Ever look at a skyscraper and wonder about the guys who actually stood on those narrow beams hundreds of feet in the air without a harness? Honestly, it’s terrifying. But back in 1979, Lee Majors—fresh off his world-conquering run as the Bionic Man—decided to trade his nuclear-powered limbs for a hard hat. The result was movie Steel Lee Majors, a blue-collar action flick that is as much a time capsule of 70s grit as it is a testament to old-school filmmaking.
You’ve probably seen the 1997 Shaq movie with the same name. Forget that one. This isn't a superhero movie. It's a "sweat and girders" drama about Mike Catton, a legendary construction foreman played by Majors. Mike is the best in the business, but he’s got a problem: a paralyzing fear of heights. Kind of a big deal when your office is 40 stories up.
What Really Happened With Movie Steel Lee Majors?
The plot is basically The Seven Samurai but with ironworkers. When an old friend, Big Lew Cassidy (played by the legendary George Kennedy), dies in a tragic fall, his daughter Cass (Jennifer O'Neill) is left to finish a massive skyscraper project. The catch? A sleazy corporate suit named Eddie (Harris Yulin) is trying to sabotage the whole thing so he can take over.
Cass tracks down Mike Catton, who has basically retired to a life of truck driving to avoid the "vertigo" demons. He eventually agrees to help and rounds up a crew of "magnificent" misfits. You’ve got Art Carney, the Oscar winner from Harry and Tonto, as a crusty veteran. You’ve got Richard Lynch, Terry Kiser, and Roger E. Mosley. It’s a cast that screams 1970s character-actor excellence.
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They’re racing against a deadline to get the "topping out" ceremony done, meaning they have to finish the final beams before the bank pulls the plug.
The Tragedy That Shook the Set
You can't talk about movie Steel Lee Majors without talking about what happened behind the scenes in Lexington, Kentucky. This wasn't some green-screen Marvel set. They were filming on the actual Kincaid Towers.
On September 21, 1978, a world-record stunt went horribly wrong. A.J. Bakunas, a 27-year-old stuntman who was doubling for George Kennedy, was performing a free-fall from the top of the tower. He had already done a 90-foot fall, but he wanted to reclaim a record recently broken by another stuntman.
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Bakunas jumped from 323 feet. He hit 115 miles per hour before landing. But the air bag—the very thing meant to save him—ruptured on impact. He died 15 hours later. It’s a somber shadow that hangs over the film. Majors was actually there, and there’s even footage of him interviewing Bakunas shortly before the jump. It’s a gut-wrenching reminder of how dangerous these "practical effects" really were.
Why This Movie Is Kinda Great
If you like movies where guys in denim solve problems with wrenches and sheer willpower, this is your jam. Steve Carver, the director, knew how to film blue-collar action. He avoids the "melodrama" and focuses on the work.
- The Chemistry: Majors and Jennifer O’Neill have a natural rapport. She isn't just a damsel; she’s the one holding the site together.
- The Practicality: Watching these guys move iron is oddly satisfying. There’s a weight to everything.
- The Stakes: It’s not about saving the world; it’s about finishing a building and keeping a legacy alive. That feels more real than a galaxy-ending laser.
Majors was at a weird point in his career here. He was trying to pivot away from the "Bionic" image. In Steel, he’s vulnerable. He’s sweating. He’s scared of the very thing that made him a legend. It’s one of his more nuanced performances, even if it’s wrapped in a popcorn action shell.
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A Forgotten Gem in the 1979 Landscape
1979 was a weird year for movies. You had Alien and Apocalypse Now dominating the conversation. Small, gritty dramas like movie Steel Lee Majors often got lost in the shuffle. It didn't set the box office on fire, and for years, it was hard to find outside of grainy VHS tapes or late-night cable TV.
Nowadays, people mostly remember it for the A.J. Bakunas tragedy, which is a bit of a shame. While the accident is a significant part of film history, the movie itself is a solid, well-acted piece of Americana. It captures a specific era of American industry that doesn't really exist anymore—where your word was your bond and the most dangerous thing you could do was look down.
How to Watch It Today
Honestly, finding a high-quality version can be a bit of a hunt. It occasionally pops up on streaming services like Tubi or YouTube, and there have been niche Blu-ray releases for cult cinema collectors. If you're a fan of 70s cinema, it's worth the search.
If you want to appreciate movie Steel Lee Majors for what it is, don't go in expecting a high-octane thriller. Go in for the character work. Watch Art Carney be grumpy. Watch Lee Majors struggle with his internal terror. It’s a movie about the dignity of work, even when that work is trying to kill you.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you're looking to dive deeper into this era of Lee Majors' career, pair Steel with The Norseman (1978) or Killer Fish (1979). It shows the range he was attempting before he eventually landed The Fall Guy in the 80s. For the best viewing experience of Steel, look for the widescreen "Look Down and Die" international cut, which often preserves the scale of the Kincaid Tower better than old 4:3 television edits.