Jazmin Li
Airport is a 1970 drama film starring Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin. The film is about an airport manager trying to keep his airport open during a snowstorm, while a suicide bomber plots to blow up a Boeing 707 airliner in flight. The film originated the 1970s disaster film genre, establishing the convention of microcosmic melodrama combined with catastrophe-oriented adventure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 1970 |
| Genre | Action, Drama, Thriller |
| Plot | An airport manager tries to keep the fictional Lincoln International Airport near Chicago open during a snowstorm while a suicide bomber plots to blow up a Boeing 707 airliner in flight. |
| Cast | Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, George Kennedy, Helen Hayes, Van Heflin, Maureen Stapleton, Jacqueline Bisset, Barbara Hale |
| Rating | 6.6/10 on IMDb, 6.3/10 on Rotten Tomatoes, 42/100 on Metacritic |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Helen Hayes |
| Director | George Seaton |
| Novel | Based on Arthur Hailey's 1968 novel of the same name |
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What You'll Learn
A bomber on board an airplane
Airport is a 1970 drama film starring Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin. The film is about an airport manager, Mel Bakersfeld (Burt Lancaster), trying to keep his airport open during a snowstorm while a suicide bomber, D.O. Guerrero (Van Heflin), plots to blow up a Boeing 707 airliner in flight.
D.O. Guerrero is a struggling older man who has claimed to have found demolition work in Milwaukee but has actually booked a one-way ticket to Rome. His wife, Inez Guerrero (Maureen Stapleton), frantically travels to the airport but arrives after the plane has taken off. Guerrero is a nervous man with a history of mental illness who clutches his briefcase to his chest, refusing to talk to anybody.
Inez finds a Special Delivery envelope from a travel agency and, realizing D.O. might be doing something desperate, goes to the airport to try to dissuade him. She informs officials that he had been fired from a construction job for misplacing explosives and that their financial situation is dire. Meanwhile, back at Lincoln Airport, the closing of one runway due to a stuck plane requires the use of a shorter runway, causing planes to take off over a noise-sensitive suburb.
The film also follows the personal stories of the people involved, including the affair between Vernon Demerest, a senior pilot, and Gwen Meighen, a chief stewardess. Gwen is injured in an explosion and subsequent rapid decompression. With all airports east of Chicago unusable due to bad weather, the plane returns to Lincoln International for an emergency landing.
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An airport almost closed by snow
The 1970 drama film "Airport" is about an airport manager, Mel Bakersfeld (Burt Lancaster), who is trying to keep his fictional Lincoln International Airport near Chicago open during a snowstorm. The snowstorm is just one of many operational problems at the aging airport, with other issues including runway closures, noise pollution, and an aircraft stuck in the snow.
The snowstorm also serves as a backdrop to various personal problems of the people involved. Mel's brother-in-law, Vernon Demerest (Dean Martin), is a senior pilot for Trans Global Airlines (TGA) who is having an affair with Gwen Meighen (Jacqueline Bisset), a chief stewardess on his routine flights. Gwen is frustrated with the secret affair as Vern will not leave his wife. Vern and Gwen are both on board the TGA "Golden Argosy" Flight 2 to Rome, along with Vern's girlfriend, who is pregnant.
Meanwhile, Vern's wife's brother, Joe Patroni (George Kennedy), is leading the efforts to move the stuck aircraft, a Boeing 707, out of the snow. Patroni and his men have dug out the snow from the landing gear, but the plane gets stuck again after only moving a few feet. This causes a heated argument between Patroni and the pilot, who refused to use full power for fear of damaging the aircraft.
Adding to the drama, a suicide bomber, D.O. Guerrero (Van Heflin), has boarded Flight 2 with a bomb in his briefcase, intending to blow up the plane once it is over the ocean. Guerrero's wife, Inez (Maureen Stapleton), frantically travels to the airport after discovering her husband's plan, but she arrives too late, and the plane has already taken off.
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Personal problems of the people involved
In the 1970 film *Airport*, a group of individuals find themselves connected through a series of personal dramas and challenges, all set against the backdrop of a potentially catastrophic emergency at Lincoln International, a major Chicago airport. The personal problems faced by the key characters drive much of the narrative and add depth to the thrilling plot.
One of the central figures is Mel Bakersfeld (played by Burt Lancaster), the airport's general manager. Mel is facing a divorce from his wife, Cindy (Dana Wynter), who is struggling with her husband's dedication to his work and his frequent absences. She feels neglected and believes that Mel loves his job more than he loves her. This creates a strain on their relationship, and Mel finds himself torn between his professional responsibilities and his personal life.
Meanwhile, another key character, Guerrero (Van Heflin), is a troubled man with a mysterious past. He is a suicidal man who has a bomb with him and plans to blow up the plane he is on. Guerrero's personal problem is his mental health and the despair he feels, which has driven him to contemplate such a drastic and destructive act.
Tanya Livingston (Jean Seberg), a young, attractive, and unhappily married woman, is also traveling on the ill-fated flight. She is having an affair with a famous footballer, and her husband, D.O. Guerrero (Maureen Stapleton), discovers this infidelity. Her personal dilemma revolves around her unhappy marriage and the guilt and anxiety caused by her extramarital relationship.
