Nick Knight

Rating:
Summary: He Wants to Repay Society for His Sins....
Review: In the 1989 TV flick NICK KNIGHT, rocker (1981's Grammy-winning "Jessie's Girl") and soap-opera star (GENERAL HOSPITAL, 1981-1983) Rick Springfield portrays Nick Knight, a homicide detective on the night shift who has a reputation for being a loner and a maverick. But he's a good cop, and he's hip. He drives a cool vintage Caddy, looks good in black leather, and has a soft spot in his heart for the homeless (he often checks up on them when he's out on his "beat"). Oh, yeah--and he's also a guilt-ridden vampire in quest of a cure for his supernatural malady. Solving crimes, specifically homicides, is sort of his way of paying penance for the murderous, blood-sucking sins of his past.

Though often neglected or overlooked, NICK KNIGHT is an intelligent, skillfully written, and well-acted TV film that was actually the original pilot for the popular cult TV series FOREVER KNIGHT (1992-1996). One reason that this film is nearly forgotten might be the fact that the same story was re-shot with the TV cast and subsequently aired as the series' two-part opener. While the cast of the series does a fine job-the excellent cast is, of course, one of many reasons that the show quickly became a cult favorite--NICK KNIGHT is in many ways superior to the two-part remake, and it is therefore unfortunate that the series has eclipsed the original film and pushed it into near obscurity.

The acting in NICK KNIGHT is superb, especially considering that it is a made-for-TV flick. In the titular role, Springfield delivers a strong, convincing performance and has great chemistry with the rest of the cast. Also intriguing is Laura Johnson, who plays museum curator Alyce Hunter and Knight's love interest. Not only is she a good actress and quite attractive, but Ms. Johnson and Springfield really sizzle together when they share screen time. Genre fans might recognize Michael Nader from his role as Nicolas Pike in TV's short-lived 1990 series THE FLASH, but couch potatoes are more likely to recognize him from his long-standing role as Farnsworth Dexter on TV's nighttime soap DYNASTY. Here he plays Nick's longtime nemesis, Lacroix. (Nader does a good job in the role, though he is admittedly not as compelling--nor as accomplished an actor--as Nigel Bennett, who assumes the role in the series.) As the film's comic relief, John Kapelos is hilariously entertaining in the role of Nick's annoyingly self-absorbed partner Don Schanke, and he often steals the scenes he is in. Interestingly, Kapelos is the only actor in the film who returns to reprise his role for the TV series.

The film itself has really stood up well over time. Aside from the 1980's pop tunes in the soundtrack and a few cheesy special FX, there isn't much that reveals NICK KNIGHT to be a product of late-1980s TV. The script is tight and interesting, the characters are likable and realistic, the directing is top-notch, and, as mentioned before, the acting is excellent. All in all, the film is a forgotten gem that, like its vampire characters, deserves to rise from the dead and live forever.

And thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay, NICK KNIGHT has been resurrected on DVD. True, he offering is a bare-bones disc--i.e., there are no extras or bonus features--but the digital transfer is drastically better than the previous VHS releases of the film, and the sound quality is pretty good. And being a telefilm, it is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1.

For fans of the TV show FOREVER KNIGHT who did not see this pilot film prior to the creation of the series, it might take a little time to warm up to the alternate actors and the character variations. But if viewed an open mind, any fan of the TV series should enjoy NICK KNIGHT, and any fan of the vampire genre will want to add the DVD of this excellent film to their collections.

Definitely worth amazon.com's reasonable price of admission.

Rating:
Summary: He Wants to Repay Society for His Sins....
Review: In the 1989 TV flick NICK KNIGHT, rocker (1981's Grammy-winning "Jessie's Girl") and soap-opera star (GENERAL HOSPITAL, 1981-1983) Rick Springfield portrays Nick Knight, a homicide detective on the night shift who has a reputation for being a loner and a maverick. But he's a good cop, and he's hip. He drives a cool vintage Caddy, looks good in black leather, and has a soft spot in his heart for the homeless (he often checks up on them when he's out on his "beat"). Oh, yeah--and he's also a guilt-ridden vampire in quest of a cure for his supernatural malady. Solving crimes, specifically homicides, is sort of his way of paying penance for the murderous, blood-sucking sins of his past.

