Birds of Prey 

I was 12 and already an aircraft nut when this came out, I remember laying on my folks living room floor and thinking, Ive never seen helicopter flying like this before. Still to this day, some of the best helicopter flying outside of a good airshow that you'll ever see.

This movie was the reason I developed a passion for helicopters.

I can never have enough David Janssen. He was always cool, collected, pensive, sincere, with a certain warmth, a sensitivity, and you knew he "gets" it.

THIS IS A GOOD MOVIE DAVID JANSEN WAS A GREAT ACTOR

Anything David Janssen did rates right up there with The Duke.....many of his later movies he played a character that ends up sacrificing something usually his life to save another. Thank you for allowing me and others to watch it.

I love this movie! Gave me chills when I saw it back when for the first time. Fantastic chopper flying!

One of the best TV movies of the 1970's. I loved it as a teenager and I still enjoy it today.

Like many who have commented, saw this on TV when it was originally aired and it became an instant favorite. I was able to get it on VHS a few years ago but was also very disappointed about the music being changed. Would love it if it became available on BlueRay with the original score!

I saw this movie when it first aired and was absolutely fascinated with the spectacular helicopter flying stunts. I have been trying to find this movie for years and am very thankful to you for sharing this with everyone!

i'm with you dan...I'm 57...and i remember this film.....fantastic flying

My sincere Thanks for posting this great CBS made for TV movie I watched with my dad when it originally aired. I've purchased two different releases of this on VHS and was so disappointed the original soundtrack had be butchered removing Three Little Fishes an integral part of the plot. It was really refreshing to FINALLY see this once again as I remember in January 1973, Thank You Very Much! Rod (Ogden, Utah)

It's great to finally see this movie again, after 40 years ! Thank you so much for posting. Between the real in flight footage, accurate engine, transmission, and rotor sounds for both ships, this movie is a symphony for the eyes and ears. Birds of Prey, Chopper 1 , Magnum PI, Blue Thunder, Airwolf...etc all motivated me to get my Helo license. I'm proud to report I actually got to fly a Hughes 369 for about 2 hours. It was a pure joy indeed !

Love the Hughes 500 and Lama whirlybirds. Lots of fun seeing them in action.

LOVE THAT FRENCH AERO SPECIAL CHOPPER WITH THE JET DRIVE. THE FLYING SCENES IN THAT HANGER AT END OF MOVIE WERE FANTASTIC YOU'LL NEVER SEE FLYING LIKE THAT AGAIN!

Thank you for putting this up with the original soundtrack. Must be straight fom VHS. I was so disappointed when I got the DVD release.

In response to Aileen Wagner's question about the fate of the helicopters, I revised the video description to include links to NTSB accident reports, and FAA de-registration info when the Hughes 500 was exported to Canada. My apologies again to Aileen - thanks for the input, and I'm glad you enjoyed the movie!

It was years ahead of its time - a modern version of this would be amazing.

I saw this when it was first released in '73 for television. WOW!! Loved the story. Use to have it on VHS. Think about it from time to time. Nice to see its still out there. There are those who are selling the DVD for big bucks. This'll work. Thanks.

I was 14 when I saw this movie, but I immediately remembered it when the name popped up while searching for full movie uploads. I watched it with my Dad, a former B-29 crewman and avid flyer. Thanks NorthropN156 for a great memory.

Richard Diamond-Private Eye:The coolest dude on tv with Mary Tyler Moore as SAM!Those were really the good old days when everyone could watch tv with family and kids.

Loved it for the P-40 scenes but made me a lover of that Hughes helicopter!

Thanks for posting this great old movie. My Dad was stationed at Wendover during WWII and was part of the 509th. After the war ended he returned to Wendover and worked as the Base Fire Chief until it was turned over to Wendover City in 1976. My Dad and his firefighting crew did standby for this movie.

My unreliable memory detects two missing scenes from this TV movie. First, a KBEX radio secretary reads Harry a letter from one of his THREE ex-wives; he's late with alimony...again. That is the reason for his flying to the Zion bank, where he spots the armored car robbery in progress. Second, some time during his pursuit of the bank robbers, he asks the KBEX weatherman, Karp, about the weather near Moab. Karp "complains" about hot TV lights and media attention before advising Walker to "get out your woolies!" This reminds me of edits made "to fit time allotted" or to sell, say, Preparation H.;)

I was glad to see this again. Like the person before me I was in my teens when I saw this and also again at 51. I'm also a big helicopter fan. Very good stunt flying.

