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Airport '77 is an American air disaster film released in 1977. It is 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 revolves around a private Boeing 747 carrying VIPs and priceless art that is hijacked and crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle, leading the survivors to fight for their lives. Despite mixed critical reviews, Airport '77 was a commercial success, grossing $91.1 million worldwide and receiving two Academy Award nominations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1977 |
| Genre | Action, Drama, Thriller |
| Rating | 5.8 |
| Duration | 1h 54m |
| Certification | PG |
| Director | Jerry Jameson |
| Producer | William Frye |
| Executive Producer | Jennings Lang |
| Screenplay | Michael Scheff, David Spector |
| Cast | Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, Brenda Vaccaro, George Kennedy |
| Plot | Hijacked private Boeing 747 carrying VIPs and art crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle |
| Locations | Burbank Airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Dulles International Airport, San Diego, Wakulla Springs State Park, Villa Vizcaya, Universal Studios |
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Airport '77's cast
Airport '77 is an American air disaster film released in 1977. It is the third instalment of the Airport film series. The film features an ensemble cast of veteran actors, including:
Jack Lemmon
Jack Lemmon, who played the hero of the film, was a prominent and acclaimed actor known for his versatile performances. He is considered a standout in Airport '77, delivering a compelling performance that anchored the narrative. Lemmon's career spanned several decades and included diverse roles that showcased his exceptional talent and range as an actor.
James Stewart
James Stewart, a legendary actor with a distinguished career, brought his considerable talent and screen presence to Airport '77. Known for his iconic roles in classic films, Stewart's involvement added a layer of prestige and experience to the ensemble cast.
Joseph Cotten
Joseph Cotten, a veteran actor with a rich career in Hollywood, lent his experience and talent to the film. Cotten's presence in Airport '77 reflected the film's emphasis on seasoned performers who could navigate the film's dramatic and intense narrative.
Olivia de Havilland
Olivia de Havilland, a celebrated actress with a long history in the film industry, brought grace and elegance to the cast of Airport '77. Her presence added a touch of classic Hollywood glamour to the production, and her performance was well-received by audiences and critics alike.
Brenda Vaccaro
Brenda Vaccaro, a talented actress, contributed to the film's success with her engaging performance. Vaccaro's role in Airport '77 showcased her ability to portray complex characters, and her involvement further emphasised the film's focus on strong female characters.
George Kennedy
George Kennedy returned to the Airport film series, reprising his role from the previous two films. Kennedy's familiarity with the franchise and his character added depth and continuity to the narrative, providing a sense of connection to the larger Airport universe.
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Filming locations
Airport '77, the 1977 American air disaster film, was filmed in various locations in the United States. The filming locations included:
- Florida: The Villa Vizcaya, a mansion located at 3251 South Miami Avenue, Coconut Grove, on the coast of South Miami, served as the museum-home of millionaire Philip Stevens, played by James Stewart, in the film. Wakulla Springs State Park, near Tallahassee, was another filming location in Florida, where underwater scenes were shot. A 70-foot mockup of the 747 jet was placed into the spring basin at Wakulla Springs for filming.
- California: Hollywood Burbank Airport (now Burbank Bob Hope Airport) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were both used for filming. Exterior shots of the Stevens 747 when parked were also filmed in California.
- Virginia: Dulles International Airport and the San Diego area were filming locations in this state.
Additionally, some scenes were filmed on a jet set mounted on cantilevers in Universal Studio, Hollywood.
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Plot
Airport '77 is an American air disaster film released in 1977. It is the third instalment of the Airport film series. The film stars Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, Brenda Vaccaro, and George Kennedy. It was directed by Jerry Jameson and written by Michael Scheff and David Spector.
The plot of Airport '77 centres on a private Boeing 747 plane owned by wealthy philanthropist Philip Stevens. Stevens invites guests to fly on his luxurious plane, Stevens Flight 23, to his Palm Beach, Florida estate. On board are his estranged adult daughter, her young son, and priceless artwork from Stevens's private collection, which is destined for his new museum. The artwork attracts a group of thieves led by co-pilot Bob Chambers, who hijack the plane mid-flight. They release sleeping gas into the cabin, knocking out unprotected crew and passengers. As the plane flies low to avoid radar detection, it hits an oil rig and crashes into the sea in the Bermuda Triangle.
The survivors, including Stevens, his daughter, and his grandson, are faced with a desperate struggle for survival as the plane sinks. The Navy is called in to raise the plane, and the passengers must fight to stay alive until help arrives. The film also features a subplot involving the pilot, Captain Don Gallagher, who is in love with a stewardess, and includes other stock characters such as the statesman, the ageing glamour girl, the doctor, and the dying child.
Despite mixed critical reviews, Airport '77 was a commercial success, grossing $91.1 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Academy Awards. The film's success led to it being featured in the Universal Studios Tour in California from 1977 until the early 1980s, with key scenes such as the hijacking, crash, and rescue being recreated for audiences.
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Reception
Airport '77, the 1977 American air disaster film, received mixed critical reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, 40% of 10 surveyed critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 5.4/10. Metacritic, on the other hand, gave the film a score of 36 out of 100, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews. Despite the mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, grossing $91.1 million worldwide. It was the third instalment of the Airport film series.
Variety, while acknowledging the "formula banality" of the story, praised the film's credibility and the inclusion of actual US Navy search and rescue procedures in the plot. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 2/4 stars, commenting that the movie was "relentlessly ridiculous and therefore never boring for long". The New York Times provided a more negative review, stating that the film "looks less like the work of a director and writers than like a corporate decision".
The film's success can be attributed to its ability to engage audiences with a thrilling story and a stellar ensemble cast, including renowned actors such as Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, and Brenda Vaccaro. The cast's elegant wardrobe, styled by Hollywood fashion expert Edith Head, added a layer of glamour to the tragic story, enhancing the overall appeal of the film.
The impact of Airport '77 extended beyond its initial release. From late 1977 until the early 1980s, the Universal Studios Tour in California featured the "Airport '77" Screen Test Theater", recreating key scenes and providing audiences with a unique interactive experience. The film's popularity and cultural significance were further emphasised by its nomination for two Academy Awards.
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Awards and nominations
Airport '77, the 1977 American air disaster film, was nominated for two Academy Awards. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film was a box-office hit, grossing $91.1 million worldwide.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Costume Design. The Academy Award nominations were well-deserved, given the film's elegant costume design and art direction. The cast was elegantly dressed, with Hollywood fashion expert Edith Head dressing the cast, including Brenda Vaccaro, who stood out in a pullover sweater.
In addition to the Academy Award nominations, the film also received nominations for other awards, including Best Production Design (Robert Knudson, Robert Glass, Don MacDougall, Gene S. and others).
While the film received mixed reviews from critics, with a rating of 5.4/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 36/100 on Metacritic, it was a financial success, grossing $30 million in the United States and Canada and a further $61 million internationally.
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Frequently asked questions
1977.
Jerry Jameson.
Michael Scheff and David Spector.
Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, Brenda Vaccaro, and George Kennedy.
A private Boeing 747 carrying VIPs and priceless art is hijacked and crashes into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle, leading to a desperate struggle for survival.
