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The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story

  • TV Movie
  • 1988
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
384
YOUR RATING
The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (1988)
Drama

This made-for-television film documents the takeover of the TWA airliner in flight from Athens to Rome in 1985. The focus is on the flight attendant, Uli Derickson, whose courage and hope he... Read allThis made-for-television film documents the takeover of the TWA airliner in flight from Athens to Rome in 1985. The focus is on the flight attendant, Uli Derickson, whose courage and hope helped save all but one of the passengers on the plane. The movie chronicles the first 2 day... Read allThis made-for-television film documents the takeover of the TWA airliner in flight from Athens to Rome in 1985. The focus is on the flight attendant, Uli Derickson, whose courage and hope helped save all but one of the passengers on the plane. The movie chronicles the first 2 days and the aftermath.

  • Director
    • Paul Wendkos
  • Writer
    • Norman Morrill
  • Stars
    • Lindsay Wagner
    • Eli Danker
    • Sandy McPeak
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    384
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Paul Wendkos
    • Writer
      • Norman Morrill
    • Stars
      • Lindsay Wagner
      • Eli Danker
      • Sandy McPeak
    • 5User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys
      • 1 win & 6 nominations total

    Photos

    The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (1988)
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    Cast35

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    Lindsay Wagner
    Lindsay Wagner
    • Uli Derickson
    Eli Danker
    Eli Danker
    • Castro
    Sandy McPeak
    Sandy McPeak
    • Captain Testrake
    Ray Wise
    Ray Wise
    • Phil Maresca
    Leslie Easterbrook
    Leslie Easterbrook
    • Audrey
    Laurie Walters
    Laurie Walters
    • Jane
    Joseph Nasser
    • Saiid
    Barry Jenner
    Barry Jenner
    • Ben Zimmerman
    Valorie Armstrong
    • Woman in Red Coat
    • (as Valorie F. Armstrong)
    Jim McMullan
    Jim McMullan
    • Russell
    • (as James McMullan)
    Steven Eckholdt
    Steven Eckholdt
    • Robert Stethem
    Philip Levien
    Philip Levien
    • Mr. Weisman
    Lynn Tufeld
    Lynn Tufeld
    • Mrs. Weisman
    Edwin Gerard
    • Dr. Panos
    Bridget Hoffman
    Bridget Hoffman
    • Mrs. Panos
    Nick Angotti
    • Scott Holmes
    Wren T. Brown
    Wren T. Brown
    • Ernie Jackson
    J. Michael Flynn
    J. Michael Flynn
    • Peter Currier
    • Director
      • Paul Wendkos
    • Writer
      • Norman Morrill
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real Uli Derickson acted as consultant for this film.
    • Goofs
      The exterior shots of the TWA plane indicate it is a Boeing 727-200. However the interior shots show a galley in the middle of the aircraft, which is a feature of the slightly smaller 727-100.
    • Quotes

      Castro: Which way is East?

      Purser Uli Derickson: We're flying East.

      [Castro kneels down and starts praying]

      Purser Uli Derickson: You just about killed someone and now you're going to pray?

      Castro: Who killed more people in the name of God, Muslim or Christian? Tell me.

      [pause]

      Castro: Now I pray.

    • Crazy credits
      Disclaimer on the end credits: "Trans World Airlines has provided technical assistance but in no way has endorsed the production and is not responsible for the truth or accuracy of the content of this program."
    • Connections
      Featured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)

    User reviews5

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Surprisingly low-key and effective hostage drama
    And you thought your last vacation was bad! This modest 1987 made-for-TV docudrama, starring Lindsay Wagner as flight attendant Uli Derickson, does a surprisingly good job of depicting a 1985 Arab hijacking without too much of the expected overdone histrionics or Rambo-esquire heroics. The writing carefully and sensibly sticks to Derickson's perspective. This is certainly one of Wagner's best roles; she is affecting, again without being overly glamorized.

    If this all has something of a Reader's Digest Drama-in-Real-Life feel to it, that goes with the territory. No great contribution to world cinema, but well done.
    helpful•6
    0
    • donrogers42
    • May 21, 2007

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 2, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • TWA lento 847 kaapattu
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 20, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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