I always thought this was one of the best "made for TV" movies ever and one of Janssen's best as well. Just found out that Janssen actually flew the helo for most of the show, with a professional stunt pilot out of view in the other seat.

Another good aviation themed TV movie was “Family Flight”, also from around 1972-1973...it’s on RU-vid as well.

I was 11 years old last time and only time I saw this movie. Im 52 now and have been asking for years if anyone remebered it. No one ever did. To this day I want to be a helo pilot because of it. I just watched the whole movie, and I gotta thank you for posting it. Man, what a rush to finally see it again after all these years. Janssen was incredible throughout his career. We lost him way too early. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Dan echoed my sentiments exactly. Thank you for posting this movie.

Wow what memories this brings back.Stll love it. Thanks for this.

Birds of Prey, Deadly Encounter (Larry Hagman), Heli scene in The Green Beret, Blue Thunder (came out while I was at Ft. Rucker}. All great representation of what can be done with a helicopter. Scouts Out!!!!!!!!!! The skid to the head, the 500 and the Gazelle face off in the creek bed, low level, nap of the earth flying in the grand canyon brings tears to my eyes, seriously. These guys are truly skilled.......

I have this movie on video tape, the DVD version changes all the music. so annoying with many movies you buy, because of copyrights to songs. but this is the original music. glad I could help you out there who are trying to find the KEELY SMITH singer on this movie. NOW you know :)

who ever shared this--wow--this is a very hard--film--to get--except--on amazon--for mucho---$$$$---here it is---NOW I OWN YOU ONE!!!!!!!!!_THIS IS A REAL FIND___SEEKING IT FOR YEARS__THANK YOU SO!!!!!! MUCH

Grateful thanks for sharing this gem! I've been looking for it for years...

"Damn it Walker, nobody asked you to do that."

Like homebuiltindoorplane, I caught this as a kid on late night tv. I've thought about it for a long time. Fantastic to rediscover it. Thanks.

Love the lines. Why do you work so hard at remembering? Why do you work so hard at forgetting?

Forgot how much I love this movie!

Have not seen this in a long time! Pretty darn good flick! Walker!!!

This movie inspired me as a kid back in the early 70's, I was not able to qualify as an Army Aviator due to my eye's....but I did enlist and became a Huey Door Gunner.....

Wow...what a movie and to think this was a TV movie of the week!!! The stunt pilots were incredible, whizzing in between buildings and within buildings is remarkable. David Jannssen actually shows a lot of emotion in this movie and it really grabs me throughout this action adventure. I watched this when I was a young teen and it stuck with me all these years, and for good reason. Love it!!!!

a great movie I was maybe 14 when this was on t so glad I watch it been with me since then

Great movie. I saw part of it being filmed the bank robbery when I was working for a moving company in Salt Lake.

AMC needs to get behind this film and get it restored and issued out in a proper dvd and/or bluray format. It is too good to fade away. Truly one of David Janssen's great performances; right up their with "Marooned".

This was one of the best "made for TV" movies ever made. I saw it when it aired and never forgot it. Thanks for posting it.

Thanks for sharing this film with David Janssen i haven't seen it for years.

Thanks for posting a good movie & great Utah back country ariel flying with the nimble, fast & safe designed Hughes 500 helicopter & Aerospatiale SA 315B Lama helicopter that set a world record altitude holder of 40,814' ASL in 1972 still valid as of 2016.

Great movies back then, now it's only zombies & romantic vampires.

Thank you very much!

The only lead for me to find this movie is the name of the hero "Walker". Since it was ages ago (could be I was ten when I first saw it) I can't clearly remember the actors. I thought it was Gene Hackman, then browse "helicopter action movies" there it was Birds of Prey 1973. And it is available to watch on RU-vid to boot! Thanks for the upload!

Thanks for uploading this. This movie has a lot to do with why I Love helicopters!

Oh, man, I haven't seen this since it was first shown on CBS! Thanks for posting this gem.

Also a little history , the fighter planes are P40's . the American volunteers had 3 squadrons defending China. The Panda bears, The Adams and Eves , and Hells Angels. they racked up in just 6 months of fighting over 300 confirmed planes shot down. Their early victory came on Christmas day when they shot down 2 3rds of the bomber force attacking China. 29 bombers destroyed. They were one of the Elite fighter groups, led and taught by Claire Chennault. just in case anyone is curious. THE FLYING TIGERS they were named by the Chinese people after their first victory

If only he knew what we would be singing in the future. Was he singing the hookee pookee? Its much tamer then Reign in blood! Ah the good old days when you could tow your P-40 to town, With your Town and Country wagon. With some disco on the AM Bell Bottoms and Silk shirts And don't forget the platform shoes or the Hush Puppies.

