This film is a pleasant enough way to while away a Sunday afternoon. It's becoming something of a cult classic with students (in Britain) due to the casting- Scott Bakula will forever be associated with Dr Samuel Beckett but the more legendary of the two doctors surely has to be Dr Karl Kennedy.....
15 Reviews
Suspenseful Airplan-in-Jepeordy Movie.
rmax30482323 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Rather nicely done for the genre. Scott Bakula is flying a small Cessna from Pago Pago to Norfolk Island and finds himself lost over the wide Pacific due to instrument malfunction. No ships around -- not that anyone knows where he is -- and the only other traffic is an Air New Zealand Boeing passenger plane, piloted by Robert Loggia. Bakula calls an airport and declares an emergency. His plane is low on fuel and he plans on ditching in a few hours before the sun sets. Loggia, informed of the situation, decides to help Bakula. The rest of the film consists of Loggia and Bakula trying with increasing desperation to find each other in the darkening skies so that Loggia can guide Bakula to the nearest airport at Aukland. They get the job done, but not without a lot of intervening problems.
There's nothing particularly outstanding about the acting. All the principals are professionally competent. And there are some nice shots of a Boeing heavy in a sunlit sky. Bakula's little Cessna, a goofy-looking low-winged crop duster, looks like a joke unto itself.
The script is a little stereotyped. Bakula simply MUST have a pregnant wife back home who wants him to quit his freelance flying job. And, hearing of the impending disaster, she MUST be patched through to Loggia's airplane so that he can pass sentimental messages back and forth. The script is at its best when it sticks to technical matters and the directing is best when the actors speak in dry, crisp tones. Pilots don't scream at one another over the radio.
Whoever did the special effects for the thunderstorm that the planes have to fly through should be fired. Bakula shouts: "I'm flying into a thunderhead!" Immediate -- and I mean like right away -- the camera goes ape, shaking all over the place as if being kicked from all directions, the lightning flashes from the strobe lights are constant and blindingly bright, and the electronic thunder is constantly crashing around our ears. Loggia's huge passenger plane goes through almost as much turmoil as Bakula's little Cessna.
That's wretched excess. A more imaginative approach to the thunderstorm experience would be built up gradually, with intimations of mortality, a few dim booms first, and some diffuse pink flashes in the distance before the impact, to give the audience a chance to worry properly. And the little Cessna shouldn't be whacked around. It should fall and rise in excessive swoops. The apparent danger is vitiated by the fact that everything lets go at once. There's no tension or anxiety. As it is, when Bakula yells, "I'm LOSING IT!", there's no evidence that his airplane is being battered any more than it was when he was in control.
The film holds a viewer's interest, though. It's no fun to be lost over the ocean in a small plane and have to ditch. Look at Amelia Earhart. It happened to me, too, and it was scary as hell, though it was a bright sunny afternoon off Montauk Point and the seas were light. Ditching in the dark must be a nightmare. There are tense scenes aboard Loggia's plane too. Just how much is he willing to risk to save a single life? Considering that he has not only his own crew but 88 passengers aboard, many of them children. He risks quite a lot actually, small things first, then more important things, like dumping fuel to create a contrail.
An interesting job for a TV movie.
There's nothing particularly outstanding about the acting. All the principals are professionally competent. And there are some nice shots of a Boeing heavy in a sunlit sky. Bakula's little Cessna, a goofy-looking low-winged crop duster, looks like a joke unto itself.
The script is a little stereotyped. Bakula simply MUST have a pregnant wife back home who wants him to quit his freelance flying job. And, hearing of the impending disaster, she MUST be patched through to Loggia's airplane so that he can pass sentimental messages back and forth. The script is at its best when it sticks to technical matters and the directing is best when the actors speak in dry, crisp tones. Pilots don't scream at one another over the radio.
