Dirk Benedict, Dwight Schultz, Mr T and George Peppard in the TV series

The TV Series: An all-American action adventure series about a fictional group of ex-Special Force members of the US army. They are on the run from the military after being branded war criminals for a “crime they did not commit”.

The Movie: This 2010 action film is based on the television series that was a rage in the 80s.

The Creators 1983: The A-Team series was created by writers-cum-producers Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell

The creators 2010: The film is directed by Joe Carnahan and produced by Stephen J. Cannell and brothers Ridley and Tony Scott.

Run-time 1983: The TV series ran for five seasons on the NBC network; it had premiered right after the 1983 Super Bowl.

Run-time 2010: A 117-minute film

Team 1983: Led by Col. John ‘Hannibal’ Smith, played by the late George Peppard (Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Battle Beyond The Stars). Hannibal is a master of disguise and does stunts for movies during his free time.

Lt. Templeton Peck aka ‘Face’ or ‘Faceman’ is played by Dirk Benedict (Battlestar Galactica, Ruckus, Alaska) is a great con man. He gets Murdock out of the V.A. Hospital whenever the team needs him.

Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus is played by Mr T (Rocky III, D.C. Cab). B.A.’s initials are known by the team as ‘Bad Attitude’. B.A. has a fear of flying, that is why when the team needs to fly Hannibal drugs him to get him on the plane. B.A. seems mean but is really a nice guy.

Capt H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock played by Dwight Schultz (Star Trek:The Next Generation, The Temp) resided at the V.A. Hospital for the first four seasons. Murdock is crazy. Likes to talk about his non-existent dog Billy. A great pilot.

(Above) Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Bradley Cooper; (below) Jessica Biel in the movie

Team 2010: Liam Neeson as Colonel John ‘Hannibal’ Smith, Bradley Cooper as Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson as Sgt. Bosco B.A. Baracus and Sharlto Copley as Capt H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock.

Women 1983: Amy Allen, played by the beautiful Melinda Culea, is a reporter who often works with The A-Team to get them information. Tawnia Baker, played by Marla Heasley, was Amy Allen’s replacement on the show for one year. Frankie ‘Dishpan’ Santana, played by Eddie Velez, joined the team in the final season of the show.

Women 2010: Jessica Biel plays the ex-lover of Face; a disillusioned and ruthless army officer in pursuit of The Team. Alex Madison plays General Tuco’s wife who’s seduced by Face at the beginning of the movie.

Foes 1983: The A-Team is always chased by the US army. Those who had set out to catch them were Col. Lynch played by William Lucking, Col. Roderick Decker played by Lance LeGault, Col. Briggs played by Charles Napier, and Gen. Fullbright played by Jack Ging.

Foes 2010: They first face General Javier Tuco played by Yul Vazquez and his men. Then ‘eight years and 80 successful missions later, with the team a highly-regarded, elite combat unit stationed in Iraq, they are contacted by Lynch played by Patrick Wilson. General Morrison (Gerald McRaney) and Brock Pike (Brian Bloom) are also after The A-Team in the movie.

Friends 1983: The A-Team after being captured, tried and sentenced to death is saved by a government agency. Gen. Hunt Stockwell, played by Robert Vaughn (The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Superman III, Black Moon Rising) is in charge of the agency.

Friends 2010: At the end The A-Team is captured by the military. Sosa, promoted back to the rank of Captain, kisses Face goodbye and says, “I don’t mean to steal your line Hannibal, but I love it when a plan comes together.” And while kissing Face she... hold on, go watch it.

ODE TO THE ORIGINAL:

B.A. Baracus’s character in the movie is seen with the tattoos ‘PITY’ and ‘FOOL’ across his fingers, before he punches the car garage workers. A reference to Mr T’s catchphrase, “I pity the fool!”, which in turn came from the movie Rocky III.

In a post-credits scene, original series actors Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz have a cameo with their film equivalents Bradley Cooper and Sharlto Copley. Benedict plays Face’s fellow tanning bed client and Schultz plays a neurologist who examines Murdock.

Mr T was also approached for a cameo in the movie but he turned it down saying there was no point appearing if he was not going to reprise his character from the TV series.

The film ends with a recital of the opening narration by Corey Burton from the television series.

Do you think The A-Team movie will be better than the TV series? Tell t2@abpmail.com