The Owl (1991 film)

The Owl is a 1991 American action television film inspired by the 1984 novel of the same name[1] by Bob Forward. The film, intended as a pilot for a series on CBS, was written and directed by Tom Holland, who chose to be credited as "Alan Smithee" on the later extended home video release.[2] The film starred Adrian Paul, Patricia Charbonneau, Brian Thompson, and Erika Flores.

The Owl
Title card
GenreAction
Based onThe Owl
by Bob Forward
Written byTom Holland
Directed byTom Holland (as Alan Smithee)
StarringAdrian Paul
Music bySylvester Levay
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersTom Holland
Kim LeMasters
ProducersJoel Simon
Bill Todman Jr.
Bob Forward
CinematographySteve Yaconelli
EditorCasey Brown
Running time48 minutes (TV)
84 minutes (home video)
Production companyLorimar Film Entertainment
Release
Original networkCBS
Original releaseAugust 3, 1991 (1991-08-03)

Plot

Alex L'Hiboux, a ruthless mercenary-cum-vigilante, is known as "the Owl" because he never sleeps. His insomnia comes from a combination of a medical disorder and recurring nightmares of the murder of his wife and daughter. Alex is approached by Lisa, a young girl whose father is missing. She awakens painful memories of his own child, but after some persuasion from a policewoman friend, he agrees to help her.

Cast

Broadcast and home media

The film was broadcast as a television pilot on CBS from 10:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on Saturday, August 3, 1991, but was not picked up as a series.[3] The TV broadcast ran 48 minutes, while the later home video release runs 84 minutes. Reviewer Eoin of theactionelite.com explained this difference, writing, "The length was doubled by padding it with deleted scenes (including Holland’s cameo as a rapist), and tedious montages were created utilizing every bit of alternate footage imaginable. Holland was so disgusted by the extended version that he had his directorial credit switched to Alan Smithee – though many video boxes still touted him as the director."[2]

Reception

In a critical review of the film, David Bushman of Variety wrote, "unfortunately, it can't resist the temptation to be cute and sentimental, and thus it often loses momentum."[3]

References
  1. The Owl, Pinnacle Books, August 1984; ISBN 978-0-523-42194-0
  2. "The Owl (1991) - Tom Holland's Director's Cut". 9 March 2018.
  3. Variety TV REV 1991-92 17. Taylor & Francis. March 2, 1994. ISBN 9780824037963 – via Google Books.


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