"The Flight Of The Phoenix" - 1965

[Ragingblues]

I came across the original 1965 version of "The Flight Of The Phoenix" in the Wal-Mart bargain DVD bin.



I have read the basic story outline about the plane going down in a sandstorm over the Sahara desert during WWII. The crew, played by well known actors; James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Peter Finch, Ernest Borgnine, and others, decide to rebuild a scaled down version of the plane from it's wreckage. Tensions mount with personality conflicts as they go, and a startling twist of fate is also at hand.

So far, this all sounds pretty good to me, but I was wondering if anyone else had seen it. If so, what did you think? Should I use a free rental at Blockbuster for it, or is this the sort of classic movie that you watch again and again?

Ken

[Deleted]

Ken,

I have seen that movie many times. Including at the theater as a kid. It is not exactly an Adventure film, it's more of a survival film.

It is a very good movie but I do not know haw many times you would watch it.

There was also a remake a few years ago.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[Kt. Templar]

Great film, almost in the same league as Ice Cold in Alex IMO.

[Tyrloch]

Yes, I saw the remake with Dennis Quaid -- it wasn't bad for a rental-- it was entertaining, but I wouldn't have wanted to pay full price to see it in the theathres. Gio Ribisi was very good in it -- why is it that he always seems to play these type of off-the-wall roles? GMANN -- was the original better than the remake? They usually are...

~Jace

[Ragingblues]

Thanks for the replies! I knew of the remake with Dennis Quaid, though I haven't seen that either. I wanted to see the original first, which I thought would have a very different feel to it than the modern remake. I guess I may use a free rental to check it out first. You never know if you have missed a classic film or just another Sunday afternoon type movie.

I was picturing it having a WWII adventure film feel to it, but I can see where it would turn out to be more of a survival type thing. Those are great too, as we just finished watching "Stranded"... a very well made movie about the classic Swiss Family Robinson adventure.

Thanks much for the input so far,

Ken

[Deleted]

I have never seen the Re-Make so I could not tell you which is better.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[Havana]

The original is a very good film. I don't know if you'd watch it multiple times though. The acting is also better than the remake. The remake is not bad but it's just the same film with different actors. It seemed kind of pointless. They didn't really add anything to it. I think I like the original better because Jimmy Stewart was a real pilot and flew B-17's during the war. Just knowing that gives his character and situation more credibility. Also, the ending in the original is also done for real and not with special effects as in the remake.

[Tyrloch]

havana said:

The original is a very good film. I don't know if you'd watch it multiple times though. The acting is also better than the remake. The remake is not bad but it's just the same film with different actors. It seemed kind of pointless. They didn't really add anything to it. I think I like the original better because Jimmy Stewart was a real pilot and flew B-17's during the war. Just knowing that gives his character and situation more credibility. Also, the ending in the original is also done for real and not with special effects as in the remake.

Sounds like I should be looking into renting the original as well...good call.

~Jace

[jweaver]

I haven't seen the new one, but the original is an great movie!

[Kaplan]

I second that....wonderful movie that didn't need to be remade. I have it on DVD.

[bendingoak]

and look at the actors in the original movie. Your not going to get better than them in the new one.

[WHU1964]

Can't go wrong with James Stewart, the original is far superior to the remake. i wish the film industry would stop with this lazy attitude and MAKE SOMETHING ORIGINAL !!!!!