A very good movie. Thanks for posting it.

One of the best helicopter movies ever made!

When this was first released in 1973, I was 5, I would not have a real appreciation for this film until 1978 or so when it was aired on late night and I was 10. No slam on the uploader of this film, I am sure they did their best, but I really wish someone would upload a clearer better resolution version.

There is a scene in the film during which Janssen's character stops a fuel truck on the road and refuels his helicopter. Someone wrote that all helicopters use jet fuel; they don't. It depends on the engine. Some helicopters have piston engines and use aviation gasoline, most commonly AVGAS 100LL, but many can also operate on gasoline. Most commercial helicopters as well as all combat helicopters use turbine engines, either one or two of them, and those use jet fuel, but there are exceptions. The helicopter used in the film is a Hughes 369 / 500 / OH-6.The engine has considerably fewer parts, mechanically is very reliable, produces reduced exterior noise, and runs on virtually any fuel: petrol (gasoline), diesel fuel, and aviation fuels. Similarly, the Swedish Stridsvagn 103 was the first tank to utilize a gas turbine, in this case as a secondary, high-horsepower "sprint" engine to augment the primary piston engine's performance. I would imagine the film's director relied on expert technical advice when making the movie. If one is still doubtful, call the local television station and ask if their pilots fly the Hughes 369 /500 helicopter; they likely do. The helicopters are often used commercially to broadcast the news, traffic situations, and other news-worthy events. The helicopter used in the film is easily identified.

one of janssens,best tv movies.although he did a 2 hr. police story in 1977.it was outstanding.d.janssen,was a very under appreciated actor.------67luke

a great movie and good actor.

Yes, an old classic of mine I remember as a young teenager. Oddly, as is stated in the description, both choppers were damaged or destroyed not long after this film was made..

C model Hughes 500....great aircraft

I remember I was 13 when this came out and watching it with my dad. We had a great shared love of aviation. Glad someone uploaded it, kind of makes me think about my dad. The last trip we took together was a few months before he passed away to the Air Force Museum in Dayton.

Great movie! I must've been 11 or 12 when I first saw this on TV. Loved it from the get-go. Still one of fave David Janssen movies. Thanks for uploading it.

Heh Northrop! thanx for posting! Excellent movie: Fantastic scenery and 'copter scenes. Love it! A+++

Excellent--for a TV movie. Never heard of it.

Odd thing, I spent two years out in Salt Lake, some of that is familiar, but much of it had changed! I did recognize the building, I think was the Red Lion Hotel, where the two women were sunbathing, but other than that I do not see much I recall. The department store, Arbuck's had long sense been torn down.

Yea, my DVD version of this film also omits some of the original (version) music. Primarily '3 Little Fishes' . Read somewhere money was saved by not having to pay song royalties. Great flick. Thanks for posting!!

I loved this movie when I was a kid. Dueling Helo's, with David Janssen, what could be better? Thanks for posting!

Really enjoyed this.

excellent.

Always likes David Jansen. Just don't fly a loach like he does. His left hand belonged on the collective pitch, not holding a fixed wing hand held mic.

Does anyone know who sings "I'll Get By" in this movie?

Classic CBS! I remember waiting for months after first seeing the CBS trailers for upcoming movies in late '72 or early '73 and the night it was to debut...something happened; somebody did something to somebody or someone notable passed away, and it was pre-empted, and I was very disappointed. Didn't get to see it until '74 as a rerun.

the good movie

Too much of words but 😘😘😘😻

I didn't know that guy from Blue Oyster Cult was such a bad dude.

Why were so many scenes of the girl & David Jansen shot in the dark? You couldn't hardly see them.

