The Ghost of Flight 401 (1978) (TV)

Director:

Steven Hilliard Stern

Writers:

John G. Fuller (book)
Robert M. Young (writer)

Release Date:

18 February 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

An aircraft crashes in the Florida Everglades, killing 103 passengers. After the wreckage is removed...

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Airplane | Disaster | Airplane Accident | Beautiful Woman

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Ernest Borgnine	...	Dom Cimoli
Gary Lockwood	...	Jordan Evanhower
Tina Chen	...	Val
Kim Basinger	...	Prissy Frasier
Tom Clancy	...	Dutch
Howard Hesseman	...	Bert Stockwell
Russell Johnson	...	Loft
Robert F. Lyons	...	Bill Bowdish
Allan Miller	...	Les Garrick
Alan Oppenheimer	...	Barton
Carol Eve Rossen	...	Maria Cimoli
Eugene Roche	...	Matt Andrews
Luis Avalos
Ted Hartley
Byron Morrow	...	Bailey

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Norway:16

Company:

Paramount Television

Trivia:

This story is based in real reports of ghost sightings on several planes that had salvaged Flight 401 equipment on them.

Movie Connections:

Follows Crash (1978) (TV)

Excellent Sets & Character Depth

I give "The Ghost Of Flight 401" (Based on the book by John Fuller) a 10-star rating based on hearing these stories first-hand. Having been a Flight Attendant with Eastern Air Lines for well over seven years (1980 to early 1988), I can state with confidence that this Emmy Nominated, Made-For-TV Movie (1978) gives an accurate portrayal of these fateful events -- not to mention those who experienced the situation first-hand.

The sets are excellent. I liked working on the L-1011 for the lower-galley, which is accurately portrayed (set-wise) in the film. The aircraft cabin is equally impressive. Everything for which an experienced crew member can find fault in the usual "airplane" movie is covered here with accuracy and attention to detail. Other sets include the homes of employees, not to mention the offices of our once-beloved Eastern Air Lines. Although not a carbon copy of our Corporate Offices, the sets provide a believable backdrop to both story line and characters alike.

As for Character Depth, the actors portray those involved with a genuine sense of suspense, worry and concern for what is happening to them. This is refreshing, seeing as another TV Movie based on these events proved to be nothing short of a prime time Soap Opera. In "The Ghost Of Flight 401," you feel what the characters feel. It is a realistic portrayal of the fear and fascination these people experienced in dealing with said events.

No spoilers here...you have to see this one for yourself. Very well done from the aspect of one who flew with and heard stories from those who experienced these events first-hand. Fantastic as the events may seem, it was real to the actual people involved. Well produced, the film takes you along for the ride. One thing is for sure: "The Ghost Of Flight 401" will definitely have you on the edge of your seat. Much like the book -- a real page-turner -- you can't help but wonder what will happen next.

Great entertainment all the way around the board.