The Pilot (1980)

Director:

Cliff Robertson

Writers:

Robert P. Davis (novel)
Robert P. Davis (screenplay)

Release Date:

1980 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

He's the best damn pilot in the sky. Drunk or sober.

Plot:

Mike Hagan is a pilot in passenger service and candidate for the honor "Best Pilot of the Year". Nobody knows that he's got private sorrows...

Plot Keywords:

Aviation | Independent Film | Based On Novel

Cast

Cliff Robertson	...	Mike Hagan
Diane Baker	...	Pat Simpson
Frank Converse	...	Jim Cochran
Milo O'Shea	...	Doctor O'Brian
Dana Andrews	...	Randolph Evers
Gordon MacRae	...	Joe Barnes
Edward Binns	...	Larry Zanoff
Jennifer Holton	...	Cricket
Kitty Sullivan	...	Nancy
Leigh Court	...	Jean Hagan
Bob Willis	...	Ken Howland
Hope Pomerance	...	Sandy Campbell
Ted Janus	...	1st Mechanic
Paul Stewart	...	2nd Mechanic
Bob Kozloski	...	1st Engineer

Also Known As:

Danger in the Skies (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

USA:92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Norway:12 (original rating) | Norway:16 (video rating) | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Trivia:

Started shooting in Palm Beach, Florida in November 1978 according to articles in Boxoffice magazine. Articles said screenwriter Robert P. Davis was directing and that Robertson had co-written the script. "C. Gregory Earls of Cecil Prunier Productions is producing", said the Nov 20 1978 issue of Boxoffice. Apparently Robertson took over the directing chores.

Interesting and enjoyable

This movie is a bit different than most, seeing as how it has no big special effects, complex plot, action, or heavy drama. It's just a simple, quiet story about a good pilot with a drinking problem. And because of the simpleness, it's actually pretty riveting. It's an interesting character study of an alcoholic, and, with the good direction (and lead performance) of Cliff Robertson, it manages to keep your attention all the way through. The photography is amazing, and anyone into aviation will definitely enjoy this (I'm not, but my dad is a pilot, and he loved it). In fact, the most memorable parts are just the beautifully shot scenes of flying above the desert. Highly recommended.