The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (1988) (TV)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writer (WGA):

Norman Morrill (written by)

Release Date:

2 May 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

This made-for-television film documents the takeover of the TWA airliner in flight from Athens to Rome in 1985...

Plot Keywords:

Airplane Hijack | Terrorism | Airplane | Based On True Story | Number In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Lindsay Wagner	...	Uli Derickson
Eli Danker	...	Castro
Sandy McPeak	...	Captain Testrake
Ray Wise	...	Phil Maresca
Leslie Easterbrook	...	Audrey
Laurie Walters	...	Jane
Joseph Nasser	...	Saiid
Barry Jenner	...	Ben Zimmerman
Valorie Armstrong	...	Woman in red coat
Jim McMullan	...	Russell
Steven Eckholdt	...	Robert Stethem
Philip Levien	...	Weisman
Lynn Tufeld	...	Mrs. Weisman
Edwin Gerard	...	Dr. Panos
Bridget Hoffman	...	Mrs. Panos

Also Known As:

The Flight
The Taking of Flight 847

Runtime:

100 min | UK:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:15

Company:

Columbia Pictures Television

Goofs:

Continuity: The exterior shots of the TWA plane indicate it is a Boeing 727-200. However the interior shots show a galley in the middle of the aircraft, which is a feature of the slightly smaller 727-100.

Quotes:

[after shooting Robert Stethem and throwing his body on the tarmac]
Castro: Now they will listen.

Surprisingly low-key and effective hostage drama

And you thought your last vacation was bad! This modest 1987 made-for-TV docudrama, starring Lindsay Wagner as flight attendant Uli Derickson, does a surprisingly good job of depicting a 1985 Arab hijacking without too much of the expected overdone histrionics or Rambo-esquire heroics. The writing carefully and sensibly sticks to Derickson's perspective. This is certainly one of Wagner's best roles; she is affecting, again without being overly glamorized.

If this all has something of a Reader's Digest Drama-in-Real-Life feel to it, that goes with the territory. No great contribution to world cinema, but well done.