Buck Rogers (the always engaging Gil Gerard) takes the place of a convict so he can spring the sassy Jen Barton (a pleasingly spunky performance by Jamie Lee Curtis) out of prison. The bickering pair have to trek across the desert. They are relentlessly pursued by a malfunctioning, but seemingly unstoppable robot guard (hulking behemoth Walter Hunter). Director Dick Lowry, working from an engrossing script by Bill Taylor, relates the enjoyable story at a steady pace, makes the most out of the desolate desert location, and tops everything off with a few nice touches of cheeky humor. Gerard and Curtis display a good crackling screen chemistry; their sharp and funny verbal sparring keeps the show buzzing throughout. The rest of the guest cast are likewise up to speed: Michael Delano sneers it up well as slimy no-count baddie Michael Pantera, Bert Rosario gives an amusing portrayal of wormy rat Sergio Sanwiler, and veteran character actor Robert Cornthwaite contributes a sturdy and respectable turn as conflicted ambassador Warwick. As a sweet extra bonus, the shapely Curtis looks positively smashing in a tight clingy orange outfit in the first half (she later changes into a yummy dress with a slit on one side that shows off a lot of leg), the insanely foxy Tara Buckman gets guys' pulses racing with her sexy part as Pantera's luscious accomplice Majel, and the ever-fetching Erin Gray as Wilma Deering sports a form-fitting red spandex number that really flatters her sensationally slim figure. The expected cruddy matte paintings, rubbery creatures, and rinky-dink plasticky props further enhance the endearingly tacky charm of this typically fun episode.
8 Reviews
Jamie Lee Curtis makes this one a Treat, not a Trick
Fluke_Skywalker30 May 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Plot; Buck infiltrates an underground prison to free a young woman who can implicate her former boyfriend and a high ranking official in an intergalactic criminal operation.
All of the 'Buck Rogers' staples are here. Cheap sets. Bad matte paintings. A hirsute Gil Gerard in a skin tight outfit that looks like someone trying to pull a sock over a bowling ball. But what sets this one apart is an appearance by none other than Jamie Lee Curtis! Coming almost a year to the day after her star making turn in John Carpenter's horror classic 'Halloween', I'm a bit surprised, but pleasantly so, to see her slumming it in a guest starring role on 'Buck Rogers'. As you would expect, she takes a pedestrian role and makes it jog, if not exactly run. And she looks fabulous doing it.
But the real star of this episode may be character actor Bert Rosario as the wonderfully named Sergio Sanwiler. He really sinks his teeth into his role as a slimy hustler, helping this to be one of the more generically entertaining episodes of the series thus far.
All of the 'Buck Rogers' staples are here. Cheap sets. Bad matte paintings. A hirsute Gil Gerard in a skin tight outfit that looks like someone trying to pull a sock over a bowling ball. But what sets this one apart is an appearance by none other than Jamie Lee Curtis! Coming almost a year to the day after her star making turn in John Carpenter's horror classic 'Halloween', I'm a bit surprised, but pleasantly so, to see her slumming it in a guest starring role on 'Buck Rogers'. As you would expect, she takes a pedestrian role and makes it jog, if not exactly run. And she looks fabulous doing it.
But the real star of this episode may be character actor Bert Rosario as the wonderfully named Sergio Sanwiler. He really sinks his teeth into his role as a slimy hustler, helping this to be one of the more generically entertaining episodes of the series thus far.
Buck springs earth woman Jamie Leigh Curtis from alien prison
jefffisher65-708-54115814 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Unchained Woman guest-stars Jamie Leigh Curtis who was a very hot property at this time in the role of Jen Burton, girlfriend of a criminal which is causing Earth considerable grief. She's taken the rap for him, and wound up in an underground prison which he has(of course) promised to help her escape from. escape she does with our hero Buck's help who arrives after taking the place of a convict on a prison-transport spacecraft, then the two head for a town across the desert landscape.
