Tailspin: Behind the Korean Airliner Tragedy (TV 1989)

Chronicle of the shooting down of a Korean passenger plane by Soviet air force on 1st September 1983. Over 280 people died in this incident.

Director:

David Darlow

Writer:

Brian Phelan

Stars:

Michael Murphy, Michael Moriarty, Chris Sarandon

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Murphy	...	Richard Burt
Michael Moriarty	...	Maj. Hank Daniels
Chris Sarandon	...	John Lenczowski
Harris Yulin	...	Gen. Tyson
Otto Jarman	...	Clark
Bradley Lavelle	...	Jamie
Kieron Jecchinis	...	Coles
Matthew Freeman	...	Aaron
Andrea Browne	...	Operative
James Tillitt	...	Operative
Ed O'Ross	...	Sgt. Duffy
Debora Weston	...	Carol
Colin Bruce	...	Dave
Marc Smith	...	Mort
Bill Bailey	...	Military

Storyline

Chronicle of the shooting down of a Korean passenger plane by Soviet air force on 1st September 1983. Over 280 people died in this incident.

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Plot Keywords:

airplane accident

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Genres:

Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Coded Hostile

Filming Locations:

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

MOZART'S "REQUIEM"
Performed by The Leipzig Radio Chorus and The Dresden State Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Schreier

User Reviews

This is the most technically accurate movie to be made of this incident!

This movie is accurate in all respects and is an authentic reproduction of the actual events that occurred on 1 September, 1983, over the Sea of Okhotsk just southeast of the Sachalin Peninsula, in the Soviet Far East. I was one of only 12 people who were supposed to have full knowledge of these events, as the files were marked: "Top Secret"! It is quite clear that whoever made this movie had technical direction from one of the original 12 people involved. I rented the video "Tailspin" from a local supermarket video department, because it was aviation based and looked interesting. I never would have believed what it contained until it unfolded before my eyes! I was completely shocked as this film played out on my television screen! The complete details were far too secret and previously known to so few people. Every detail in this movie is accurate and authentic in every aspect. I am also amazed that the director had the ability to reproduce the details and situations exactly as they occurred, leaving out nothing and adding nothing, right down to the call-signs of the aircraft involved! In most "docu-drama's" directors/producers have the tendency to "embellish" beyond all reason/necessity, the accuracy and details of the actual events. This did not happen here! An excellent reproduction of actual events made into a great movie!