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showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips"The Twilight Zone" Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (1963)
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Richard Matheson (written by)
Rod Serling (creator)
TV Series:
Original Air Date:
11 October 1963 (Season 5, Episode 3)
Plot:
A man, newly recovered from a nervous breakdown, becomes convinced that a monster only he sees is damaging the plane he's flying in. | add synopsis
User Comments:
Brilliant claustrophobic tale of paranoia! more (9 total)
Cast
(Episode Complete credited cast)| William Shatner | ... | Bob Wilson | |
| Christine White | ... | Julia Wilson | |
| Ed Kemmer | ... | Flight Engineer (as Edward Kemmer) | |
| Asa Maynor | ... | Stewardess |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
25 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Filming Locations:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Richard Matheson originally wanted Patricia Breslin to play Bob Wilson's wife. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: From the outside of the airplane, during a lightning flash, the cables that pull off the emergency escape door are visible. more
Quotes:
Bob Wilson:
I realize what this sounds like. Do I look insane?
Julia Wilson:
No, darling, no.
Bob Wilson:
I know I had a mental breakdown. I know I had it in an airplane. I know it looks to you as if the same thing is happening again, but it isn't. I'm sure, it isn't.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "God, the Devil and Bob: Bob's Father (#1.11)" (2003) more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (9 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "The Twilight Zone" (1959)Related Links
| Main series | Episode guide | Full cast and crew |
| Company credits | IMDb TV section | IMDb Drama section |
| IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

I can't say I'm a big fan of The Twilight Zone; I used to watch it now and again as a kid but, to be honest, I've forgotten most of what I've seen. I've just seen this episode, however, and have just had a stark reminder of how good these twenty five minute episodes of terror can be! Nightmare at 20,000 feet is one of the most famous episodes of The Twilight Zone, partly because of the excellent Simpsons' parody of it. We follow an aeroplane passenger who has recently been the victim of a nervous breakdown. Upon peering out of the window, he spots a gremlin trying to take the plane apart - only problem is, it disappears whenever anyone else looks out; and nobody is willing to take his word for it! The reason why this little tale is so good is because of the way it draws us into the lead character's plight; this really is an impossible situation, and watching him get out of it is lots of fun, and often very funny! Almost the entire episode is set inside of an aeroplane, which gives the tale a very claustrophobic feel, which in turn helps it to be more frightening. This episode stars future Captain Kirk, William Shatner - who does a fine job as the paranoid lead, and an interesting little bit of trivia, is that it's directed by Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner. I cant say how this episode stands up to the best of the rest of The Twilight Zone - but in it's own right; it's damn good, and miles better than most of the rubbish they put on TV these days. Highly recommended viewing!