Unfortunately, they are pursued by Huge, android guard from the prison, who seems almost indestructible; eventually reaching a rather sleazy town where delectable Erin Gray shows up as Wilma to aid Buck; a final showdown with Hugo(played by huge Walter Hunter) seemingly takes out the persistent pursuer, and also results in the capture of the main bad guy, Pantera. Mention must be made of gorgeous Tara Buckman who is Pantara's latest female companion, an extremely sexy(if rather wicked, and not too bright) woman. On the way back to earth, Jen Burton decides to keep the prison tracking wristband; the final scene shows the now-clichéd arm of Hugo returning to "life," presumably to continue his pursuit of her when a spacecraft can be located for him.
This is a fun entry from the first season, as Gerard and Curtis play well off of each other, and Ms. Gray gets to show off another skin-tight body-hugging spandex outfit(how many of those did she go through, I wonder?) Veteran character actor Robert Cornthwaite does a nice job as the rather sad Ambassador Warwick, who has turned criminal, a friend of Dr. Huer's from their youth. I must admit the sand squid is even more fake, and rubbery than some other alien monsters on the series' run, but what the heck? It all went down well to a teenage guy regardless.
Unfortunately, they are pursued by Huge, android guard from the prison, who seems almost indestructible; eventually reaching a rather sleazy town where delectable Erin Gray shows up as Wilma to aid Buck; a final showdown with Hugo(played by huge Walter Hunter) seemingly takes out the persistent pursuer, and also results in the capture of the main bad guy, Pantera. Mention must be made of gorgeous Tara Buckman who is Pantara's latest female companion, an extremely sexy(if rather wicked, and not too bright) woman. On the way back to earth, Jen Burton decides to keep the prison tracking wristband; the final scene shows the now-clichéd arm of Hugo returning to "life," presumably to continue his pursuit of her when a spacecraft can be located for him.
This is a fun entry from the first season, as Gerard and Curtis play well off of each other, and Ms. Gray gets to show off another skin-tight body-hugging spandex outfit(how many of those did she go through, I wonder?) Veteran character actor Robert Cornthwaite does a nice job as the rather sad Ambassador Warwick, who has turned criminal, a friend of Dr. Huer's from their youth. I must admit the sand squid is even more fake, and rubbery than some other alien monsters on the series' run, but what the heck? It all went down well to a teenage guy regardless.
Jamie Lee Curtis Vs Hugo, the angry android.
BA_Harrison16 November 2007
Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Jen, the girlfriend of criminal Malary Pantera, who selflessly takes the rap for her man's crimes, naively expecting to be rescued by the untrustworthy slimeball. Luckily for Jen, she is 'busted out' of her high-security prison by 'fellow inmate' Buck (Gil Gerard), who needs her to spill the beans on her boyfriend's racket. Unfortunately, however, the fugitives are pursued by a badly damaged, but very persistent android guard, who just won't quit until he has them back in custody.
A product of the late 70s, this one features all the trappings one should expect in a sci-fi show from that era: women wearing lip-gloss and sporting Farrah Fawcett hair-dos, rather weak special effects (spacecraft with heavy black matte lines, unconvincing rubber creatures, etc.) and cheap looking sets and props (made from fancy 'space-age' materials such as coloured perspex).
As always, the women are gorgeous: Jamie Lee looks damn fine in her tight outfit (which shows off her exceptionally hot body), Tara Buckman plays the latest pretty 'moll' of space gangster Pantera, and they are, of course, joined by the sexiest ever woman to pilot a spacecraft on TV, the always delicious Erin Gray as Col. Wilma Deering (who wears a red shiny Spandex outfit in this particular episode) .
Meanwhile, Gerard does his usual cheeky rogue act and throws a few poorly choreographed punches (along with some flimsy props), Hugo the relentless android kicks a couple of polystyrene rocks, and Twiki, the robot with the peculiarly shaped head, says a few quaint 70s phrases to the amusement of his 25th Century pals.
A very entertaining episode from this gloriously cheesy series.
A product of the late 70s, this one features all the trappings one should expect in a sci-fi show from that era: women wearing lip-gloss and sporting Farrah Fawcett hair-dos, rather weak special effects (spacecraft with heavy black matte lines, unconvincing rubber creatures, etc.) and cheap looking sets and props (made from fancy 'space-age' materials such as coloured perspex).
As always, the women are gorgeous: Jamie Lee looks damn fine in her tight outfit (which shows off her exceptionally hot body), Tara Buckman plays the latest pretty 'moll' of space gangster Pantera, and they are, of course, joined by the sexiest ever woman to pilot a spacecraft on TV, the always delicious Erin Gray as Col. Wilma Deering (who wears a red shiny Spandex outfit in this particular episode) .
