Aviation Movie Reviews

I’ve recently been on an aviation movie bender and picked three of my favorites. I’d like to share them with you and highlight a few details from each movie. So, take note, plan your snacks for movie night, and pick your favorite.

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Zero Hour (1957)

Overview: “Zero Hour” is not just a classic disaster film, but a significant milestone in the history of aviation cinema. It tells the story of a commercial flight where the passengers and crew are incapacitated by food poisoning, leaving only an ex-WWII pilot with PTSD to land the plane. This movie became famous for inspiring the 1980 comedy “Airplane!”, which parodied its plot almost scene for scene.

Aviation Focus: The film centers on the tension of managing a crisis mid-flight. While it doesn’t dive deeply into the technical aspects of flying, it portrays the drama of a cockpit under extreme pressure. Though bare by modern standards, the aviation scenes were a hallmark of mid-20th-century aviation films, reflecting the era’s fears of flying.

Tone: A tense and dramatic film with high stakes that keep viewers on edge. Its severe and somber mood contrasts with the later comedic adaptation that made fun of similar disaster movie tropes.

Unique Appeal: For aviation enthusiasts, “Zero Hour” is a must-see for its influence on aviation disaster films and as a piece of cinema history. The film’s realistic (for the time) portrayal of flight issues also provides insight into aviation’s role in post-war fears.

Since “Zero Hour” is an older film, it features a cast from the 1950s Hollywood era:

• Dana Andrews as Ted Stryker
• Linda Darnell as Ellen Stryker
• Sterling Hayden as Captain Martin Treleaven
• Elroy’ Crazylegs’ Hirsch as Captain Bill Wilson
• Geoffrey Toone as Dr. Baird
• Jerry Paris as Tony Decker
• Peggy King as Stewardess Janet Turner

While “Zero Hour” didn’t have any particularly notable news events surrounding its production, its later influence on cinema became a story in its own Right. The movie is best known for being heavily referenced and parodied in the 1980 comedy “Airplane!” (1980). The filmmakers of Airplane! bought the rights to Zero Hour precisely to mimic the plot and use it as the backbone for their comedy. This relationship between the two films has often been a subject of entertainment and film history articles, particularly highlighting how “Airplane!” lifted dialogue, character names, and entire sequences from Zero Hour in a comedic way.

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One Six Right (2005)

Overview: “One Six Right” is a documentary celebrating general aviation, specifically the iconic Van Nuys Airport in California. It explores the airport’s rich history, personal stories, and cultural importance, capturing the beauty of flight through stunning aerial cinematography.

Aviation Focus: Unlike “Zero Hour,” this film is a pure celebration of aviation, emphasizing the joy and passion for flying. The documentary showcases aviation’s technical, historical, and personal aspects, including interviews with pilots and experts. The visuals, especially the aerial shots of planes in action, are breathtaking, making it a favorite among aviation enthusiasts.

Tone: More than just a documentary, “One Six Right” is a celebration of the joy and passion for flying. It has an uplifting and inspiring tone, aiming to rekindle viewers’ love for flying while also addressing the challenges faced by general aviation due to regulatory and economic pressures.

Unique Appeal: For those who love the romantic side of flying, “One Six Right” is an ode to the spirit of aviation, with less emphasis on drama and more on the beauty of flight. Its stunning cinematography is perfect for anyone who appreciates aviation’s technical and aesthetic elements.

“One Six Right” is a documentary, so instead of actors, it features interviews with aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and others involved in the aviation community. Here are some notable participants:

• Hal Fishman – News anchor, pilot
• Paul M. Gadzinski – Pilot
• Cory Lovell – Air traffic controller
• Chuck Wentworth – Pilot, vintage aircraft enthusiast
• Barry Schiff – Aviation author, retired airline captain
• Scott Glover – Vintage aircraft owner and pilot
• Bob Hoover – Legendary aviator (appears in archival footage)

Being a documentary, “One Six Right” didn’t have controversial news stories or scandals related to its production. Still, it did generate a lot of positive attention in aviation circles. One notable story is its influence on preserving general aviation airports, specifically Van Nuys Airport, which the documentary highlights. The film became a rallying point for aviation enthusiasts concerned about the decreasing number of small airports in the U.S. due to urban development and financial pressures.

After the film’s release, aviation communities and local governments paid increased attention to the importance of preserving these airports. One Six Right was credited with raising public awareness about general aviation’s cultural and historical significance, which helped strengthen preservation efforts.

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American Made (2017)

Overview: “American Made” is a biographical crime drama based on the true story of Barry Seal, a commercial pilot who became a drug smuggler for the Medellín Cartel in the 1980s while secretly working for the CIA. Starring Tom Cruise, the film blends action, humor, and drama with a strong focus on the shady operations involving aviation during the Cold War and drug war era.

Aviation Focus: While the aviation scenes take a backseat to Seal’s wild-life story, they are still integral to the plot. The film features exciting flying sequences, including risky landings and mid-air maneuvers in various small aircraft. It also highlights the darker side of aviation, showcasing how planes were used in smuggling and covert operations.

Tone: Fast-paced and comedic with a dark undercurrent, “American Made” is a wild ride that mixes crime thriller with aviation action. Tom Cruise’s charismatic performance brings a sense of fun to an otherwise morally complex story.

Unique Appeal: For aviation fans who enjoy real-life adventure and the intersection of flying with espionage and crime, “American Made” provides a thrilling, fast-paced narrative. The action sequences are exciting, and the film’s pace keeps the audience engaged throughout.

This modern biographical drama features a well-known cast:

• Tom Cruise as Barry Seal
• Sarah Wright as Lucy Seal (Barry’s wife)
• Domhnall Gleeson as Monty Schafer (CIA agent)
• Jesse Plemons as Sheriff Joe Downing
• Caleb Landry Jones as JB (Lucy’s brother)
• Lola Kirke as Judy Downing
• Jayma Mays as Dana Sibota (State Attorney)
• Alejandro Edda as Jorge Ochoa (Cartel leader)
• Mauricio Mejía as Pablo Escobar

Each film has a distinct ensemble, ranging from classic Hollywood actors to real-life aviation experts and modern movie stars.

“American Made” is the most significant of the three in news-related stories, mainly due to a tragic incident during filming. In 2015, during production in Colombia, two crew members were killed in a plane crash while transporting equipment. The plane crash occurred on a small twin-engine Piper Smith Aerostar 600. The victims were American pilot Alan Purwin, a well-known Hollywood stunt pilot, and Colombian pilot Carlos Berl. A third pilot, Jimmy Lee Garland, survived but was seriously injured.

This accident led to legal disputes between the families of the victims and the film’s producers, including Tom Cruise. The families argued that safety oversights and poor planning led to the fatal crash. The lawsuit also implicated the film’s insurers, which caused further complications. The incident sparked a conversation about the safety of stunt flying and aviation sequences in movies, especially in remote and dangerous locations like Colombia.

The news of the accident cast a shadow over the film’s production. It highlighted the risks of filming aviation-heavy action scenes, even in major Hollywood productions.

I always find it bothersome when I hear of a fatality involved in any type of accident, especially in aviation. As I look for any glimpse of positivity, let’s hope something can be learned from any tragedy, and new rules or regulations will be amended for the safety of everyone going forward.

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Here is my list of three aviation movies that you might enjoy on your next “movie night.” And I’ll keep looking for more exciting movies to share with you as time allows. Enjoy!