Aunt May does make an appearance here played by an actress named Jeff Donnell, as does J. Jonah Jameson who is played by David White.
The film is mostly forgettable, and is only really worth seeing for Spider-Man and Marvel Comics completists like myself, but for what it's worth in nostalgic value, this one is a keeper. I can't wait to see how the new 2012 film 'The Amazing Spider-Man' will look next to this one.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (PILOT) -----7/10.
Available on CED Videodisc
james-curiel28 June 2006
This is available on RCA CED Videodisc, RCA's videodisc format from 1981-1986. I am watching it right now with my son on CED. You can find the discs and machines at on the web at CED Central. Was originally made for TV, so it has a lot of actors that appeared mainly in television productions. The 70's standard of special effects may seem dated, but it has it's own charm for younger generations and nostalgia for those from the time period. Actually, I find the low tech special effects easier on the eyes than the computer wizardry of today. I look at the digital effects of today and the imagery seems thin and repulsive. Live action blue screen and low tech crawling up the side of the building when its on the flat simpler, but the imagery is richer and more full. I find that more appealing to suspending my sense of disbelief.
what the film means to me
gerardo_s6918 December 1999
I remember the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN from when I was a kid,it was one of the first memorys I have when we came to this country. Spidey taught me a lot for just being a fictional hero,I only wish I could get all the movies so, that I might share them with my son one day. Until then I have my memorys and the cartoon , for now that will have to do. thanks
the one movie i would kill to see again
my_little_empire23 June 2001
i haven't seen this movie since i was a kid, but the memories of it are still very strong. One scene that stands out especially is when Peter Parker first puts on his suit and stands in front of a large mirror! I am shocked that the movie has not been made available somewhere for sometime. i only hope that with the release of the new movie that columbia/tristar will also release the amazing spiderman! Please release this soon!!!
This is one awesome movie
dragon#122 May 2001
This is one of the coolest movies I've ever seen. So what if the special effects aren't that great, or if the origin doesn't stick to the comics. Nicholas Hammond does really well as the wall-crawler. The rest of the cast does good too. The fights are awesome and so are the stunts. This is definitely a must see for any Spidey fan, like me. I give this film a 10 out of 10.
Good fun!
Krister Klementsen2 March 2002
I remember renting this movie in 1984 or so. In 1998 I bought it on video. I loved watching it again. It has some cool camera work. The music score is good. I specially like the moment when the bank robbers come out of the bank. That cool 70`s sound.
This is my favorite of the three movies!
I give it 5 out of 10!
I've never had the chance to watch the TV-series, but I hope I will some day!
Long live comics!
Make mine Marvel!!
This is my favorite of the three movies!
I give it 5 out of 10!
I've never had the chance to watch the TV-series, but I hope I will some day!
Long live comics!
Make mine Marvel!!
Great!
AnnaPagrati31 August 2021
GREAT PILOT MOVIE FOR THE TV SERIES
Big Movie Fan22 March 2002
Superhero films are a mixed bag in my opinion. Most of the time we are treated to great superhero films such as Superman (1978), Batman (1989) and the X-Men (2000). Other times superhero films are not very good as was the case with the 1990 Captain America movie and Judge Dredd.
I'm please to say that the pilot for the Spider-Man TV series was really good. There is a great plot, a great villain and the superb Nicholas Hammond as Spider-Man. The late great David White (remember him as Larry Tate from Bewitched?) also made an excellent Jonah Jameson.
Most of you will be familiar with Spider-Man's origin. It differs a little bit here but it's still very convincing.
Just like the great Incredible Hulk TV movie from the late 70's Spider-Man did not disappoint and it set the ball rolling for the TV series that followed.
I hope the 2002 Spider-Man film is as good as this. No doubt that the special effects will be superior but let's hope it has a good plot too.
I'm please to say that the pilot for the Spider-Man TV series was really good. There is a great plot, a great villain and the superb Nicholas Hammond as Spider-Man. The late great David White (remember him as Larry Tate from Bewitched?) also made an excellent Jonah Jameson.
Most of you will be familiar with Spider-Man's origin. It differs a little bit here but it's still very convincing.
Just like the great Incredible Hulk TV movie from the late 70's Spider-Man did not disappoint and it set the ball rolling for the TV series that followed.
I hope the 2002 Spider-Man film is as good as this. No doubt that the special effects will be superior but let's hope it has a good plot too.