Though often neglected or overlooked, NICK KNIGHT is an intelligent, skillfully written, and well-acted TV film that was actually the original pilot for the popular cult TV series FOREVER KNIGHT (1992-1996). One reason that this film is nearly forgotten might be the fact that the same story was re-shot with the TV cast and subsequently aired as the series' two-part opener. While the cast of the series does a fine job-the excellent cast is, of course, one of many reasons that the show quickly became a cult favorite--NICK KNIGHT is in many ways superior to the two-part remake, and it is therefore unfortunate that the series has eclipsed the original film and pushed it into near obscurity.

The acting in NICK KNIGHT is superb, especially considering that it is a made-for-TV flick. In the titular role, Springfield delivers a strong, convincing performance and has great chemistry with the rest of the cast. Also intriguing is Laura Johnson, who plays museum curator Alyce Hunter and Knight's love interest. Not only is she a good actress and quite attractive, but Ms. Johnson and Springfield really sizzle together when they share screen time. Genre fans might recognize Michael Nader from his role as Nicolas Pike in TV's short-lived 1990 series THE FLASH, but couch potatoes are more likely to recognize him from his long-standing role as Farnsworth Dexter on TV's nighttime soap DYNASTY. Here he plays Nick's longtime nemesis, Lacroix. (Nader does a good job in the role, though he is admittedly not as compelling--nor as accomplished an actor--as Nigel Bennett, who assumes the role in the series.) As the film's comic relief, John Kapelos is hilariously entertaining in the role of Nick's annoyingly self-absorbed partner Don Schanke, and he often steals the scenes he is in. Interestingly, Kapelos is the only actor in the film who returns to reprise his role for the TV series.

The film itself has really stood up well over time. Aside from the 1980's pop tunes in the soundtrack and a few cheesy special FX, there isn't much that reveals NICK KNIGHT to be a product of late-1980s TV. The script is tight and interesting, the characters are likable and realistic, the directing is top-notch, and, as mentioned before, the acting is excellent. All in all, the film is a forgotten gem that, like its vampire characters, deserves to rise from the dead and live forever.

And thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay, NICK KNIGHT has been resurrected on DVD. True, he offering is a bare-bones disc--i.e., there are no extras or bonus features--but the digital transfer is drastically better than the previous VHS releases of the film, and the sound quality is pretty good. And being a telefilm, it is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1.

For fans of the TV show FOREVER KNIGHT who did not see this pilot film prior to the creation of the series, it might take a little time to warm up to the alternate actors and the character variations. But if viewed an open mind, any fan of the TV series should enjoy NICK KNIGHT, and any fan of the vampire genre will want to add the DVD of this excellent film to their collections.

Definitely worth amazon.com's reasonable price of admission.

Rating:
Summary: movie that started the fuss
Review: Like others I have watched both the tv version and this. Nick is a much deeper character, LaCroix a shade [ok a deeper] evil and perhaps more complex. The filming is more complex.

Perhaps this is one of my frustrations with the TV show. It seemed dumbed down as if the writers and makers where sure we weren't bright enough to catch any implications they might throw at us so buff it over lightly and ignore. I was constantly saying "That could have been GREAT if only... Darn it they did it again and missed." With the movie well...

The film does NOT do this. It has a depth that the TV never made it to. Major characters from the tv show are missing, such as Nat [thank you thank you].

Nick is believable as a haunted knight errant seeking salvation in a world that is not so nice sometimes. The character is fully developed and interesting. When it ended I wanted more of THIS Nick. Sadly what followed [on TV] didn't give me that.

The list could go on.

Rating:
Summary: I remember this being better
Review: Ok, this was the pilot that after a good number of changes became the cult classic tv show "Forever Knight". Rick Springfield did fine but I'm glad the television show got rid of most of the actors except for our dear friend Detective Skanky -- what a name to be stuck with in life. The first two episodes of the television series basically redoes this movie so you dont' need to get it as a supplment. But if you watched when it was on tv like I did you may want it as a momento.

