Flight of Black Angel (TV 1991)

A US Air Force pilot steals a nuclear bomb and sets off on what he believes is a divine mission against an American city.

Director:

Jonathan Mostow

Writers:

John D. Brancato (story), Michael Ferris (story),

Stars:

Peter Strauss, William O'Leary, James O'Sullivan

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Strauss	...	Lt. Col. Matthew Ryan
William O'Leary	...	Capt. Eddie Gordon
James O'Sullivan	...	Col. Bill Douglas
K Callan	...	Mrs. Gordon
Michele Pawk	...	Valerie Dwyer
Michael Keys Hall	...	Richard Dwyer
Ben Rawnsley	...	Mr. Gordon
Marcus Chong	...	Dragonfly
Jerry Bossard	...	Bulldog
Patricia Sill	...	Capt. Melissa Gaiter
Kim Robillard	...	Sgt. Carter
James Henriksen	...	Harvey Glatman
Ed Williams	...	Dispatcher
Michael Gregory	...	Falcon One
Rodney Eastman	...	Bobby Gordon

Storyline

A top US Air Force fighter pilot decides that his call sign of Black Angel means that he's a messenger of God. Freely committing murders as he goes, he steals a nuclear weapon and his plane. Taking a family hostage to help him, he works on bypassing the bomb's security lockouts so he can use it on the most sinful of American cities.

---

Plot Keywords:

aviation | atomic weapon | surprise ending

---

Genres:

Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Angel - tuhon enkeli

Filming Locations:

USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Trimark Pictures, Hess/Kallberg Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Valerie tries to call the local sheriff by CB radio, she's interrupted after saying "This is Valerie Dwyer. We saw something on the road--." Yet a police report of the call seen later omits her name, which she gave, and includes the information she didn't get to: it says "FEMALE VOICE GIVING INFORMATION REGARDING LANDING OF UNIDENTIFIED AIRCRAFT."

---

Quotes

Col. Bill Douglas: What makes you think he's heading for Las Vegas?
Col. Matt Ryan, Callsign Ringleader: Are you willing to gamble he isn't?

---

Connections

References Targets (1968)

User Reviews

Surprisingly good

Before he had the big budget of U-571, director Jonathan Mostow proved back in 1991 that he has what it takes to create a gripping movie. I rented this because I was writing a screenplay with a similar premise. The aerial combat sequences here are just as -- if not more so -- thrilling as anything in TOP GUN. I wish they would have got someone else to play Cpt. Gordon aka "Black Angel" -- still, the thesp gets across a spooky desperation. The script doesn't fully explain his motivation, but it's clear he has some kind of God-complex. Peter Strauss is also believable as the Mentor.

If you like military or doomsday thrillers, this is worth a rent or watching on cable.

Also of note: screenwriters John Brancato and Mike Ferris (THE NET, THE GAME) are billed as assoc. producers, though I don't know what their role in the production was.