Kojak (TV Series) Siege of Terror (1973) User Reviews

An excellent beginning.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 4 August 2018]

This is the premier episode of "Kojak"...a show I never watched back when it had its first run on television (I was 9....and not a huge fan of cop shows).

The story begins with, there is a robbery of an armored car. The cops learn about it quickly and give chase. However, instead of catching the gang, they end up barricaded inside a gun store...with hostages and, of course, tons of ammo and weapons. Lt. Kojak (Tell Savalas) arrives and takes charge of the hostage situation. But by now, the crooks have already shot two cops and have a history of VERY anti-social behaviors!

All in all, this is a very good opening episode for many reasons. First, it's tough and there's a lot of action. Second, it's a good showcase for Telly Savalas and does a lot to establish his character. Third, they were fortunate to get Harvey Keitel as one of the baddies. Well worth seeing....and I hope the rest of the episodes are just as good.

One Nasty and Volatile Hostage Crisis

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 6 November 2012]

The first episode of Kojak sure started off with a bang. A good citizen spots an armored car holdup in progress and dials 911. The Manhattan South plainclothes detectives respond and half the gang gets away with the loot, but the other half goes across the Williamsburg Bridge and wouldn't you know it they take refuge in a sporting goods store with hostages and all kinds of guns.

Telly Savalas in his first appearance as Lieutenant Theo Kojak has one nasty and volatile hostage crisis on his hands. Harvey Keitel who even as a stone cold killer exhibits a certain amount of charisma and this was at the time he was coming into his own as a player. This is an episode with a lot of tension. And those first 10 minutes with a police chase across the bridge to rival Bullitt was one slam bang way to get this series started.

Kojak as a series sure got noticed in its debut.

Good Start

[Morrisonhig · 8/10 · 20 July 2020]

To a good series.

If I had been one of the criminals I'd have given up early due to the presence of Kojak's secret weapon, the screeching member of the Hari Krishna band. !!!

Very good film

[sbetafriends · 10/10 · 25 February 2020]

I've always heard of the series, but I never watched it, I found the first episode on the internet and it does justice to the fame it has, because even after almost 50 years it's exciting.

Siege of Terror

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 4 April 2020]

The first episode of Kojak and the casting director has a smirk on his face.

A young Harvey Keitel plays one of the armed robbers who end up taking hostages in a store which also has a seriously injured cop.

As the robbers make their demands, Kojak plays negotiator to make sure everyone gets out alive.

This is a more gritty and violent affair. The thin line between the members of the public and the bad guys.

There is not much humour here, over time Kojak's character reflected its more kid friendly audience. After all I used to buy Kojak lollipops as a kid. They were blackcurrant flavoured and rather good.

I noted the robbers could not pronounce Kojak's name properly. It was also nice to see some New York location shooting.

There is an element of Dog Day Afternoon here with the hostage standoff. However that film would be released two years later.

Thumbnail only...um...not even perhaps...but some input!

[groovechampion-1 · 5/10 · 7 January 2007]

I watched this in less than a perfect condition, but, given there are no other reviews, I figure some input is better than none. :) I am 40 (this is 2007), and this is even before my time of what I could watch in 1973...though I believe I remember seeing it later in the Seventies.

Regardless, this episode is fun. Telly still "had it" and this wasn't terribly far removed from excellent film appearances (Kelly's Heroes was 1970).

Some of the elements in this will seem cliché to younger viewers, but I think the feel of it and the production values will help keep its flavor intact and the fun as well.

Beyond Telly, there is a young Harvey Keitel who precedes his Taxi Driver appearance by three years who is fun to watch. There are also a number of character actors whom you may remember from various 70's action shows.

One of the other crooks in this is very identifiable...but not to me right now, and can't catch his name in the show.

Regardless, this was a fun watch beyond memory lane and showed how little hostage/police confrontations have changed over the years, again, considering that this show was 1973.

Watching this early (second episode ever) Kojak has inspired me to get the DVD's and see it all...hopefully it's all this fun to watch.

Oh, and look for the moment Harvey calls Telly "Ko-Shick" in this early episode of "Ko-Jack". :)