......... yeah one of the greatest movies I ever enjoyed when I was a kid David Johnson was my hero from The Fugitive the series and I even got to see some photos that nobody on Earth has ever seen to him in Vegas drunk out of his mind being held up by a bunch of Showgirls with feathers on their head...... the guy was totally zonked it was probably reeling from the information he had cancer or whatever maybe not I don't know great movie I always thought that friendship Aristotle whatever it is what is a gazelle I think that's what I thought it was it what kind of helicopter and of course that helicopter chance and was flying is still I think it's still in production scorpion wasn't it...?.... anyway yeah they got this on VHS I borrowed it wants from the Library and then I found it on eBay I think I had a DVD of it and I think you're right they changed that swim baby swim swim if you can so they swam and they swam all over the dam song 219 forties jazz I don't know maybe it was a copyright infringement they do crap like that sometimes Hollywood in the Jews and the Zionist but anyway it was a great movie and wasn't political like that Vietnam movie he was in with John Wayne it was just a guy trying to do the right thing a good premise a guy with good-natured Soul trying to do what he could in the time when America was just like that..... airplanes yeah that's a b**** real expensive to get your pilot's license and then really expensive to fly these days but I found a really cool RC model of the f9f panther eject they came up with back in the day a fluid all over Korea and they got an RC model kit yeah yeah I know a little something about those Fairchild Republic Grumman Aerospace days I even got a chance to draw a blueprint or two for the e-2c in fact I think that guy what was his name oh yeah I remember now Dave Uncle Dave he designed ef9 of Panther he designed the cougar he designed the kitten he built all of them they manufacture them he manufactured and designed and built the Grumman goose the widget a lot of amphibious aircraft yeah the guy was nuts about airplanes and cats I'm just nuts.... but I like cats a lot to..... it seems everybody in this crazy family is nuts about cats and believe me I know I'm well they're a bunch of nuts nobody even wants to but that's another story wait for the movie I guess...... I met red fox.... Jan-Michael Vincent Carol Burnett once I got to know a bunch of those feeling freaks out and Hollywood once or twice weird existence out there... lots of hot babes I ended up with the meatball from All in the Family old Ford..... got to know a bunch of really interesting people but that's not my Cuppa tea I sure would like to meet David Jensen but it's probably just like any other guy trying to have a little fun in his off time anyway good movie enjoyed it thanks for copying it from the TV and putting it on the internet I don't have a copy anymore but maybe I'll go out and get one soon thanks much

I saw this in the mid 70s and thought then and even now its some of the best helicopter stunt flying I have ever seen in a movie, another movie came out in the 80s called Deadly Encounter with Larry Hagman with the same basic plot but in my opinion this is still better as most originals are.

I remember this movie when I was in Jr High. We waited for for months. They didnt make movies where the helicopter was the star back then. The Green Beret and this movie and Apocalypse Now led me into the Helicopter industry. Its an addiction worse than drugs or alcohol......and more expensive.

So encouragin 4 sure 👑

My apologies to Aileen Wagner, who's comment I inadvertently deleted. Fortunately I can re-post it from the email notification: "I did not understand the description. Are u saying that both helicopters from this movie we're destroyed? One from a luggage cart and the other from contaminated fuel? Sorry, I just didn't get. This is a great movie!!"

the one most--want--video---on my wish list---here it is------WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good one! 👍

I AGREE WITH you DAN.

Superb movie. It has all the qualifications for noir except for not being in black and white.

I think this is the wrong movie I was looking for

I saw it yeats back. Never have been able to find it in dvd but would love to have it. Does anyone know what the robbers bird was i love the look of it. Seen a few but don't know the make and model. Please respond. Thanks

Lovely Salt Lake City scenery. And fun 40's tinged soundtrack. I'm partial to David Janssen. Just saw Ralph Meeker in Kiss Me Deadly last week. Thanks for posting!

EN ESPAÑOL LATINO HABRÍA SIDO FORMIDABLE ENCONTRARLA , PERO AUN ASÍ , AGRADEZCO ÉSTE APORTE.

I loved this movie as a kid. As an adult - when they both rest at 28:00 - why didn't the police send out other choppers?

Wish "Smile Jenny, You're Dead" was available!!

I did not understand the description. Are u saying that both helicopters from this movie were destroyed? One from a luggage cart and the other from contaminated fuel? Sorry, I just didn't get. This is a great movie!!

the p40 flashbacks are so cool

Is this the version with the original soundtrack?

WHY would Max try to rescue and save the MONEY, putting his own life and Walker's at risk?

David Janssen singing that silly song my gran used to sing to us when we were babies? !! Wtf? Dr. Kimble wouldn't be caught dead....lol

there is a larry hagman--copy--story---film----{{{{DEADLY ENCOUNTERS}}}}}}}}

Wow.. Computers took over human reasoning and thinking as far back as '73? I'd say much earlier than that! But! I loved this film as a child. Cried when the hero died! But learned just who can a child rely on..?!

Why are 500s flown from left seat not right?