The Pilot

While the photography is beautiful, the premise of an airline pilot who drinks in the "blue room" during flights is a bit absurd. The low altitude flying scene of the venerable DC-8 over the deserts of the western U.S. is memorable, and accompanied by a superb musical score.

One of Denzel Washington's best films is "Flight"...the story of a drug and alcohol addicted pilot who manages to function amazingly well while hiding his addiction. I loved the movie and recommend you see it. I mention this because I watched "The Pilot" tonight and was surprised it was very much the same story...but made 32 years earlier!

Cliff Robertson both stars in "The Pilot" but directed it as well. Mike Hagen is an amazingly talented pilot. Through the course of the story, you see him make amazing decisions that saved his airliner...which is all the more amazing because he's actively drinking...even while flying the plane! Clearly his life out of the sky is falling apart...but he somehow manages to hold it together at work. The story eventually leads to others discovering his addiction and his reaction to this is what much of the story is about in the second half of the film.

I found a couple things about the movie pretty interesting. In real life, Robertson really WAS an experienced and excellent pilot. He also previously made one of the greatest made for TV films of all time, "Days of Wine and Roses". The film also found him playing an alcoholic and the story was so successful that it was later remade in Hollywood starring Jack Lemmon.

So is the story any good? Yes, though I must admit that "Flight" is a much stronger film. In other words, it's a very good film...but one that lacks the impact of the later movie. Well worth seeing in spite of this.

I'm not a pilot so the fact that so many reviewers appreciated the cockpit scenes is an added plus. I liked the movie because of its accurate depiction of an alcoholic and his recovery. The insidiousness of alcoholism is shown well. The relationships of people close to the alcoholic, to those who want to help and how the alcoholic hides or believes that he hides his problem are also very true to life. Not only is the movie uplifting because it shows that recovery is possible but also there is a strong "follow your heart and your passion" message. Finally, is it just me or is the new movie, Flight, by Zemekis with Denzel a total ripoff of this movie?? Seriously, saw the new movie yesterday which is a good movie but during the movie, I was going, "Wait, I saw this movie already about thirty years ago."

I met Cliff Robertson and his wife, Dina, in Florida in the 1980's. We spent some time together, dining, and talked on many subjects. I learned he had spent countless hours learning about alcoholism by talking to doctors, visiting clinics and hospitals. Lengthy discussions with men and women with the problem also allowed him to BE the roll. His demeanor and laid back style in real life was depicted in the movie, whenever he would talk to his daughter. He played the part of a man with a serious problem better than anyone could have. Each time I view the movie, I don't dwell on the man's problem, I focus on the real man facing life and a problem that faces so many. Nobody else could have pulled it off. Cliff was, and is, brilliant.

The story line is good. What makes this a must see is the true to life cockpit footage. This is the most real to life cockpit filming including ATC, checklist usage and procedures that I have ever seen. Thanks to Cliff Robertson, who is a pilot, this movie is awesome if you are a pilot-or a fan of aviation. Finding this movie is a difficult task. I found it once in Blockbuster in the mid 80's but nothing since. The whole movie is a struggle for Mike Hagan with drinking and keeping his edge in the cockpit. Good ending, doing what you love is what he turns to. I think this movie is underrated as the story line is a personal struggle and involves his work.