The Bonfire of the Vanities(1990)

The scene with Maria's Concorde landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport was filmed by second unit director Eric Schwab to impress his mentor Brian De Palma. De Palma discouraged him, and bet $100 that it would not make the final cut. The sun would line up with the runway and the Empire state building in the background on only one day, June 12th, with a 30-second window for the shot. They had to hire a Concorde from Air France, and ask them to land the aircraft at the exact time. They also had to coordinate with JFK Air Traffic Control to let the aircraft through and land at exactly the right moment, in one of the most congested air-spaces in the world. Schwab used five cameras to ensure the scene was captured. In the end, the shot cost $80,000 US and resulted in 10 seconds of screen time.

Maria's luggage fills the entire rear of Sherman's car when they return from the airport. The Concorde allowance was a handbag and a single carry-on bag due to weight restrictions.

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Havana/Mermaids/The Sheltering Sky/Awakenings/The Long Walk Home (1990)