Meanwhile, Gerard does his usual cheeky rogue act and throws a few poorly choreographed punches (along with some flimsy props), Hugo the relentless android kicks a couple of polystyrene rocks, and Twiki, the robot with the peculiarly shaped head, says a few quaint 70s phrases to the amusement of his 25th Century pals.
A very entertaining episode from this gloriously cheesy series.
Buck Rogers: "Unchained Woman"
Wuchakk11 August 2017
PLOT: Masquerading as a prisoner, Buck infiltrates a desert penal colony on Zeta Minor in order to free an innocent inmate (Jamie Lee Curtis) who sacrificed her freedom for her unworthy beau, Malary Pantera (Michael DeLano). While their escape attempt is successful, they are relentlessly pursued by a damaged android that Buck amusingly dubs "Hugo" (Walter Hunter). Tara Buckman is on hand as Pantera's new babe.
COMMENTARY: This one's memorable for three things: (1.) a youthful Jamie Lee Curtis in tight red prison long johns (one year after starring in the heralded "Halloween"); (2.) the Terminator-like android five years before "Terminator" debuted (of course both were influenced by 1973's "Westworld" with its unstoppable Yul Brynner android); and (3.) several outdoor sequences, mostly in a vast, remote desert.
Unfortunately, for me, I was never big on Jamie Lee Curtis (which isn't to say I DON'T like her). Nevertheless, the story is pretty compelling and the desert locations are excellent (for a series mostly known for its plastic and flimsy indoor sets).
Pantera is Spanish for "panther," by the way, and reveals the namesake of the popular 90's band.
COMMENTARY: This one's memorable for three things: (1.) a youthful Jamie Lee Curtis in tight red prison long johns (one year after starring in the heralded "Halloween"); (2.) the Terminator-like android five years before "Terminator" debuted (of course both were influenced by 1973's "Westworld" with its unstoppable Yul Brynner android); and (3.) several outdoor sequences, mostly in a vast, remote desert.
Unfortunately, for me, I was never big on Jamie Lee Curtis (which isn't to say I DON'T like her). Nevertheless, the story is pretty compelling and the desert locations are excellent (for a series mostly known for its plastic and flimsy indoor sets).
Pantera is Spanish for "panther," by the way, and reveals the namesake of the popular 90's band.
Prison Break and the Android
claudio_carvalho15 November 2023
Buck Rogers poses as the prisoner Valzhan and goes undercover to the penal colony on Zeta Minor to escape with the inmate Jen Burton. Colonel Deering is waiting for them in a town in the desert to bring them home. The diplomat Ted Warwick in Zeta Minor has unsuccessfully tried to release her to bring to Earth to testify against the criminal and smuggler Malary Pantera. Jen Burton is Pantera's girlfriend and assumed his crimes and is doing time in prison, but she does not know that he has another girlfriend, Majel, and does not intend to help her to escape. Dr. Huer discloses his plan to Warwick, but he does not know that the diplomat is a traitor and partner of Pantera. The prison break works perfectly well and Buck Rogers and Jen walks through the desert to meet Wilma. But the relentless android Hugo and Pantera are hunting them down.
"Unchained Woman" is another good episode of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century". Prison break stories are generally great and this episode is no exception. First, because of Jamie Lee Curtis very young and beautiful in the role of the prisoner Jean Burton. But the indestructible android Hugo, years before The Terminator (but also years after Yul Brynner in Westworld) pursuing Buck Rogers and Jen Burton through the desert steals the show. Buck Rogers delivering his weapon to fight Hugo with bare hands is hilarious. The disappointment of Dr. Huer with his long-time friend Warwick is clear, but he never checks how the worker shot by the diplomat is. These failures are unforgivable. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Unchained Woman"
"Unchained Woman" is another good episode of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century". Prison break stories are generally great and this episode is no exception. First, because of Jamie Lee Curtis very young and beautiful in the role of the prisoner Jean Burton. But the indestructible android Hugo, years before The Terminator (but also years after Yul Brynner in Westworld) pursuing Buck Rogers and Jen Burton through the desert steals the show. Buck Rogers delivering his weapon to fight Hugo with bare hands is hilarious. The disappointment of Dr. Huer with his long-time friend Warwick is clear, but he never checks how the worker shot by the diplomat is. These failures are unforgivable. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Unchained Woman"
Unchained woman
coltras3531 March 2022
Buck infiltrates a penal colony where a criminal's flame (Jamie Lee Curtis) is kept and helps her escape so that she can testify against her flame (Pantera), but she is still in love with Pantera and doesn't believe Buck when he tells her that Pantera wants her dead.