Additionally, there is a subplot involving an aging, alcoholic actress, Inez Guerrero (played by Helen Hayes), who is traveling with her devoted maid, Mrs. Schultz (Maureen Stapleton). Inez's personal problem is her struggle with addiction and the toll it has taken on her career and life. She is also facing the challenges of aging and the potential loss of her fame and relevance.
These personal problems intersect and often mirror the broader crisis unfolding at the airport. As the characters grapple with their individual dilemmas, the tension rises, and their personal struggles become increasingly intertwined with the race to avert disaster.
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The response to a paralysing snowstorm
A severe snowstorm hits Chicago's International Airport, causing widespread chaos and threatening to shut down the entire airport. With flights grounded and passengers stranded, the airport management team has to act quickly to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
The airport's emergency response plan is immediately activated, with all available staff mobilized to deal with the crisis. Snowploughs and de-icing crews are dispatched to clear the runways and taxiways, working against the clock to ensure that planes can take off and land safely. Inside the terminal, passengers are provided with updates and assistance, ensuring they remain calm and comfortable during the disruption.
As the snow continues to fall, the situation becomes more critical. The weight of the snow threatens to collapse the airport's roofs, and there is a constant risk of stranded planes running out of fuel or being damaged by the extreme weather. Airport managers have to make tough decisions, including prioritizing emergency services and rerouting incoming flights to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
To assist with the response, the airport calls upon external agencies for help. The National Guard is called in to provide additional manpower and resources, helping to clear snow and providing medical assistance where needed. Local hotels and community centers offer shelter for stranded passengers, ensuring they have a warm and safe place to wait out the storm.
The response to the snowstorm is a testament to the resilience and dedication of the airport community. Despite the challenging conditions, the efficient and rapid response ensures that the airport can gradually resume operations. The crisis is averted, and normal services are restored, allowing passengers to continue their journeys and airport staff to reflect on a job well done in the face of a significant challenge.
Through effective planning, coordination, and a swift response, the airport manages to overcome the paralyzing snowstorm. This successful emergency response showcases the ability to handle crises and ensures the safety and well-being of thousands of travelers and staff, reflecting the professionalism and dedication of all involved.
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An attempt to blow up an airliner
In the 1970 film *Airport*, based on the Arthur Hailey novel of the same name, an attempt to blow up an airliner serves as a central plot point. Here is a detailed overview of this crucial element of the story:
The film's suspenseful narrative revolves around a commercial flight from Chicago to Rome and the various individuals involved in its operation. One of the key characters is a troubled passenger named D.O. Guerrero, portrayed by Van Heflin. Guerrero is a suicidal man who boards the flight with a bomb, intending to blow it up mid-air. His motive is rooted in a personal crisis and a desire to end his life while also taking a stand against the establishment.
Guerrero's plan is meticulously thought out. He carefully constructs a bomb, concealing it within a briefcase, and manages to smuggle it past security and onto the aircraft. He intends to detonate the device when the plane is over the Atlantic Ocean, ensuring that there is no possibility of survival for anyone on board. The bomb is equipped with a sophisticated timing mechanism, allowing him to set a delay and ensure the explosion occurs even if he is discovered and the bomb is removed from the plane.
As the flight progresses, Guerrero's presence and behavior arouse suspicion among the crew and passengers, including a veteran pilot, Captain Vernon Demerest (Dean Martin), and a head flight attendant, Gwen Meighen (Jacqueline Bisset). They notice his nervous demeanor and peculiar actions, such as repeatedly checking his watch and exhibiting signs of anxiety and distress. Their suspicions are further heightened when they discover that Guerrero is traveling alone and has no apparent purpose for his journey to Rome.
Demerest and Meighen, along with the co-pilot, Captain Anson Harris (George Kennedy), find themselves in a race against time as they try to prevent Guerrero from carrying out his deadly plan. They must balance the need to maintain control and safety on the aircraft while also dealing with other challenges, such as inclement weather and mechanical issues that arise during the flight. The tension escalates as they piece together the severity of the situation, realizing that a single mistake could lead to a catastrophic explosion and the loss of hundreds of lives.
The attempted bombing sets the stage for a thrilling and dramatic climax, as the crew members strategize to stop Guerrero and ensure the safety of everyone on board. Their efforts involve not only physical confrontations but also psychological tactics, as they attempt to understand Guerrero's motives and find a way to connect with him on a human level. The outcome of this confrontation will determine the fate of everyone involved, making it a pivotal moment in the film that showcases the resilience and heroism of those dedicated to ensuring the safety of air travel.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport is a 1970 drama film starring Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin. The film is about an airport manager trying to keep his airport open during a snowstorm, while a suicide bomber plots to blow up a Boeing 707 airliner in flight.
The movie received mixed reviews. Film critic Pauline Kael scornfully dismissed it as "bland entertainment of the old school". Roger Ebert gave the film two stars out of four and faulted its predictable plot and characters. Gene Siskel gave the film two-and-a-half stars out of four and reported that while the theater audience cheered at the climax, "it's a long and torturous road to the applause".
The movie won Helen Hayes an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as an elderly stowaway. It was also nominated for nine other Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design.
