''Spider-Man Strikes Back'' is a 1978 American

superhero film A superhero film (or superhero movie) is a film that focuses on the actions of superheroes. Superheroes are individuals who possess superhuman abilities and are dedicated to protecting the public. These films typically feature action, advent ...

that had a theatrical release abroad, a composite of the two-parter episode "Deadly Dust" of the contemporary television show ''

The Amazing Spider-Man ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man as its main protagonist. Being in the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a bimonthly per ...

'', released on 8 May 1978. It was directed by Ron Satlof, written by Robert Janes and stars

Nicholas Hammond Nicholas Hammond (born May 15, 1950) is an American-born Australian actor and writer who is best known for his roles as Friedrich von Trapp in the film ''The Sound of Music'' and as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the 1970s television series ''The A ...

as the titular character,

Robert Alda Robert Alda (born Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo; February 26, 1914 – May 3, 1986) was an Italian-American theatrical and film actor, a singer, and a dancer. He was the father of actors Alan and Antony Alda. Alda was featured in a ...

Robert F. Simon Robert Frank Simon (December 2, 1908 – November 29, 1992) was an American character actor. Earlier years Simon began acting with Mansfield's Community Players organization when he worked as a clerk in a meat market. Following that experience ...

Joanna Cameron Patricia Kara Cameron (September 20, 1948 – October 15, 2021), sometimes credited as JoAnna Cameron, was an American actress and model, perhaps best known for her portrayal of the title role on ''Isis'', a 1970s children's television series, wh ...

, and

Michael Pataki Michael Pataki (January 16, 1938 – April 15, 2010) was an American actor. Early life Pataki was born in Youngstown, Ohio. His parents were Hungarians. He was the youngest of three children - one older brother and one older sister. He atten ...

. The film was preceded by '' Spider-Man'' and followed by '' Spider-Man: The Dragon's Challenge''.

Plot

The film begins with the FDNY, NYPD, and ambulances rushing to a building. A woman who has recently been in a failed relationship is about to end her life, but Spider-Man saves her at the last minute, to the applause of the crowd below. At the New York State University, Dr. Baylor, one of Peter Parker's tutors announces that they are going to carry out an experiment using plutonium. A group of students, including Peter, are appalled as they think it's too dangerous. Later on, Peter meets an attractive journalist named Gale Hoffman, who is determined to get an interview with Spider-Man following his heroism in the distraught woman's rescue. Later, three students steal some plutonium from the lab. They want to use the plutonium to build an atomic bomb in order to illustrate about the dangers of nuclear power. Spider-Man appears on the scene in an unsuccessful attempt to stop them but is seen by security guards. When one of the activists faints, the other two realize she has radiation poisoning and terminate their plans in order to rush her to the hospital. As a result, the police blame Spider-Man for the theft, while Inspector Decarlo accuses Peter Parker. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, villain Mr. White reads a newspaper report of the theft and deduces that it was the students rather than Spider-Man who stole the radioactive material. He plans to steal the plutonium so that he can obtain his own version of the weapon. He departs immediately for the United States with his monstrous henchman, Angel. White tries to kidnap Peter, in an effort to locate the plutonium, but he manages to escape. Peter then gets arrested by the NYPD, but escapes detainment as Spider-Man. White's henchmen engage in a fight against Spider-Man and hurl him off a twelve-story building, seemingly to his death. He saves himself by forming a net with his webbing, but in the confusion, White escapes with the bomb. Spider-Man is forced to defeat this scheming villain in order to stop him blowing up Wall Street. J. Jonah Jameson, the owner of ''

The Daily Bugle The ''Daily Bugle'' (at one time ''The DB'') is a fictional New York City tabloid newspaper appearing as a plot element in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The ''Daily Bugle'' is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, mos ...

'', discovers that White has fled to Los Angeles and arranges for Peter Parker and Gale Hoffman to travel to the west coast in search of him. Mr. White demands $1,000,000,000 in return for not setting off the plutonium bomb in a heavily populated area. The authorities assume that he means New York City. In fact, White plans to set off the bomb in Los Angeles at the time the

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...

is giving a speech there. Spider-Man finally tracks White to his lair and learns of his plans. He locates the bomb and defuses it at the last second. However, White escapes and vows that he and Spider-Man will meet again.

Cast

- Peter Parker / Spider-Man *

Chip Fields Chip Fields, sometimes credited as Chip Hurd or Chip Fields-Hurd, is an American singer, actress, television director, and producer who has appeared in popular films, television shows, and Broadway theatre. She is best known for portraying Lyne ...

- Rita Conway *

– J. Jonah Jameson *

– Mr. White *

– Captain Barbera *

- Gale Hoffman * Leigh Kavanaugh - Linda * Lawrence P. Casey - Angel * Sidney Clute - Inspector DeCarlo *

Emil Farkas Emil Farkas (born 1946) is an American martial arts instructor and writer known for his appearances in numerous films and in television shows. Life Farkas was born in Hungary in 1946. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Farkas' father decid ...

- Karate Thug * Simon Scott - Dr. Baylor * Ron Hajak - Motorcycle Salesman

Release

The film was theatrically released in European territories on 8 May 1978. It received a VHS release in 1980.

Critical reception

From a contemporary review, Richard Combs of the ''

Monthly Film Bulletin ''The Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 to April 1991, when it merged with '' Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those with ...

'' declared the film was a "cut-price '' Superman''" finding that Nicholas Hammond as

Peter Parker Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appearance, first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August ...

was a "good-natured earnestness one associates with Clark Kent, rather than with the gauche, spotty adolescent of the original character" and that the plot concentrates on the stunt-work with "sleek but unexciting villainy of '' Charlie's Angels'' is also lacking the stylistic wallop of the comic strip". The film has been noted for its low budget and lack of technical effects.

Sequel

'' Spider-Man: The Dragon's Challenge'', a composite of the two-parter episode "The Chinese Web" of the contemporary television show ''

'', screened in European theaters on 3 February 1981.

References

Sources

External links

* {{Marvel Comics TV 1978 films 1970s action films American television films Spider-Man films Films set in New York City Films shot in Los Angeles The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV and film series) Columbia Pictures films Sony Pictures films Films directed by Ron Satlof 1970s English-language films 1970s American films Live-action films based on Marvel Comics