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Airport '77 is a 1977 American air disaster film, the third instalment of the Airport film series. The film stars an ensemble cast of veteran actors including Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, and Brenda Vaccaro. The plot centres on a private Boeing 747 owned by a millionaire philanthropist, carrying a group of VIPs and priceless art, that is hijacked and crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle. The survivors are forced to fight for their lives, facing a desperate struggle for survival. Despite mixed critical reviews, Airport '77 was a commercial success, grossing $91.1 million worldwide and receiving two Academy Award nominations. But is it based on a true story?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film Type | Air disaster film |
| Genre | Action, Drama, Thriller |
| Based on True Story? | No |
| Release Date | 1977 |
| Director | Jerry Jameson |
| Producer | William Frye |
| Executive Producer | Jennings Lang |
| Screenplay | Michael Scheff and David Spector |
| Starring | Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, Brenda Vaccaro, George Kennedy |
| Plot | Hijacking and crashing of a private Boeing 747 carrying VIPs and priceless art |
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What You'll Learn
- Airport '77 is a 1977 American air disaster film
- The film stars Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, and Lee Grant
- The plot involves a mid-air hijacking and crash into the Bermuda Triangle
- The film received mixed critical reviews but was a box-office hit
- The Universal Studios Tour featured Airport '77 as part of its Screen Test Theater
Airport '77 is a 1977 American air disaster film
The plot of Airport '77 centres around a private Boeing 747 owned by a wealthy philanthropist named Philip Stevens (James Stewart). The plane is packed with VIPs and priceless art and is headed to Stevens' estate in Palm Beach, Florida. However, mid-flight, the plane is hijacked by a group of thieves led by the co-pilot, Bob Chambers (Robert Foxworth). They lure Captain Don Gallagher (Jack Lemmon) from the cockpit and knock him unconscious using sleeping gas. The hijackers plan to steal the artwork and land the plane on a deserted island, but things go awry when the plane descends too low and collides with an offshore drilling platform. As a result, the plane crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle, and the survivors are left struggling to escape and survive.
The rest of the film focuses on the rescue attempts as the plane slowly sinks underwater. Captain Gallagher and a professional diver, Martin Wallace (Christopher Lee), attempt to swim to the surface, but the sudden rush of water kills Wallace. Gallagher manages to reach the surface and activate an emergency beacon, leading to a rescue operation. The Navy is dispatched to the crash site and works to raise the plane, which is slowly sinking due to water pressure compromising the fuselage.
While the film received mixed reviews, it was a commercial success and was even featured as part of the Universal Studios Tour in California from late 1977 until the early 1980s. Audience members were able to recreate key scenes, such as the hijacking, crash, and rescue, and their footage was incorporated into a brief digest version of the film.
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The film stars Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, and Lee Grant
Airport '77 is a 1977 American air disaster film, the third instalment of the Airport film series. The film stars an ensemble cast of veteran actors, including Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, and Lee Grant. Lemmon takes the lead as Captain Don Gallagher, a role that showcases his versatility as an actor, while Grant delivers a memorable performance as the shrewish, boozy, and sarcastic Emily Livingston, a philanthropist with a hidden agenda.
Lemmon's character navigates treacherous waters, limited oxygen, and personal conflicts as he works with the other survivors to escape their underwater prison. The film's strong performances, gripping set pieces, and high-stakes scenario make it a classic entry in the disaster movie genre. Lemmon's portrayal of a determined and resourceful pilot anchors the film, while Grant's complex portrayal of a philanthropist adds depth and humour to the story.
James Stewart, who plays the role of Joe Patroni, joins Lemmon and Grant in leading the star-studded cast. Stewart's performance as the veteran aeronautics expert brings depth and experience to the film. As a technical adviser, his character plays a crucial role in the search and rescue operation for the missing plane.
The film's plot centres on a private Boeing 747 owned by wealthy philanthropist Philip Stevens. Stevens invites guests to fly in his luxurious jetliner, Stevens Flight 23, to his Palm Beach, Florida estate. Unbeknownst to the passengers, the plane is packed with priceless art, which motivates a group of thieves led by co-pilot Bob Chambers to hijack the aircraft. Mid-flight, Captain Gallagher is lured from the cockpit and knocked unconscious, allowing the hijackers to take control.
As the film progresses, the plane crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle, forcing the survivors to fight for their lives. The special effects, particularly the scenes depicting the submerged airplane and the underwater rescue efforts, add to the sense of realism and danger faced by the characters. Despite mixed critical reviews, *Airport '77* was a box-office success, grossing $91.1 million worldwide and earning nominations for two Academy Awards.
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The plot involves a mid-air hijacking and crash into the Bermuda Triangle
Airport '77 is a 1977 American air disaster film. It is the third instalment of the Airport film series. The plot involves a mid-air hijacking and crash into the Bermuda Triangle.