Spiderman, Spiderman, A decade after the show began
The_Light_Triton16 September 2007
When someone mentions the word "superhero", many names will come to mind. Spiderman is one of them. What makes Spiderman stand out is how "unsuper" he really is. He's an unlucky loser in tights. While Superman and Batman were loved by one and all, and they were the All-American heroes, Spiderman was the big loser. His secret identity was a teenager who couldn't pick up girls. He was the nerd who seemed to lose everything...even his family.
But as if by fate, one day he got bit by a radioactive spider, and while that might seem unlucky, it gave him the strength of a spider if it was his size, and the ability to climb walls, and shoot webbing.
OK, now that you know about the web slinging wonder, Spiderman, let me describe the movie.
It's the year 1977, supposedly. Peter Parker is trying to make some money for scientific purposes, meanwhile, a man is using the power of mind control to get money. after making unsuspecting minions do his dirty work, he plans the biggest threat of all - if he isn't paid 50 million dollars by a Friday afternoon, 10 random people will die.
There's only one man who stands in his way...Peter Parker. Alias; Spiderman.
I found this movie very entertaining. i still do. the special effects were pretty good for the time, the music funky, the plot original, and everything else just great. if anyone says this movie is bad, no it is not. it's Probably one of the nest TV movies i've seen.
i suggest you see it.
But as if by fate, one day he got bit by a radioactive spider, and while that might seem unlucky, it gave him the strength of a spider if it was his size, and the ability to climb walls, and shoot webbing.
OK, now that you know about the web slinging wonder, Spiderman, let me describe the movie.
It's the year 1977, supposedly. Peter Parker is trying to make some money for scientific purposes, meanwhile, a man is using the power of mind control to get money. after making unsuspecting minions do his dirty work, he plans the biggest threat of all - if he isn't paid 50 million dollars by a Friday afternoon, 10 random people will die.
There's only one man who stands in his way...Peter Parker. Alias; Spiderman.
I found this movie very entertaining. i still do. the special effects were pretty good for the time, the music funky, the plot original, and everything else just great. if anyone says this movie is bad, no it is not. it's Probably one of the nest TV movies i've seen.
i suggest you see it.
A Bold but often Unintentionally Hilarious effort
Cinema_Lover9 July 2004
You have to give the producers and actors of this show some praise for at least TRYING to do a live action Spider-Man. As unintentionally funny as this pilot movie and the series that followed could be, I was always glad that someone actually attempted something with Spider-Man like this. The problem here is that this show had a limited TV budget, and of course it was made in the 1970s where the technology was very primitive. So the creators of this movie were just way in over their heads here with what they were trying to do. It worked in the 70s for the Incredible Hulk and Wonder Woman where only simple stunts are needed, but doing Spider-Man requires a large budget and adequate technology. They didn't have the money or time to build sets on this show, so they actually used real New York buildings and real people!! It was outrageous and it did expose the silliness of the Spider-Man character. When you watch this show and see Spider-Man climbing up a REAL skyscraper 50 ft off the ground or dangling from a REAL helicopter, you realize that in no way can anyone EVER be Spider-Man, even if they did have the proportional powers of a spider.
The origins of Spider-Man from the comics are simply ignored here, and many characters are omitted. Peter Parker does get bitten by a radioactive spider, but as an over 25 year old graduate student in college, not a high school kid as he is supposed to be. There is no Uncle Ben, no wrestling arena, and no murdering thief. Aunt May is here, but in a brief cameo. Betty Brandt is not here, but there is a cute African American secretary in her place by the name of Rita. J. Jonah Jameson is there along with Robbie, but a needlessly grumpy police detective always hangs around. Nicholas Hammond at first glance is not the ideal Peter Parker, for one thing he just looks too old. Peter Parker was about 15-23 in the comics. Even though Hammond was in his 20s like the current Spider-Man Tobey Maguire is, Hammond just looked like he was about 35 or 36. Maguire was 25 when he was first cast as Peter/Spidey, but at least he looked like he was still a kid. Hammond in no way looked like he was 16. Hammond also came across as way too worldly and experienced compared to the way Pete should be. He just seemed like he knew a lot about life compared to the Tobey Maguire version or the comic book Peter Parker. And Hammond's Peter Parker acted far too mature to the way Peter traditionally is. You can tell that Hammond's Peter Parker has been around the block multiple times.
