IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 (1993) (TV)

Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 (1993) (TV) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   293 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 36% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
George Rubino (written by) and
Robert Benedetti (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 December 1993 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Jay is ordered to fly Cessna flight 30771 from the States to Sydney, with stopovers at Honolulu, Pago Pago and Norfolk Island... more | add synopsis
User Reviews:
Heart-warming television movie more (13 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Robert Loggia ... Gordon Vette

Scott Bakula ... Jay Parkins
Rebecca Rigg ... Ellen
Alan Fletcher ... Frank
Mike Bishop ... First Officer Mann (as Michael Bishop)
Kit Taylor ... Capt. Warren Banks
Suzie MacKenzie ... Vanessa Cross (as Suzie Mackenzie)
Steven Tandy ... Operations Officer Hudson
Robert Benedetti ... Harry Hanson
Sarah Kemp ... Hillary Vette
Ingrid McKillop ... Teacher
Peter Kent ... Enthusiastic Man
Sean Sturgess ... Nervous Man
Eddy Sentosa ... Doctor
Lafe Charlton ... David
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
Sweden:95 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The movie was inspired by a real-life event which occurred on December 21 1978, and which involved Air New Zealand flight 103 (and not 308) on a DC-10 (and not a 767). The airliner captain's name (Gordon Vette) was preserved, but Jay's last name was changed from Prochnow to Parkins. Most other names were changed for the movie. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Jay looks up and sees the 737 piloted by Gordon, the cockpit lights are full bright. Flying at night, the cockpit lights are off and the illumination of the cockpit comes from the instrument panel, usually red lighting to keep the pilot's night vision. more
Quotes:
Gordon Vette: Ladies and gentlemen? Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention please? I'm Captain Vette. Don't be alarmed, there's nothing wrong with this plane. But, we do have a rather unusual circumstance here. We have received a distress call from an American pilot, flying a light plane somewhere in this area. His instruments have malfunctioned and he doesn't know where he is. He's lost. He's running out of fuel. But Pacific called us, and asked if we could assist him. Now, there's no danger to us. We have plenty of fuel. With your permission, I would like to try and find him.
[pause]
Enthusiastic Man: Well, let's go for it!
Little Margaret: Mister Captain, how did he get so lost?
Gordon Vette: Come here, darling. I'll try to show everybody. Now, you make believe that you're that little lost plane. How would you do that?
[Margaret extends her arms as if she was an airplane]
Gordon Vette: Terrific. Okay. Turn around. Now, you've been flying straight for hours. Hours and hours. And, a mean old crosswind comes up and tries to roll you away from your destination so...
[pointing at Derek, a little boy]
Gordon Vette: Come on, here, son. You play that mean old crosswind. You try to veer her off course.
[Derek tries and pushes Margaret, but she resists]
[...]
more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
10 out of 11 people found the following review useful.
Heart-warming television movie, 6 October 2002
Author: Flippitygibbit from Yorkshire, England

Dr. Sam Beckett (Quantum Leap) and Dr. Kennedy (Neighbours) attempt to fly from San Francisco to Australia in two 'toy planes' - but once I managed to get past this concept, I was hooked! A true Christmas film with plenty of spirit, 'Mercy Mission' is both exciting and believable. I don't know a lot about the technical side of the action, but that didn't stop me rooting for the characters - wanting Jay not to give in, and Gordon to win the approval of his passengers (I loved his explanation to the children on board about what had happened to Jay, and why they needed to help). And, of course, by the end, I was just as emotional as those on screen - which is how any Christmas movie worth its salt should affect an audience. Frank's battle with his plane in Pago Pago was also convincing (even if his accent was a little trans-continental), and the dialogue was both strong and funny ("How old could you be?" "This guy's really old, 771") This film is recommended any time of year, as it's easy to watch, but sharing your Christmas with Gordon and Jay really adds to the experience.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (13 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 (1993) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Alan Fletcher Decklord
DVD Wish Luno
ION tv showing gldrgidr-1
DVD Release Luno
TV schedule for this movie fred3627
Changed Title of film in different countries? rogertaylor1947
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Airport 1975 Air Force One Die Hard 2 Air Force Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb Australia section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.