The Highwayman (TV series)
- Sam J. Jones: Highwayman
- Jane Badler: Tanya Winthrop
- Tim Russ: D.C. Montana
- Mark " Jacko " Jackson: Jetto
Highwayman is an American action series starring Sam J. Jones in the title role. The series, set in the near future, was created by Glen A. Larson and Douglas Heyes. The pilot film ( mostly in Germany as two series episodes aired ) was presented on 20 September 1987 at U.S. television at NBC and led to a short-lived series, which consisted of only nine episodes. Between pilot and series, some changes were made to cast and format. By fans and critics, the series was often viewed as a mix of Mad Max and Knight Rider.
Action
The pilot and the series act by a mysterious group of U.S. Marshals, the so-called " Highwaymen ". Your task is to fight crime and to pursue bizarre phenomena. Each Highwayman has for this purpose a special high-tech truck with many special amenities.
The pilot introduced the heroes of the series, known only as " The Highwayman " (or "Highway "). From him and his past, the audience learns little. Highway driving a computer-based high-tech truck with a spherical cabin that belongs in reality to a helicopter ( an Aérospatiale SA 341/342 ). In the hold is still a futuristic sports car. At the same time appeared nor his mistress ( Claudia Christian ) and Mr. Toto (Stanford Egi ), an oriental engineering genius who invents a way to make the truck invisible. Highway meets in the course of the film on the ruthless Merrick, a car thief. Only with the help of five Outlaws he can stop Merrick.
After the pilot only Highwayman and his truck returned to the series. Now Highwayman no longer acted alone. At his side as a non-permanent partner and sidekick Jetto, a somewhat unconventional Highwayman occurred. He also got a boss named Tania Winthrop DC Montana as a technology specialist. Jetto got a truck from a futuristic car could be divided.
It was never clarified exactly who are under the Highwaymen. Obviously, they are beyond the police, but also come into conflict with the local authorities. Although the organization has similarities with the " Foundation for Law and Government" from Knight Rider, the bosses of The Highwayman seemed much more mysterious.
Although the series was very short, it was successfully demonstrated in France and the United Kingdom and had the German speaking very many fans.
After only nine episodes, the series was completed. There were a number of reasons, who spoke against the continuation. Thus, the ratings in the United States were not high enough to cover the high cost of production. In addition, the concept of the American television series of comic adventures changed at this time to more politically correct series in the 1990s.