This is a solid episode that isn't set on a ship but out in the open with the characters trekking across a desert where Buck and Jamie encounter a desert Octopus. The plot has plenty of twists, subplots that all link up and a killer android that puts the gunfighter of Westworld and the Terminator to shame in stubbornly trailing his prisoners.
This is a solid episode that isn't set on a ship but out in the open with the characters trekking across a desert where Buck and Jamie encounter a desert Octopus. The plot has plenty of twists, subplots that all link up and a killer android that puts the gunfighter of Westworld and the Terminator to shame in stubbornly trailing his prisoners.
5 years before the Terminator, there was... HUGO
rooprect10 May 2015
Ask any hopelessly dorky Buck Rogers fan, and you'll get the same: "Unchained Woman" is simply one of the best of the series. Its main draw is, of course, a mighty fine looking Jamie Lee Curtis in a tight red prison uniform, and of course there's the always mighty fine Erin Gray in her shimmering spandex. Both women are tough as nails while being deliciously feminine, and I think that's what put shows like this above the standard 70s damsel in distress cheese. On several occasions they save Buck's beefcakey butt.
But the icing on the cake is a very cool pre-Terminator story about a murderous android who will stop at nothing, travel the sands of time, and perhaps rip apart an awesomely cheesy giant squid to get to Buck and make him "report to the dayroom, escape is not possible". The butchering bucket of bolts is played by towering actor Walter Hunter who, bizarrely, never acted again according to IMDb. No matter, how could he ever top Hugo?
Although this predates Schwarzenegger's Terminator by 5 years, "Unchained Woman" is, itself, an unapologetic rip-off of the astounding "Westworld" (1973) starring Yul Brynner as the gunslinging gearbox who goes amuck and starts hunting the hero. If you haven't seen that movie, see it immediately after watching this.
In addition to the cornucopia of corny coolness I've already described, you can expect a dramatic & sobering subplot with the great Tim O'Connor ("Dr. Huer") who comes to a tense conflict of friendship and duty with his old friend. Subplots like this, along with the aforementioned badass chick themes, are what raised Buck Rogers a notch above the scifi fantasy cheese of prior generations.
If you're new to Buck Rogers, I think this is a great way to get your feet wet. And for you longtime fans of BR, who's with me on starting a kickstarter campaign to round up all the original actors to do a remake of this episode? Erin Gray, for one, is still quite the looker!
But the icing on the cake is a very cool pre-Terminator story about a murderous android who will stop at nothing, travel the sands of time, and perhaps rip apart an awesomely cheesy giant squid to get to Buck and make him "report to the dayroom, escape is not possible". The butchering bucket of bolts is played by towering actor Walter Hunter who, bizarrely, never acted again according to IMDb. No matter, how could he ever top Hugo?
Although this predates Schwarzenegger's Terminator by 5 years, "Unchained Woman" is, itself, an unapologetic rip-off of the astounding "Westworld" (1973) starring Yul Brynner as the gunslinging gearbox who goes amuck and starts hunting the hero. If you haven't seen that movie, see it immediately after watching this.
In addition to the cornucopia of corny coolness I've already described, you can expect a dramatic & sobering subplot with the great Tim O'Connor ("Dr. Huer") who comes to a tense conflict of friendship and duty with his old friend. Subplots like this, along with the aforementioned badass chick themes, are what raised Buck Rogers a notch above the scifi fantasy cheese of prior generations.
If you're new to Buck Rogers, I think this is a great way to get your feet wet. And for you longtime fans of BR, who's with me on starting a kickstarter campaign to round up all the original actors to do a remake of this episode? Erin Gray, for one, is still quite the looker!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