Now the great thing about Nicholas Hammond is that he DOES GROW ON YOU. So if you go beyond this pilot movie and watch the TV series, after a while you start to realize that Hammond does have many Peter Parker qualities;---he has a "nice guy" type of charm and decency to him, he's also thin, not too muscular, and he's a regular looking guy that is not super studly or anything like that. In the end I think Nicholas Hammond is a fine and worthy addition to the Spider-Man legacy, and it seems like the creators of the 90s animated series paid tribute to Hammond by drawing Peter Parker in his image. Since there is no Uncle Ben or thief in this movie, Peter Parker has no real incentive to be Spider-Man. He just makes a costume and does. Spidey only has one webshooter in this movie, it's on the outside of his costume and it shoots out some kind of string or net about 10 ft.
This show debuted in the 70s before my time, but as a kid growing up in the 80s, I would catch this 70s Spider-Man show every once in a while. And back then it was a real treat to see this, even though it looked so mental. Again it was great JUST HAVING a live action Spider-Man. Any kind of live action Spider-Man. Peter Parker/Spider-Man's powers are considerably toned down on this show. He does have some kind of weird super strength that comes and goes, but in no way does he ever come across like he could bench press 10 tons like the comic book Spidey can. Spider-Man did climb up walls, but it looked odd the way he did it in this movie. And he never webslinged across New York on this show, the most Spidey webslinged here was about 4 ft from one ledge to another. This movie and the series that followed for 1 year was without question pretty freakin' stupid, but you have to give them some credit for trying.
The origins of Spider-Man from the comics are simply ignored here, and many characters are omitted. Peter Parker does get bitten by a radioactive spider, but as an over 25 year old graduate student in college, not a high school kid as he is supposed to be. There is no Uncle Ben, no wrestling arena, and no murdering thief. Aunt May is here, but in a brief cameo. Betty Brandt is not here, but there is a cute African American secretary in her place by the name of Rita. J. Jonah Jameson is there along with Robbie, but a needlessly grumpy police detective always hangs around. Nicholas Hammond at first glance is not the ideal Peter Parker, for one thing he just looks too old. Peter Parker was about 15-23 in the comics. Even though Hammond was in his 20s like the current Spider-Man Tobey Maguire is, Hammond just looked like he was about 35 or 36. Maguire was 25 when he was first cast as Peter/Spidey, but at least he looked like he was still a kid. Hammond in no way looked like he was 16. Hammond also came across as way too worldly and experienced compared to the way Pete should be. He just seemed like he knew a lot about life compared to the Tobey Maguire version or the comic book Peter Parker. And Hammond's Peter Parker acted far too mature to the way Peter traditionally is. You can tell that Hammond's Peter Parker has been around the block multiple times.
Now the great thing about Nicholas Hammond is that he DOES GROW ON YOU. So if you go beyond this pilot movie and watch the TV series, after a while you start to realize that Hammond does have many Peter Parker qualities;---he has a "nice guy" type of charm and decency to him, he's also thin, not too muscular, and he's a regular looking guy that is not super studly or anything like that. In the end I think Nicholas Hammond is a fine and worthy addition to the Spider-Man legacy, and it seems like the creators of the 90s animated series paid tribute to Hammond by drawing Peter Parker in his image. Since there is no Uncle Ben or thief in this movie, Peter Parker has no real incentive to be Spider-Man. He just makes a costume and does. Spidey only has one webshooter in this movie, it's on the outside of his costume and it shoots out some kind of string or net about 10 ft.
This show debuted in the 70s before my time, but as a kid growing up in the 80s, I would catch this 70s Spider-Man show every once in a while. And back then it was a real treat to see this, even though it looked so mental. Again it was great JUST HAVING a live action Spider-Man. Any kind of live action Spider-Man. Peter Parker/Spider-Man's powers are considerably toned down on this show. He does have some kind of weird super strength that comes and goes, but in no way does he ever come across like he could bench press 10 tons like the comic book Spidey can. Spider-Man did climb up walls, but it looked odd the way he did it in this movie. And he never webslinged across New York on this show, the most Spidey webslinged here was about 4 ft from one ledge to another. This movie and the series that followed for 1 year was without question pretty freakin' stupid, but you have to give them some credit for trying.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Better Than The New Ones!
cannoncnn27 December 2015
This is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the ones with Toby McGuire & Andrew Garfield, however those are still some of my favorite movies! Pretty much I'm saying that this is the best one out of all the live action Spider-Man movies! I think that this one should get an 7.3 out of 10 while the other ones should get a 5.6 out of 10 or this one should get rather an 8.3, a 9.3, or maybe even a 10 out of 10 so it can be on the top 250 movies on IMDb! That's who good this is! For those who've not heard of it, it's about how Peter Parker (Nicholas Hammond) as an adult becomes Spider-Man while a guy has the ability to control people's minds.