Whoever did the special effects for the thunderstorm that the planes have to fly through should be fired. Bakula shouts: "I'm flying into a thunderhead!" Immediate -- and I mean like right away -- the camera goes ape, shaking all over the place as if being kicked from all directions, the lightning flashes from the strobe lights are constant and blindingly bright, and the electronic thunder is constantly crashing around our ears. Loggia's huge passenger plane goes through almost as much turmoil as Bakula's little Cessna.
That's wretched excess. A more imaginative approach to the thunderstorm experience would be built up gradually, with intimations of mortality, a few dim booms first, and some diffuse pink flashes in the distance before the impact, to give the audience a chance to worry properly. And the little Cessna shouldn't be whacked around. It should fall and rise in excessive swoops. The apparent danger is vitiated by the fact that everything lets go at once. There's no tension or anxiety. As it is, when Bakula yells, "I'm LOSING IT!", there's no evidence that his airplane is being battered any more than it was when he was in control.
The film holds a viewer's interest, though. It's no fun to be lost over the ocean in a small plane and have to ditch. Look at Amelia Earhart. It happened to me, too, and it was scary as hell, though it was a bright sunny afternoon off Montauk Point and the seas were light. Ditching in the dark must be a nightmare. There are tense scenes aboard Loggia's plane too. Just how much is he willing to risk to save a single life? Considering that he has not only his own crew but 88 passengers aboard, many of them children. He risks quite a lot actually, small things first, then more important things, like dumping fuel to create a contrail.
An interesting job for a TV movie.
Unusual "plane" story that's nicely suspenseful ...
Vic_max24 May 2008
The fact that the movie is about a little known real-life aviation event in 1978 got me to start watching the movie. What held my interest was the suspense of finding out the fate of "the lost pilot". Scott Bakula was great in this role because he easily came across as a likable fellow who you want to root for.
Basically, the story recounts a 1978 incident near Australia in which a commercial jetliner went looking for a single occupant plane that was lost over the ocean. The small plane was still flying, but had lost navigational capability and was also running out of fuel. The pilot was planning to ditch into the sea ... and no one knew where he was.
The creative techniques that the captain of the commercial jetliner used to try and find the plane were impressive. They are also based on what actually happened - so this was pretty cool to watch. The captain's further efforts to convince the passengers to allow the search were interesting as well. The story was quite unusual as far as "plane" movies go, so this was a treat.
This movie is a pretty good story that just about everyone is likely to enjoy; I recommend checking it out. (If you're a plane enthusiast, definitely catch this one!)
Basically, the story recounts a 1978 incident near Australia in which a commercial jetliner went looking for a single occupant plane that was lost over the ocean. The small plane was still flying, but had lost navigational capability and was also running out of fuel. The pilot was planning to ditch into the sea ... and no one knew where he was.
The creative techniques that the captain of the commercial jetliner used to try and find the plane were impressive. They are also based on what actually happened - so this was pretty cool to watch. The captain's further efforts to convince the passengers to allow the search were interesting as well. The story was quite unusual as far as "plane" movies go, so this was a treat.
This movie is a pretty good story that just about everyone is likely to enjoy; I recommend checking it out. (If you're a plane enthusiast, definitely catch this one!)
Heart-warming television movie
Flippitygibbit6 October 2002
Dr. Sam Beckett (Quantum Leap) and Dr. Kennedy (Neighbours) attempt to fly from San Francisco to Australia in two 'toy planes' - but once I managed to get past this concept, I was hooked! A true Christmas film with plenty of spirit, 'Mercy Mission' is both exciting and believable. I don't know a lot about the technical side of the action, but that didn't stop me rooting for the characters - wanting Jay not to give in, and Gordon to win the approval of his passengers (I loved his explanation to the children on board about what had happened to Jay, and why they needed to help). And, of course, by the end, I was just as emotional as those on screen - which is how any Christmas movie worth its salt should affect an audience. Frank's battle with his plane in Pago Pago was also convincing (even if his accent was a little trans-continental), and the dialogue was both strong and funny ("How old could you be?" "This guy's really old, 771") This film is recommended any time of year, as it's easy to watch, but sharing your Christmas with Gordon and Jay really adds to the experience.