Rating:
Summary: I remember this being better
Review: Ok, this was the pilot that after a good number of changes became the cult classic tv show "Forever Knight". Rick Springfield did fine but I'm glad the television show got rid of most of the actors except for our dear friend Detective Skanky -- what a name to be stuck with in life. The first two episodes of the television series basically redoes this movie so you dont' need to get it as a supplment. But if you watched when it was on tv like I did you may want it as a momento.

Rating:
Summary: I thought it to be a rather dark piece for network TV
Review: Sad to say that I had this on tape when it was aired originally on CBS. it is a Nobol effort for Rick to try and get a new series started. It does not seem to be the best story out there..

He played a man who was under the vampire curse. He is trying to find a way to become a mere mortal again while balancing a case where people are being killed for their blood...

...P>The only thing Rick had going for him was his looks and the great songs that were added in....

Rating:
Summary: GREAT VAMPIRE MOVIE.
Review: THIS WAS A GREAT PILOT TO A SERIES THAT I WISH WOULD HAVE HAD MORE SUCCESS. IT WAS VERY SOLID AT BALANCING THE CRIME DRAMA ASPECT AND THE SUPERNATURAL. IT WAS ALSO ABOUT 8 YEARS BEFORE "BUFFY" EVER INTRODUCED THE VAMPIRE WITH A SOUL IDEA. BUT FOR SOME REASON "BUFFY" SKYROCKETED TO FAME WHILE THIS MOVIE, DEVELOPED LATER INTO THE SERIES CALLED "FOREVER KNIGHT," DIDN'T. AND THAT'S TOO BAD,IT WAS A VERY GOOD PILOT AND T.V. SERIES.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT VAMPIRE MOVIE.
Review: THIS WAS A GREAT PILOT TO A SERIES THAT I WISH WOULD HAVE HAD MORE SUCCESS. IT WAS VERY SOLID AT BALANCING THE CRIME DRAMA ASPECT AND THE SUPERNATURAL. IT WAS ALSO ABOUT 8 YEARS BEFORE "BUFFY" EVER INTRODUCED THE VAMPIRE WITH A SOUL IDEA. BUT FOR SOME REASON "BUFFY" SKYROCKETED TO FAME WHILE THIS MOVIE, DEVELOPED LATER INTO THE SERIES CALLED "FOREVER KNIGHT," DIDN'T. AND THAT'S TOO BAD,IT WAS A VERY GOOD PILOT AND T.V. SERIES.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT VAMPIRE MOVIE.
Review: THIS WAS A GREAT PILOT TO A SERIES THAT I WISH WOULD HAVE HAD MORE SUCCESS. IT WAS VERY SOLID AT BALANCING THE CRIME DRAMA ASPECT AND THE SUPERNATURAL. IT WAS ALSO ABOUT 8 YEARS BEFORE "BUFFY" EVER INTRODUCED THE VAMPIRE WITH A SOUL IDEA. BUT FOR SOME REASON "BUFFY" SKYROCKETED TO FAME WHILE THIS MOVIE, DEVELOPED LATER INTO THE SERIES CALLED "FOREVER KNIGHT," DIDN'T. AND THAT'S TOO BAD,IT WAS A VERY GOOD PILOT AND T.V. SERIES.

Rating:
Summary: He Wants to be Human Again
Review: This was a made for television movie starring actor/singer Rick Springfield and was the predecessor of the relatively short lived but still a cult favorite television series "Forever Knight" which starred Geraint Wyn Davies as Nick Knight. The premise is Nick is a vampire that wants to regain his mortality. He's working as a cop on the night shift while the forensic surgeon on duty tries to help him become human again. In the meantime, his nemesis, Lacroix, who was the one who originally turned Nick into a vampire will do anything to stop Nick from his quest for mortality. It's a great story and hopefully this movie and the television series will eventually come out on DVD.