"Nightwing" - A Masterclass in Missed Opportunities, part of the Briterion Collection

    Our selection of airborne horror for the Briterion Collection is limited, my friends. When you are in the mood for a death from above flick, you could do worse than this film. You could do worse, but you would really have to try. Prepare yourself for the the high-flying spectacle of 1979's "Nightwing." Where the literary world gave us excellence, the cinematic universe provided...well, bats in the belfry.

    Martin Cruz Smith penned a riveting novel filled with suspense, intrigue, Native American spiritualism, and a look at racial implications of the Native Americans in the 1970s. Much more meat than one might think of the bones based on the novel cover. I adored this book! And while I thoroughly enough its cinematic counterpart, it is for completely different reasons. Let’s just say the movie adaptation was like reading the book, but with every other page torn out.

    Carlos Rambaldi's effects missed the mark on this movie. He was known for making the head of "Alien", the visitors in "Close Encounters" and the creature in "E.T." Yet his otherworldly talent fell short when on this side of the solar system. The bats look like they were ordered from the back of a comic book and then tied to fishing line above the actors' heads like a lame April Fool's Day joke. Label that missed opportunity #1.

    It had wonderful cast, including David Warner (Tron, Waxwork), Stephen Macht (Monster Squad, The Graveyard Shift), and Kathryn Harrold (Raw Deal, Modern Romance) who I could see as the perfect visual realization of characters from the book. They acted well, despite the ludicrous circus of a script in which they had to perform. What failed to hit the target here was the pivotal romantic chemistry between Anne (Harrold) and Walker Chee (Macht). The then-taboo relationship between a white woman and a Native American man that broke societal barriers in the book was lackluster and unbelievable in the film. Missed opportunity #2.

    In its muddled attempt at storytelling, "Nightwing" somehow stumbled upon a goldmine of positive themes and social commentary. The film genuinely tried to delve deep into the challenges faced by Native American communities, offering insights into their cultural heritage, struggles, and spiritual beliefs. Rather than embracing this enlightening social commentary, someone yelled, "Release the bats!" and what could've been a poignant story of survival and spirituality turned into a derivative of "Birds" (but with bats, of course). The film seemed caught in an identity crisis, torn between wanting to be a "Jaws" knockoff, an insightful creature film, or a critical commentary on societal issues.

    Another major flaw in writing and execution was the Native American witch doctor character, Abner Tasupi (played by George Clutesi of Prophecy fame). The introduction of the spiritualistic end of the world was intriguing, but ultimately was left on the dessert cart tray as it rolled by us. Taunting us with the possibilities but failing to grab the goodies and devour them. Worst of all, there was no excuse for this as Martin Cruz Smith co-wrote the movie. Missed opportunity #3 is the writing, completely lost in translation by its own author!?

    "Nightwing" is a beautiful film set against the gorgeous backdrop of the American Southwest. To continue the restaurant analogy, on one plate, you have an earnest attempt at social commentary; on another, some humorous special effects that seem to belong in a completely different genre. And, on a tiny saucer somewhere to the side, you find traces of the excellent source material, largely ignored but casting a longing shadow over what might have been. Missed opportunity #4? Or is that from #3? I've lost track. There were so many arrows that flew past the target on this one.

    Yet in spite of these flaws, the film is re-watchable and entertaining. It is escapism that is fueled by a brooding atmosphere like ghost stories by campfire. It is a "fear of the dark" film and a fun frolic in phobia. "Nightwing" is a fun, campy, and unintentionally humorous film that flies under the RADAR to become one of the Briterion Collection as a floundering "what could have been" flops in movie adaptation.