Flight of Black Angel (1991) (TV)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Jonathan Mostow

Writers:

Jonathan Mostow (story) and
John D. Brancato (co-writer)

Release Date:

23 February 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Atomic Weapons | Aviation | Twist In The End

Cast

Peter Strauss	...	Col. Matt Ryan, Callsign Ringleader
William O'Leary	...	Capt. Eddie Gordon, Callsign Black Angel
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 C. Gaiter
Kim Robillard	...	Sgt. Carter
James Henriksen	...	Harvey Glatman
Ed Williams	...	Dispatcher
Michael Gregory	...	Falcon One
Rodney Eastman	...	Bobby Gordon

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

USA

Company:

Trimark Pictures

Goofs:

Continuity: 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:

Capt. Eddie Gordon, Callsign Black Angel: [on Vegas] It must be destroyed... it must be wiped clean.

Movie Connections:

References Targets (1968)

Worth a look

A good example of storytelling without using big stars and boffo special effects to put a point across. Mentally-disturbed young Air Force pilot takes it upon himself to destroy humanity--or as much of it as he can--on a mission from God. Manages to be gripping and scary particularly in the flying sequences and when he takes a young family hostage. Slow-going for some to be sure but real tension exists in his scenes with the wife, played believably by future Tony-winner Pawk, as he prepares for his "mission". This villain is a sad and methodical victim of his own madness. Strauss--a rather limited player--is appropriately stalwart and the voice of reason as his commanding officer, tho I couldn't help but think of Robert Stack in "Airplane!" trying to help the saner Robert Hays come in for a landing.