Great Movie
LindaY23 December 2001
My husband doesn't usually like the normal type of Christmas movie, but this is one film we watch every year. We are usually both sniffling by the end. Robert Loggia is simply great as Gordon, and Scott Bakula his usual likeable self. Also love the passengers on the plane, the mistletoe good luck charm, etc.
BTW, the two guys grinning and celebrating up in the tower when Jay finally lands are the real Jay and Gordon!
BTW, the two guys grinning and celebrating up in the tower when Jay finally lands are the real Jay and Gordon!
Surprisingly Suspenseful True Story
sjt872712 July 2006
If you fly or have ever flown as a passenger out over an ocean and experienced its vastness, or if you've ever been lost in the middle of nowhere without a map, at night and running out of gas, then you'll totally relate to this movie about the rescue of a solo Cessna pilot lost over the ocean between Pogo Pogo and Auckland, New Zealand. I found it suspenseful and engrossing in spite of thinking I knew how it'd end. The leads are well acted by Scott Bakula & Robert Loggia despite both of them being strapped to their pilot seats for most of the movie. I found myself on the edge of my seat at times. There characters form an interesting father-son type relationship exclusively from their conversations over the radio. I found their conversations the most interesting part of the movie. And at the end I was totally blown away to discover that this was a true story!
yawn - another awful TV movie
catpeee11 September 2009
Indeed it is. Scott Bakula, lots of Aussies/Kiwis and Robert Loggia hamming their way through a substandard TV movie about a near air disaster.
Maverick pilot takes off, trying to raise funds for pregnant wife, gets into trouble, Loggia captaining a commercial airliner guides him to safety. Oh, and it's Christmas time. Bakula is basically playing Sam Beckett, Loggia is playing Loggia and Dr Karl from Neighbours plays a pilot with a dodgy American accent. I really can't stand these Aussie films, they are so amateur. There was obviously a budget of two and six. Film quality is not good at all. And why Rebecca Rigg, playing the pregnant wife and the only decent actor in this, got involved I don't know. Maybe she needed the money.
Maverick pilot takes off, trying to raise funds for pregnant wife, gets into trouble, Loggia captaining a commercial airliner guides him to safety. Oh, and it's Christmas time. Bakula is basically playing Sam Beckett, Loggia is playing Loggia and Dr Karl from Neighbours plays a pilot with a dodgy American accent. I really can't stand these Aussie films, they are so amateur. There was obviously a budget of two and six. Film quality is not good at all. And why Rebecca Rigg, playing the pregnant wife and the only decent actor in this, got involved I don't know. Maybe she needed the money.
Moving true story, with enough of the Hollywood touch to keep viewers hooked
leaper875717 January 2006
As a Scott Bakula fan, I approached this film with high hopes, and I was not disappointed.
Brilliantly acted, most notably by both Bakula and Loggia who portrayed the growing rapport between the two protagonists very sensitively and realistically.
Having said that, the supporting cast were also well cast, from the main characters such as the wife and the fellow pilot, to minor roles like the boys in the Flight Control booth.
It was funny, it was tense, it had me on the edge of my seat and it had me in tears. It was wonderful.
I highly recommend it.
Brilliantly acted, most notably by both Bakula and Loggia who portrayed the growing rapport between the two protagonists very sensitively and realistically.
Having said that, the supporting cast were also well cast, from the main characters such as the wife and the fellow pilot, to minor roles like the boys in the Flight Control booth.
It was funny, it was tense, it had me on the edge of my seat and it had me in tears. It was wonderful.
I highly recommend it.
A tense rescue drama made for aviation buffs.
