The Night My Number Came Up (1955)

On a routine flight from Hong Kong to Japan, a British military transport aircraft's fate may or may not depend on a prophetic nightmare.

Director:

Leslie Norman

Writers:

Victor Goddard (based on a story by), R.C. Sherriff (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Redgrave, Sheila Sim, Alexander Knox

Nominated for 4 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Redgrave	...	Air Marshal Hardie
Sheila Sim	...	Mary Campbell
Alexander Knox	...	Owen Robertson
Denholm Elliott	...	Fl. Lt. McKenzie
Ursula Jeans	...	Mrs. Robertson
Ralph Truman	...	Wainwright
Michael Hordern	...	Lindsay
Nigel Stock	...	The Pilot
Bill Kerr	...	The Soldier
Alfie Bass	...	The Soldier
George Rose	...	Bennett
Victor Maddern	...	The Engineer
David Orr	...	The Co-Pilot
David Yates	...	The Navigator
Doreen Aris	...	Miss Robertson

Storyline

At a fashionable dinner party in Hong Kong, a Naval officer is coaxed into revealing details of a dream in which eight people take off from Bangkok, Thailand in a Dakota bound for Tokyo, Japan and crash in the Japanese mountains. Amongst those listening is Air Marshal Hardie (Sir Michael Redgrave), who is due to fly to Tokyo the next day. Hardie initially dismisses the dream because he is scheduled to fly out in a Liberator, but as Hardie arrives at the airport, he discovers that the Liberator has developed mechanical problems and has been replaced by a Dakota. When, just before the flight is due to depart, two soldiers board the plane making a complement of eight, Hardie fears that the dream may be coming true, and he is destined to die.

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Plot Keywords:

air marshal | japan | post war | year 1946 | transport plane | 

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Taglines:

The Screen's Most Terrifying Flight Into Suspense!

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Genres:

Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The script is based on a personal account by Sir Victor Goddard.

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Goofs

The plane becomes iced over on the leading edges, but when it starts to descend from 19,000 feet, the distant shots of the aircraft do not show any ice at all.

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Quotes

Bennett: You're sure it is Japan? From what I've seen of your flying methods it could be China, or Blackpool for that matter.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits, prior to film title: There were 8 passengers 5 crew

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Soundtracks

You're Only Dreaming
(uncredited)
Music by Joyce Cochrane
Lyrics by Christopher Hassall

User Reviews

Old Fashioned Suspense

A 1950's movie from the British studios. The basis of the plot is relatively simple, however, the outcome is never really obvious. It may not keep you on the edge of your seat biting your nails but it does keep you guessing till the end. A few lines at the very end by two of the lesser characters adds a finish not really seen till the advent of the "Twighlight Zone" TV series. Shakespeare used the use of dreams in many of his plays. This created his characters thoughts and actions. It seems that this method is used in this film for the same reason and pushes the movie along. The movie has a classic British cast such as Michael Redgrave and Denholm Elliott. Whilst the other actors names might not be easily recalled. They are readily identifiable and seen in numerous British movies of the 1940's and 50's. There is a small amount comic relief in the movie through the minor characters of two British soldiers. Australian viewers may even find hard to recognize one of them as being the local classic actor Bill Kerr. It is an old fashioned movie worthy of a watch.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sie waren 13

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios, Michael Balcon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Gaumont Kalee Recording) (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1