This movie was so good that it was the inspiration for a live-action 1970s TV show called "The Amazing Spider-Man" with this being that pilot!
This movie was so good that it was the inspiration for a live-action 1970s TV show called "The Amazing Spider-Man" with this being that pilot!
True to the comics in origin
Op_Prime18 April 2000
This tv movie was not very similar to the comics (hey, what tv series or movies based on comics are ever completely true to them). The origin here is an excellent re-telling of the comic origin. Like the tv series, this show suffers from several major setbacks like crummy effects, but it is bearable.
A classic pilot episode!! Captures Spiderman well.
alexanderdavies-993822 July 2017
This feature length pilot episode of "Spiderman" deserves a much higher rating. I enjoy this television film in different ways as it is well acted, the dialogue is pretty good and the essence of the Spiderman character is captured most effectively. I first saw this back in 1986 when I rented the video. All these years later, I still like this 1977 effort. Nicholas Hammond immediately made the character of Peter Parker his own. I can actually envision him in the role and I have yet to see another actor play that character just as well. It is common knowledge that a stunt double was employed for the scenes with Spiderman but that's OK. Being a pilot episode, the regular series made a few changes: David White is cast as J.Jonah Jameson and the actress who plays Aunt May here is different. The character of Robbie Robertson was written out by the time the regular series began, Rita had yet to make an appearance, the sets for the Daily Bugle are different to those used for the later episodes and the music is completely different. Only Michael Pataki as the gruff Police Captain remained for the series, apart from Nicholas Hammond. The plot is fairly straightforward which is good. Thayer David is good as the main villain as he extorts the city of New York for a total of $50,000,000. He has under his control, the lives of several New York citizens who have been brainwashed into carrying out various robberies across the city. After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker narrowly avoids being run over by a car that is being driven by one of the brainwashed citizens. There follows Parker's efforts to adapt to his newly acquired superpowers by scaling walls, stopping a thief, saving a man who nearly jumps out of a window. As Spiderman, he locates the hideout of the villains on top of a skyscraper (naturally) and engages in a pretty good fight scene against three armed guards. There is one good shot where the stunt man is able to attach himself to the ceiling and this was done in one take. I still don't know how this was achieved. It's true that some of the shots of Spiderman scaling walls aren't so convincing but lack of time and money are a factor here. The recent films of the last few years may be riddled with CGI but they make for terrible viewing all the time. Also, we see two different camera shots of some brave soul who swings his way from the top of one skyscraper to another! It's not surprising that scenes like this were rare as it was too dangerous. David White makes for a very good J. Jonah Jameson. He is rather harsh on both Peter Parker and Spiderman. With the former, Jameson never fails to become cantankerous and disagreeable and with the latter character, he always criticises Spiderman for being "a one-man army," for being a threat to society etc. It is difficult to decide who was the best J. Jonah Jameson as Robert F. Simon is brilliant later on in the series. There is always something of interest happening in "Spiderman." I love the scenes at the Daily Bugle, there are some very good lines. This, along with the pilot episode of "The Incredible Hulk" from the same year, is by far the most satisfactory attempt by Hollywood in adapting "Marvel Comic" superhero characters for the small screen. The pilot episodes of "Captain America" and "Doctor Strange" weren't so successful. Watch this very first live action "Spiderman" television film and enjoy!
Hilariously inept
fleischwolf7 July 2004
this spider-man series is always good for a laugh. most of all the special effects are amusing. for instance there are three ways that peter parker can crawl up a wall: first he is pulled up by a wire, while making crawling attempts where you of course see, that his hands and feet are not sticking too the wall, but slipping off of it. second, a horrible blue screen and third when he's crawling around on a wall that is actually horizontal, while turning the camera 90°, like in the old batman series, when batman and robin are "climbing" up a building. his web shooters are giant devices of solid metal that , when used are as loud as a shot gun (thanks goodness they dropped the idea of artificial web shooters in the new movie, it was really corny to begin with). the oh so nimble spider-man is such a moron that he drops his camera WHILE SNEEZING!!!! also the shots with spider-man running around on the roofs about Manhattan stupid. he runs around looking here and there without any sense or purpose, like someone looking for his watch he lost. and never mind the web slinging. he only does this twice in the movie and each time he seems as nimble as a drunken gorilla.
add to this a corny story line and hamfisted acting and you've got yourself a campfest worth watching for its cheer hilarity!
add to this a corny story line and hamfisted acting and you've got yourself a campfest worth watching for its cheer hilarity!
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