Seven in Darkness

"Seven in Darkness" is the first episode of "The ABC Movie of the Week" and it's certainly a memorable...though contrived one. Think about it...an airliner with a group of blind people headed to a conference crashes...and just about all the blind people are fine but, miraculously, all the non-blind folks are killed!!! What are the odds?! So it's up to the blind folks to grope their way through the wilderness in order to find help...otherwise the gathering wolves will tear them to pieces. Along for the trek are a variety of caricatures-- such as the grouch who doesn't want to come to terms with being blind (Milton Berle), a pregnant woman, a war hero and a variety of other broad types. It's not a bad film and keeps you engaged...but the basic premise is a bit silly and tough to believe.

(DNF) This movie HAD potential. Unfortunately, after the plane crashes & only blind people are left, that's when it gets stupid. Unlike other reviewers, I'm ok with only blind people surviving the crash. Pilots ALWAYS die in plane crashes, and there were only two stewardesses, so no problem.

The problems begin when a blind war hero leads the survivors down a steep mountain, with nothing but some yarn. Uh, yeah, I'm out, can't watch any further. Ridiculous.

A group of blind people survive a plane crash.

This was probably a lot better in 1969 than it was in 2020. In the 70s several airplane disaster movies came out on TV or in cinemas, so this all seems way too routine now. Also, unlike the later versions, this sometimes features a way too obvious use of studio sets that replace location filming. And finally, the middle section of Seven In Darkness slows down to the point of boredom.

But the movie does have it's strong points, mainly the well directed ending which I dare not reveal. And the musical score was better (and more retro) than a lot of the later plane disaster shows.

I think Irwin Allen was watching and he later pinched ideas - Beyond The Poseidon Adventure (1979) had a blind guy and When Time Ran Out (1980) had a very long bridge walk that resembles this.

Basically, watch Seven In Darkness, but don't expect too much.

An interesting little film. The plot is a bit far fetched and corny at times, but not incredible. A chartered plane carrying mostly blind passengers to a convention, crashes in the wilderness and only the blind survive. It is quite interesting to see how they try to extricate themselves and make it back to civilization. Those who see this movie will never again take their eyesight for granted. This film used to be rerun quite often, but, as far as I know, it hasn't been released on video and has not been broadcast for many years. I can't figure out why. It's an interesting and unique addition to the "disaster film" genre with brand name actors; including Milton Berle in a dramatic role; and should do well if re-released.

It's the story of a plane crash in a remote area, where the surviving passengers attempt to make their way to civilization and life. Here, though, they happen to be blind. Milton Berle is superb as Sam, an embittered, angry man caught up in his past disappointments and who is now in the struggle of his life.