Larry-9811 June 1999
Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 is a tense rescue drama, made-to-order for aviation buffs! The movie starts off by introducing the main character, Jay Parkins, (played by Scott Bakula), as a kind of a rogue, itinerant pilot, unwilling to settle down to the daily grind of an airline cockpit, and preferring to take on risky flying jobs where and when he can find them. Jay and his friend Frank (Alan Fletcher), take on the task of ferrying two Piper Ag Cats, which are crop dusting aircraft, on a long-haul over the Pacific Ocean all the way from San Francisco to Australia. Obviously, the premise is ridiculous, but the movie is supposed to be based on a true story, so somewhere, there had to be two pilots crazy enough to actually try this stunt!
Predictably, problems plague the mission. First, Frank cracks up on take off from Pago Pago, leaving Jay to continue the rest of the trip alone. Then, through a combination of mechanical failures and poor judgment, Jay gets over the Pacific Ocean on the last leg of the trip. Fortunately, both his HF and VHF radios still work, and he calls for help from an Air Traffic Control center in New Zealand. This is where Captain Gordon Vette, played by bad-guy Robert Loggia in a refreshingly non-type cast role, comes to the rescue. Utilizing a very plausible air-to-air search procedure, Capt. Vette and his Air New Zealand flight crew locate Jay, and ultimately help navigate him to safety. I won't give away any more of the plot details, but suffice it to say that as a highly critical aviation movie buff, this movie did very little to annoy me, or insult my intelligence as someone with more than a passing knowledge of aviation. Technical assistance was very good.
The "goofs" note the transformation of the ANZ commercial aircraft from a B-737 to a B-767, but that sort of continuity problem is common and pretty much must be overlooked, since stock footage is cheaper than setting up a location shot just to depict a jet airliner take-off.
The thing I enjoyed most about this film is the likeability of the characters, which were developed just enough to let us get to know them enough to care about them. The real Capt. Vette, an American Ex-Air Force pilot stationed in New Zealand after marrying a local girl, seems to be the ideal of the individualistic, capable, yet compassionate airline Captain -- someone into whose hands you would gladly trust your life. This is what film does best -- portray the human condition in a manner which makes the viewer identify with the characters and the situation. The rest of the plot elements -- Jay's long-suffering wife, who would prefer the financial security of her husband's boredom in an airline cockpit, Jay's side-kick Frank, who wasn't thrilled about the "mission" in the first place, and the people on the ground and aboard the Air New Zealand flight who work together to make the rescue mission work -- are all done just right, and greatly help the viewer enjoy the film!
I give this movie 3 1/2 propeller blades out of four! It is a very interesting movie which I recommend to all aviation enthusiasts!
Predictably, problems plague the mission. First, Frank cracks up on take off from Pago Pago, leaving Jay to continue the rest of the trip alone. Then, through a combination of mechanical failures and poor judgment, Jay gets over the Pacific Ocean on the last leg of the trip. Fortunately, both his HF and VHF radios still work, and he calls for help from an Air Traffic Control center in New Zealand. This is where Captain Gordon Vette, played by bad-guy Robert Loggia in a refreshingly non-type cast role, comes to the rescue. Utilizing a very plausible air-to-air search procedure, Capt. Vette and his Air New Zealand flight crew locate Jay, and ultimately help navigate him to safety. I won't give away any more of the plot details, but suffice it to say that as a highly critical aviation movie buff, this movie did very little to annoy me, or insult my intelligence as someone with more than a passing knowledge of aviation. Technical assistance was very good.
The "goofs" note the transformation of the ANZ commercial aircraft from a B-737 to a B-767, but that sort of continuity problem is common and pretty much must be overlooked, since stock footage is cheaper than setting up a location shot just to depict a jet airliner take-off.
