The Disappearance of Flight 412 (1974)

During a radar test mission, Flight 412 witnesses the disappearance of 2 fighter-jets scrambled to intercept a UFO but the Air Force is determined to cover-up the incident.

Director:

Jud Taylor

Writers:

George Simpson, Neal R. Burger

Stars:

Glenn Ford, Bradford Dillman, David Soul

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glenn Ford	...	Col. Pete Moore
Bradford Dillman	...	Maj. Mike Dunning
David Soul	...	Capt. Roy Bishop
Robert F. Lyons	...	Capt. Cliff Riggs
Guy Stockwell	...	Lt. Col. Trottman
Greg Mullavey	...	Capt. Tony Podryski
Stanley Bennett Clay	...	2nd Lt. Ferguson (as Stanley Clay)
Jonathan Goldsmith	...	Smith (as Jonathan Lippe)
Jack Ging	...	Green
Ken Kercheval	...	White
Edward Winter	...	Mr. Cheer
Simon Scott	...	Col. Barns
Kent Smith	...	Gen. Enright
Cynthia Ford	...	Nina Moore (as Cynthia Hayward)
Jesse Vint	...	Scanner

Storyline

Colonel Pete Moore is commander of the Whitney Radar Test Group, which has been experiencing electrical difficulties aboard its aircraft. To ferret out the problem, he sends a four-man crew on Flight 412. Shortly into the test, the jet picks up three blips on radar, and subsequently, two fighters scramble and mysteriously disappear. At this point, Flight 412 is monitored and forced to land by Digger Control, a top-level, military intelligence group that debunks UFO information. The intrepid colonel, kept in the dark about his crew, decides to investigate the matter himself.

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Plot Keywords:

ufo | cover up | u.s. air force | aviation | disaster | 

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Taglines:

If one tenth of 1% of UFO sightings is real, Flight 412 found it ...

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 October 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az eltűnt járat rejtélye

Filming Locations:

Oxnard Air Force Base, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cine Films Inc., Cinemobile Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

72 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last completed film of Kent Smith.

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Goofs

When the Marines were scrambling a Navy/Marine A6 was being towed from the hangar but two Marine F4s took off.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: This is a UFO - an Unidentified Flying Object. It was photographed at Santa Catalina Island in April of 1966. Look at it again. Closely. Hundreds, even thousands of witnesses have seen similar things appear in the sky. Persons living miles from others have testified independently that UFOs have appeared in a specific place at a specific time.

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Crazy Credits

Greg Mullavey is credited as playing the role of Captain Tony Podryski. However, during the Air Force 412 event, he is a First Lieutenant and not promoted to Captain until later, as noted by the Narrator.

User Reviews

" If a flying saucer is sighted, shouldn't we investigate, not pretend it isn't there? "

Glen Ford has always been a consummate actor. When in any role, he becomes the character and thus is very believable. Ocassionaly however the role is one which lacked substance and thus even the best actor can only do his best, despite it's limitations. Such is the film " The Disappearance of Flight 412. " The story was written by George Simpson and directed by Jud Taylor. What should have been an exciting subject, namely U.F.O.'s and should have garnered a much wider audience, proved the opposite. Glenn Ford, plays Col. Pete Moore a highly experience Base Commander of a modern Flight Wing. While under his command a special flight takes off to study strange electrical interference over his base. However flight 412 suddenly encounters three objects over the skies of the base which turn out to be three genuine U.F.O.'s. Surprised by their speed and maneuverability, two additional Marine Phantom jets are scrambled to intercept them. However, as quickly they appeared, they disappear. However, the flight of the air force Lockheed is abruptly ordered to divert to a clandestine base for 'Special Debriefing.' From that point on, things which were strange before, now become an incident in Classified circles. No one is allowed to know what happened over the skies and the crew are subjected to Brain washing as they learn what they saw, NEVER happened at all. Further, since no information is forthcoming, Col. Pete More (Glenn Ford) has to investigate himself. This movie does a good job of creating interest, but fails to bring closure to the story. Although, the information is gathered, NOTHING is allowed to be known to those who already known it. The cast for this film is superb as such superior actors as Bradford Dillman, David Soul, Robert F. Lyons and Guy Stockwell from Digger Control give deep interest to the movie. What exactly goes on behind close door in Goverenment, is never discussed, instead Americans are convinced that Lies are what the Air Force expect of it's personal. All the characters who accepted the lies, were promoted, they others were not. Interesting. ****