The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story

And you thought your last vacation was bad! This modest 1987 made-for-TV docudrama, starring Lindsay Wagner as flight attendant Uli Derickson, does a surprisingly good job of depicting a 1985 Arab hijacking without too much of the expected overdone histrionics or Rambo-esquire heroics. The writing carefully and sensibly sticks to Derickson's perspective. This is certainly one of Wagner's best roles; she is affecting, again without being overly glamorized.

If this all has something of a Reader's Digest Drama-in-Real-Life feel to it, that goes with the territory. No great contribution to world cinema, but well done.

Based on a true story, Lindsay plays air hostess Uri Dereikson on a hijacked plane by Iranian terrorists. Good direction and enough suspense to see the viewer through to the end of the film. I wonder how cool and calm hostesses would be in real life? If I was on such a flight I'd want someone like Wagner as hostess, that's for sure.

One of the few Wagner movies available to purchase in Australia (most go straight to video)and scored well in the tv ratings when screened here more than a decade ago.Rating 8 out of 10.

Uli, if you have have some medication left over, I would like some.

Just why should they be releasing garbage like this on UK TV ( at this time)? Utter utter bolox, one of those films that ages before it was even put in the can.

Nothing on a plane equates to the passenger situation, even in the mid eighties. Wheres the sweat, the compression/decompression/noise. Only realistic detail is the in flight entertainment (nothing). even the meal given to the beaten man is too good to be true.

The main 'terrorist' is able to parle Englisch within a half hour of the movie, even though his chums on board have never recognised (recognized?) the language. and then one of his friends wants to marry the German speaking hostess - I can in a warped sense of reality imagine this, it takes toasted Stilton cheese before an early bedtime, and I would give the benefit of the doubt, but why ?.

Give all the film crew and cast a towel, facing East, towards Backpool, or anywhere, just to hide their heads in shame. Complete drivel