AIRWOLF: THE DOCUMENTARY

A while back ago, documentary producer/director and diehard fan Martin Grant, self-financed a large and demanding 5-week shoot across the United States to reach the 40 CAST AND CREW (including 10 GUEST STARS) secured for interviews. California, Oregon, Texas and Massachusetts were the four “journey” states, taking Grant and his lighting cameraman Eric Shepherd, coast-to-coast across America. The shoot was a resounding success, and enjoyed a great deal by the pair, as they met and interviewed the men and women responsible for producing one of the most complicated, troubled and expensive television productions ever attempted. 2 further interviews were shot before and after in Southern England.

THE BEGINNING:

Since September 2010, a very special and incredibly ambitious documentary, chronicling in-depth the making of the classic U.S. action thriller series “AIRWOLF”, has been in production. The memorable airborne drama, starring JAN-MICHAEL VINCENT and the late ERNEST BORGNINE as the pilots of a renegade super helicopter, was a worldwide success during its original broadcast run in the 1980’s. The No. 1 imported show in Japan and South Africa, it has benefited greatly from several re-runs internationally, in particular its most popular territories of the United Kingdom and Europe. Today, it continues to do so in the digital era, proving immensely popular on the Hulu and Netflix online platforms.
Last year, documentary producer/director (& diehard fan) Martin Grant, self-financed a large and demanding 5-week shoot across the United States to reach the 40 CAST AND CREW (including 10 GUEST STARS) secured for interviews. California, Oregon, Texas and Massachusetts were the four “journey” states, taking Grant and his lighting cameraman Eric Shepherd, coast-to-coast across America. The shoot was a resounding success, and enjoyed a great deal by the pair, as they met and interviewed the men and women responsible for producing one of the most complicated, troubled and expensive television productions ever attempted. 2 further interviews were shot before and after in Southern England.
You can find SCREENSHOTS and more information of those HIGH DEFINITION-shot interviews at the official BLOG for the project: http://airwolfdocumentary.blogspot.com
Their stories and memories were undeniably unique, and recorded on HD film for posterity. However, it was realized that the documentary could be significantly extended and taken "to the next level", by interviewing many more people of importance who could contribute to the extraordinary wealth and value of those recollections; providing an even more full & complete story on the show’s overwhelmingly problematic life in production. These would be cast and crew connected to the original CBS series with Vincent and Borgnine, and the infamous made-for-cable ‘sequel’ season in Canada, with Barry Van Dyke and Geraint Wyn Davies of “Diagnosis Murder” and “Forever Knight” fame respectively taken over the leads.
The latter was commissioned by Universal Studios, when the Californian-based show was cancelled after skyrocketing costs, the difficulties associated with Vincent’s extraneous health issues, and a number of circumstances concerning executive ‘politics’ behind the scenes. The CBS "AIRWOLF"ended with 55 episodes, including a two-hour pilot which would be later edited to form a two-part episode, in order to increase the number of programmes to 56. However, television syndication markets at the time required shows to have a package of 80 episodes, to recoup their substantial investments. Hence, the USA Network "AIRWOLF" was born, dubbed “Airwolf II” in production, and as “The New Airwolf” by the then-fledgling cable channel.
It must be noted in particular that no documentary looking back on a past television or motion picture production has ever featured an astounding amount of 34 interviews, let alone the number that will be achieved if you, the prospective backer, decide to become involved in financing a 2nd, final shoot to Toronto, Vancouver and Los Angeles. Based on the list of people already confirmed, the number of recorded interviews with the cast and crew of “AIRWOLF” will rise to approximately 70, with a grand total of 84 persons.

THE DOCUMENTARY:

For the first time, thousands of fans of the series across the globe, both casual and diehard, will be given a thorough and profound look into the triumphs, challenges and problems faced by two sets of casts, crews, studios and television networks during the divided 3 years plus one that “AIRWOLF”was in production. Those unprecedented trials and tribulations will be explored in intimate detail, gaining insight into its history and legacy. It's the intention and ultimate goal of the production team to make this documentary the most comprehensive and meticulous of its kind on a television series, and of the highest professional standard.

Also, due to the unfortunate and terribly sad passing of the show's Oscar-winning performer,ERNEST BORGNINE, the film will now be a major, poignant and fitting tribute to the one and only "Dominic Santini".

THE PLAN OF ACTION:

Your investment will allow us to return to Los Angeles to finally complete the comprehensive filming of this unrivaled retrospective, feature-length documentary. In addition, prior to our arrival in LA, we would be landing in Toronto and Vancouver, to interview the cast and crew of the 4th Season. The projected budget for this shoot is $8,500, however if we exceed that target, any finances gathered will automatically be allocated to post-production costs to what will be a 3-HOUR FEATURE(potentially longer).
The additional money would enable us to enrich the film by hiring additional crew to handle professional visual and graphic effects, online editing and colour grading, broadcast standard sound mixing, master delivery, and the production and distribution of the final DVD product, which will be on par to any major studio release you'll find in retail stores. That's how high the standard will be for this project. "Do it right...or NOT at all".