The film centres on a private Boeing 747, owned by wealthy philanthropist Philip Stevens, who is transporting a group of invited guests and priceless artwork from his collection to his estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Unbeknownst to Stevens, his estranged adult daughter and her young son are also among the passengers. The aircraft, known as Stevens Flight 23, is piloted by Captain Don Gallagher.
Mid-flight, Captain Gallagher is lured out of the cockpit and knocked unconscious. The hijackers, led by co-pilot Bob Chambers, release sleeping gas into the cabin, incapacitating the unprotected crew and passengers. Their plan is to steal the priceless artwork and fly under the radar to a small deserted island to offload the treasures.
As Flight 23 descends to a dangerously low altitude to avoid radar detection, it enters a thick fog bank, reducing visibility. Suddenly, a large offshore drilling platform looms out of the haze directly in their path. Despite Chambers' efforts, the plane's wing clips the platform's tower, igniting one of the engines. Although Chambers manages to extinguish the fire, the plane stalls due to a sudden loss of airspeed and crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle.
The plane settles in shallow water, initially floating but eventually sinking below the surface. The fuselage is compromised, and water starts leaking in, while the air inside the cabin slowly runs out. The hijackers and passengers now find themselves in a desperate fight for survival, as rescuers scramble to locate the downed aircraft and mount a rescue operation.
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The film received mixed critical reviews but was a box-office hit
The 1977 American air disaster film Airport '77 received mixed reviews from critics. While some critics praised the film for its strong cast and thrilling plot, others found it to be ludicrous and silly. However, despite the mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, grossing $91.1 million worldwide and becoming a box-office hit.
One of the main attractions of the film was its ensemble cast, which included veteran actors such as Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, and Brenda Vaccaro. Lee Grant, who played an alcoholic wife, was also highlighted for her hilarious and unforgettable performance, delivering rude and brash comments throughout the film.
The plot of Airport '77 centres around the mid-air hijacking of a millionaire's private Boeing 747, packed with VIPs and priceless art. The hijackers use sleeping gas to knock out the crew and passengers, intending to steal the artwork. However, their plan goes awry when the plane crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle, leading to a desperate struggle for survival.
While some critics found the premise and characterizations silly and goofy, others acknowledged that the film held their attention and delivered satisfying thrills. The strong presence of a believable hero in Jack Lemmon's character was also credited for elevating the film above a typical disaster movie.
In addition to its commercial success, Airport '77 was also nominated for two Academy Awards, further cementing its popularity with audiences. The film's success led to it being featured in the Universal Studios Tour in California from late 1977 until the early 1980s, where audiences could recreate key scenes and experience a brief digest version of the film.
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The Universal Studios Tour featured Airport '77 as part of its Screen Test Theater
The Universal Studios Tour in California featured Airport '77 as part of its Screen Test Theatre from late 1977 until the early 1980s. Airport '77 is a 1977 American air disaster film, the third instalment of the Airport film series. It stars an ensemble cast of veteran actors including Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, and Brenda Vaccaro. The plot concerns a private Boeing 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art that is hijacked before crashing into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle.
The Screen Test Theatre featured five sets from the film: an exit door above a water tank, a staff-only section inside the cabin, a section of the exterior of a jumbo jet which lifted up to reveal the passenger cabin, the air-traffic control tower, and the front of the plane, including the flight deck. Members of the studio audience were selected to fill the various roles in the short video, with some being taken backstage to be fitted with uniforms for their character roles. The audience would then watch as these scenes were filmed, with key scenes such as the hijacking, crash, and rescue being recreated. The footage was then incorporated into a brief digest version of the film and screened for the audience on monitors.
The Screen Test Theatre utilised new video technology to provide a thrilling experience for its guests. Guests were able to see themselves in exciting sequences, including a flooded cargo hold of a jumbo jet, a passenger cabin that rocked and shook, and a jump to safety into a tank of water representing the treacherous waters of the Devil's Triangle. This attraction provided a unique and immersive experience, allowing guests to feel as if they were part of the film and witnessing the action first-hand.
By the mid-1980s, the Screen Test Theatre had evolved into a western-themed comedy stunt show, replacing the disaster movie theme with a lighter and more humorous tone. Despite the changes, the Screen Test Theatre remained a popular attraction at Universal Studios, offering guests a chance to step into the world of movies and experience the excitement of film production.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Airport '77 is a 1977 American air disaster film and the third instalment of the Airport film series.
The plot of Airport '77 centres around a private Boeing 747 owned by a millionaire philanthropist named Philip Stevens. The plane is packed with VIPs and priceless art and is hijacked mid-flight by a group of thieves led by co-pilot Bob Chambers. The hijackers use sleeping gas to knock out the crew and passengers and plan to steal the artwork. However, the plane crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle, and the survivors are left fighting for their lives.
Airport '77 features an ensemble cast of veteran actors, including Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, and Brenda Vaccaro. It was directed by Jerry Jameson and was a box-office hit, grossing $91.1 million worldwide. Despite this, the film received mixed critical reviews.
