Katastrophenflug 243

You might wonder why the opening text of Miracle Landing lets you know the outcome and that the film is based on a true story, but the reason is soon revealed. If you weren't told it was a true story, you would never believe it. In this airplane drama, the roof of the passenger compartment flies off mid-flight. Without any communication between the stewardesses and the cockpit, and very little between the pilots and airflight control, they have to land the plane. It really is unbelievable; but then again, it really did happen.

As in the classic formula, the main characters have a bit of a backstory in the set-up before takeoff. The pilot (Wayne Rogers) is an ex-flyboy from the Vietnam War, the co-pilot (Connie Sellecca) is a woman in training, and one of the stewardesses (Ana Alicia) is a single mom who wants to set a good example for her daughter. The head stewardess is Nancy Kwan, although she unfortunately has a very small part. Other passengers include a honeymoon couple, a kid coming back from vacation, old folks who are nervous about flying, and the other usual tropes you'll usually find in a disaster movie. There's some "intense" music, some low-budget special effects, and an obvious "disaster-flick" script, but somehow this tv movie gives you an emotional experience.

The opening text told me what to expect, but I was at the edge of my seat with a lump in my throat the entire time. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and I didn't know how anyone would make it out alive. And how did Ana Alicia get up the courage to keep throwing herself up and down the aisles to help people, knowing that if she let go for a second, she'd be sucked out of the plane and killed? Truly inspiring, and although cheesy, a must-see for disaster movie fans.

I find myself in the unusual position of agreeing with all the previous commentators! Unlike "airport"-style movies, this one is not overly dramatic. And for that reason it is interesting and realistic, and (possibly paradoxically) slightly "undramatic".

Compare this with "Apollo 13" (err, the movie, not the event), where certain events were "dramatized". What - an accident in space that could result in the deaths of all on board, for the first time ever, in space, on TV, is not dramatic enough????? I wonder whether "Apollo 13" would have been "better" or "worse" without this "dramatisation"? This movie certainly opens that question. This movie shows that the understated approach _can_ work.

I also agree with the comments about the "flying hair", not only of Connie Seleca, as mentioned, but of all the women involved. My recollection of stewardesses in the 1980s is that they were somewhat more professional in appearance; those who had long hair wore it up and back. Certainly in Australian airlines of the day the flowing hair was not tolerated. This is distracting from the drama. It gives a slight soft-core porn feel to the movie, which is unnecessary and inappropriate, and spoils the whole effect.

I too could think only of Trapper when looking at the pilot. He did seem to stretch the definition of "nonchalance" to the limit:-).

In summary, I agree with the sense of this group of guidelines. A very good movie. Realistic. As to the lack of surprise ending: it doesn't harm "Titanic", it doesn't harm this one, either.

Miracle Landing is a very well done film. It's a miracle that more people were not killed when the front section of the plane (roof section) tore away, sucking out one of the flight attendants. This is a true story, which made viewing it all the more enjoyable. My heart really went out to all the crew & passengers. What an ordeal to go through.Trust me, this is a great film to see. Mark Snows music adds that much more to it...

Miracle Landing, in my opinion, is a superb show involving everyday people caught up in a terrible potential disaster. It is very realistic and I couldn't help but feel for all those people on that flight. The heroism of the crew shows the spirit that each of us have inside to overcome adversity and work toward a common good. Very well done.

This is one of our favorite movies. We have been to Hawaii many times and used to ride on both Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. We would sincerely like to own a dvd or blu Rey of this movie. Please re-issue it so we can buy a copy. Also like to buy a gift copy. Thank you.