"The Twilight Zone" Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (1963)

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers:

Richard Matheson (written by)
Rod Serling (creator)

TV Series:

"The Twilight Zone" (1959)

Original Air Date:

11 October 1963 (Season 5, Episode 3)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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. |

Plot Keywords:

Monster | Destruction | Thunderstorm | Exit | Gremlin

Cast

William Shatner	...	Bob Wilson
Christine White	...	Julia Wilson
Ed Kemmer	...	Flight Engineer (as Edward Kemmer)
Asa Maynor	...	Stewardess

Runtime:

25 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Cayuga Productions

Trivia:

Richard Matheson originally wanted Patricia Breslin to play Bob Wilson's wife.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: From the outside of the airplane, during a lightning flash, the cables that pull off the emergency escape door are visible.

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.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "God, the Devil and Bob: Bob's Father (#1.11)" (2003)

Brilliant claustrophobic tale of paranoia!

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!