To incentivize donations, we are teaming up with a number of “AIRWOLF” cast and crew to produce an IRRESISTABLY VARIETY OF PRIZES; all of them exclusive to the eight-week campaign period.
Our co-producer, Mark J. Cairns, is also cordially offering multiple copies of his “Airwolf Appreciation Association” fanzine publications and “Airwolf Themes” soundtracks, including the highly-anticipated, forthcoming sequel album, “Airwolf Extended Themes”.
Throughout the production of the shoot and subsequent editing stages, the existing blog will be maintained with the progress and posting of several photographs and information. The documentary is set to be released in OCTOBER, 2014, to celebrate the 30th British anniversary of the original series, when the two-hour pilot movie debuted on October 5th, 1984.
Thank you for your support and consideration, and we sincerely look forward to hearing from you. We would also greatly appreciate any and all help to SPREAD THE WORD to as many people as you possibly can. Even if you think no one will contribute, you may be pleasantly surprised. Make some supersonic noise for our campaign, and don't forget to use the Indiegogo share tools!
Kindest regards,
Martin Grant
Producer/Director, Granted Productions

To get this documentary moving they need to raise money to get it done and they need you the fans to help them out... Ever dreamt of being a producer of the hit series Airwolf? well here's your chance,  not for the series but for the amazing special 3 hours documentary.


Go here.

PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT

"Proof Through The Night" was always one of my favorite episodes from season 1. The episode had a espionage feeling to it, the same feeling like the episode "Fallen Angel" from season 2, where the guys has to save Archangel from East Germany after being kidnapped by Helmet Krueger. If this is the same Helmet Krueger from the episode "Fight Like I Dove" i'm not really sure.

The episode starts with a double agent "Moses" that is in possession of a neurotoxin which is developed by Russian scientists and is valuable to the F.I.R.M. Hawke is immediately being signed up to go after Moses, who is also a close friend of Archangel.


The mission is complicated by the fact that Moses has refused to leave without his wife and daughter. Airwolf's fuel consumption rates mean that she cannot cover the requisite distance with the "extra weight" of three passengers, They're only option is to remove the weapon systems from Airwolf, but will leave Airwolf unarmed in a hostile country, an idea that Hawke and Santini isn't quite found of. 

ERNEST BORGNINE DIES AT THE AGE OF 95!

Sad new to all fans that cherished the amazing actor Ernest Borgnine, specially us who grew up watching Airwolf.


Ernest died of a renal failure in a Los Angeles hospital with his family by his side. 

Mr Borgnine, who was 95 years old, continued acting until recently with a role in the hospital drama ER in 2009.

He won an Oscar for his role in the 1955 film Marty.

His family released a statement saying Borgnine "had been in excellent health until a recent illness".

Borgnine was also known for his roles in The Wild Bunch and disaster movie The Poseidon Adventure.

His TV series McHale's Navy was also a major success in the United States. He is also remembered for his role as the jovial Dominic Santini in the 1980s series Airwolf.

His manager Lynda Bensky called it "a very sad day", adding: "The industry has lost someone great, the calibre of which we will never see again.

"A true icon. But more importantly, the world has lost a sage and loving man who taught us all how to 'grow young'."

Fellow stars have been paying tribute on Twitter, including his friend, the Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin.

"So sad to read about passing of Ernest Borgnine," she wrote. "We spoke recently at Paramount's 100th anniversary photo. A true legend & a gentleman. RIP."

Cheers star Kirstie Alley tweeted: "Ernest Borgnine... You will be missed... I'm blessed to have worked with you...RIP sweet, talented friend."

Joe Mantegna, who starred in The Godfather Part III and TV series Criminal Minds, said: "I cannot express my sorrow at the loss of Ernest Borgnine. He was a true Hollywood icon and a dear friend. My prayers go out to the family."

British actor Mark Gatiss said: "Farewell to the mighty Ernest Borgnine. A lovely career & working till the end! Can we show 'Marty' on TV, please?"

Others to pay tribute included James Corden, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, William Shatner, Ugly Betty star Michael Urie and former Happy Days actor Scott Baio, who called him, "a great Italian man, actor, Navy veteran, & father".

Writer and broadcaster Andrew Collins said: "I met Ernest Borgnine about ten years ago. He lit up the room. What a privilege. And he was in The Poseidon Adventure. "A lotta guts." RIP"

The son of Italian immigrants, he was born Ermes Effron Borgnino on 24 January 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut. His parents later changed the family name to Borgnine.

He initially never considered a career in acting, serving in the US Navy after leaving high school in 1935.

It was only on the prompting of his mother than he enrolled in a drama school after the end of World War II.

After making his acting breakthrough in the Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie, Borgnine gained his first major film role in From Here to Eternity in 1953, playing a sadistic sergeant who beats up Frank Sinatra's character, Private Angelo Maggio.

His stocky build, gruff voice and leering grin led him to be frequently cast as the villain.

But he escaped the stereotype in 1955, landing an Oscar-winning lead role as a romantic New York butcher in the low-budget film Marty.

He went on to play character-acting roles in more than 60 films, including The Vikings (1958), The Flight of the Phoenix (1965), The Dirty Dozen (1967), Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch (1969) and The Poseidon Adventure (1972).

From the episode "One Way Express"

Borgnine's work in later life included playing the voice of Mermaid Man on children's TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as that of Carface on the animated film All Dogs Go to Heaven 2.

His personal life was turbulent at times, and included four failed marriages. One, to singer Ethel Merman, lasted barely a month.

"The Oscar made me a star, and I'm grateful," Borgnine said in 1966. "But I feel had I not won the Oscar, I wouldn't have gotten into the messes I did in my personal life."

However, his fifth marriage, to Norwegian-born businesswoman Tova Traesnaes in 1972, endured. He is survived by three children from two earlier marriages.

A great actor who will be truly missed..  Rest in piece Ernie #Dominic Santini

Together with Jan-Michael Vincent #promo for Airwolf