Megaforce [DVD] [1982] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

I was fortunate enough to have been flying C-130 Hercules from Dyess Air Force Base when this film was made. A call went out for volunteers to go to Las Vegas for an unknown "film project". Most of the guys in the squadron demurred, thinking it would be an "Air Force Now" recruiting propaganda film, and a general hassle. I, on the other hand, would have crawled through shredded glass on hands and knees for ANY excuse to escape West Texas for awhile.

When we contacted McCarran Int'l (Vegas) Airport, we were vectored South and given a radio frequency to contact a Forward Air Control team. They brought us in to land on a dry lake bed. No sweat, this is what the Herc was born to do.

The first clue that something very unusual was up came when a modern, fully air conditioned bus picked us up at the airplane. This was NOT standard USAF procedure! We drove around a sand dune and saw . . . well, I can only describe it as being very much like a circus tent. We were escorted in, and found it was a huge kitchen, serving steaks, lobsters, salads, and everything in between.

We were filled in that we were to fly in a "Major Hollywood Motion Picture" by Hal Needham. It was made clear from the outset that it was intended to be campy, cheesy, ridiculous, and fun. And so it was.

From the tent we were taken to a hotel on the strip, where we each got private rooms (again, not USAF standard), free meal passes, and best of all, invitations to screen the nightly "rushes" or raw footage. There was a buffet and open bar (Yay!) each evening, and we ate and drank liberally while howling at the truly loony dialogue and effects each night.

Meantime, we were flying some extreme tactical operations (which unfortunately do not look as hairy on camera as they felt from the cockpit. At one point in the rushes you could see the bird flying so low that it was kicking up dust devils from the propeller vortices. Unfortunately, our command didn't want that bit on film where the taxpayers and the Brass could see it, and it was cut).

I've been looking for a copy to show my kids and, having found it here, MUST have it!

It was a great, great week or so in the desert, and I shall be ever grateful for the experience. In fact, I still occasionally wear my old "Megaforce Official" windbreaker and belt buckle, which were given to each of us on departure.

Kelly "Not that they aren't a tad tighter these days" Fitzpatrick

So there have been a few reviews noting the sound inconsistency with the recently-released Hen's Tooth DVD of Megaforce. I have purchased this edition and compared it to a rip of the Dutch DVD and agree that the Hen's Tooth (hereafter abbreviated, "HT") DVD does indeed sport an audio mix wherein the voices do sound higher than the original release. As a believer in preserving films in their original form, I was disappointed with this oversight. I went to HT's website and sent them an email expressing my (and others') concerns. I received a reply from Steven Newmark, the president of Hen's Tooth Video:

"Yes, we have heard from several people about this.

We are in the process of examining our master and our engineer is doing some
comparisons.

We don't think this is an issue of speed but perhaps of EQ. I will write to
you when any decision is made."

So there you have it. Unknown yet if, once the audio is corrected, we will be able to send in our discs and have them replaced like the Back to the Future widescreen/cropping issue when those films first hit DVD, but I will keep this post updated with new info as I receive it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'VE GOT A DATE IN LONDON!!!

UPDATE FROM HEN'S TOOTH, 10/29/12

Here is the email I just got from Steve Newmark, President of Hen's Tooth Video:

"An alternative disc for MEGAFORCE with re-sourced audio is now available. If you wish to exchange a disc you have already purchased for the alternate disc you should mail the DISC ONLY to:

Hen's Tooth Video

1304 N. Garden Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

Please include your name and a mailing address for delivery by USPS.

IMPORTANT: Please remember to send only the disc without the packaging.

Thank you for your patience.

Steven Newmark / President

Hen's Tooth Video"

I will update again when I receive the new disc and listen to the new audio.

UPDATE: 11/5/12 RECEIVED NEW DISC FROM HEN'S TOOTH TODAY

Got my replacement disc in the mail today after sending it out less than a week ago. I put it in my computer and ran it side-by-side with a decent widescreen Region 2 dvd rip I found. I'm happy to report that the Hen's Tooth dvd audio issue seems to be fixed! I didn't run it through a frequency analyzer or anything that extensive; I produce music in a home studio and have decent monitor speakers and a fairly trained ear for this sort of thing, and my initial reaction is that the sound is where it should be. Not sure if Hen's Tooth will be releasing a new batch with corrected audio, or if a buyer will just have to go through the above process of sending the dvd back and having them replace it, but for now, it might not be a bad idea to factor in the cost of shipping it back to Hen's Tooth in the sale price (I spent about $4 to send it first class certified).

I would also like to note that after having this dvd run next to a rip that the picture on this dvd is quite sharp and cleaned up! It's nice to finally have the audio to go with it.

Spread the cheese!!!! Someone should release this classic 80s action flick! As one reviewer pointed out, MegaForce mirrors US' post 9/11 strategy, it might be DubYah's favorite movie.

What I remember about this movie when I saw it as a kid, was the cool rocket-firing motorcycles (which later appeared in the PC game Command & Conquer), the dune buggies (which became real in the US Army's Fast Attack Vehicle) and other fantastic military hardware. Also, no bullet nor projectile can't touch Barry Bostwick despite in a motorcycle without any armor! And as far as I remember, they were facing a Mexican dictator! How's that for fostering good relations with your neighbors?

My memory of this movie is rather sketchy, but I knew I loved it so please I want to relive my more innocent days and please release this on DVD!!!! Get Megaforce and watch it back to back with GI Joe the movie!