The Pilot (1980)

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 - he's an alcoholic. A stewardess notices his ... See full summary »

Director:

Cliff Robertson

Writers:

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

Stars:

Cliff Robertson, Diane Baker, Frank Converse

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Houlton	...	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

Storyline

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 - he's an alcoholic. A stewardess notices his regular visits of the toilet and reports it.

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Plot Keywords:

aviation | independent film | based on novel

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Danger in the Skies

Filming Locations:

Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

User Reviews

Where can I get a copy?

Super movie. Aviation and alcoholism; rich movie topics done well. Haven't seen in 20 years. But I remember very well. It seems the CAT-III approach to SanFran was close to accurate for 1978. That's probably due to Cliff Robertson's knowledge of all things with wings. He also ended up directing the second half of the movie. Who with flying in their blood could resist the shots of the old DC-8 in flight?

The pilot's resistance to recovery is also on the bullseye. As well as his high level of functioning while under the influence.