The thing I enjoyed most about this film is the likeability of the characters, which were developed just enough to let us get to know them enough to care about them. The real Capt. Vette, an American Ex-Air Force pilot stationed in New Zealand after marrying a local girl, seems to be the ideal of the individualistic, capable, yet compassionate airline Captain -- someone into whose hands you would gladly trust your life. This is what film does best -- portray the human condition in a manner which makes the viewer identify with the characters and the situation. The rest of the plot elements -- Jay's long-suffering wife, who would prefer the financial security of her husband's boredom in an airline cockpit, Jay's side-kick Frank, who wasn't thrilled about the "mission" in the first place, and the people on the ground and aboard the Air New Zealand flight who work together to make the rescue mission work -- are all done just right, and greatly help the viewer enjoy the film!
I give this movie 3 1/2 propeller blades out of four! It is a very interesting movie which I recommend to all aviation enthusiasts!
The movies is a combination of acting skills
naomilarryswan24 December 2004
This is an aviation movie bathed in emotion and adventure. The acting is superb. Scott Bacula captured the desperation of a young husband and father-to-be without enough monetary support for his family He was willing to make the Christmas sacrifice of being away in an effort to give to his family. The Christmas spirit was woven throughout the movie including the small angel chime hanging above the window. Many aviation rescue movies are unbelievably filled with technical errors. This one was on the mark. I always enjoyed it on TV during the holiday season, however I can't seem to find it. I would love to purchase a copy if anyone has an idea how to do this. I appreciate any help.
A great movie for Christmas viewing
katgildez11 December 2006
I have watched this movie every Christmas since it came out. And the copy we have is a very old video! It's impossible to find in DVD form--I don't know why,because it is one of Robert Loggia's best movies, and Scott Bakula's as well. It's hard to believe a movie that is mostly a conversation between two pilots flying in separate planes over the ocean can be so moving, but it is. It is also suspenseful-keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. This movie is a great example of the ability of one person to encourage another through difficult times. Brings to mind "Flight of the Phoenix" (the one with Jimmy Stewart), in how people work together to solve a seemingly impossible situation. What adds to the specialness of this movie is that it is based on a true incident.
Great Holiday Film
cherokee616 December 2008
This is an annual tradition for our home.The first time I saw this film I was working toward my pilot's license so it was very timely. Scott Bakula is convincing as the struggling pilot. Robert Laggio has long been a favorite actor of mine. It is also not a quick fix type of story. Life is usually more complicated, as it depicts. You empathize with Jay and his wife and their struggles to keep their marriage going in the face of financial struggles as well as personal desires and needs. I love the message of the film, it has so many messages that apply to our lives. Such as not quitting, dealing with utter loneliness,the power of love and the strength of one individual who decides to stand with someone. The fact it is based on a true story makes it even better. Terrific film.
Dying to see this movie
dmf156731 January 2007
I have not seen this movie, but a co-worker of mine reminds me to look for it every Christmas season, all to no avail. My co-worker has absolutely raved about this movie, but it is never scheduled to show. Now, why can't one of the cable channels run these types of movies? They show some movies over and over again until you can't stand the sight of that particular movie any longer, and they forget about some of these heartfelt movies that are so good. Also, I looked on Amazon and the price they want for a copy of this movie is ridiculous, ranging from $44.00 to over a $100.00 for a VHS tape. I'm wondering why this movie is so expensive to buy, when I can buy other movies for $20.00.
A great rescue story; in the tradition of Flight of the Phoenix
simonandkatie20016 February 2010
I like to describe this movie as "clean". By that I mean two things.
First is the scenery and cinematography. When you look at the scenery you know exactly what you're looking at because there is no attempt to contaminate it with special effects. Maybe there was just a tad of special effects; when the second small plane crashed on takeoff from Pago Pago. But that only took a few minutes of the movie.
The second thing I mean by clean is the plot. It is straight forward, simple, and easy to follow. No fancy and complex intrigue to take away from the enjoyment. I believe another reviewer of this movie described it as easy to watch. That is so true.
Other good aspects of this movie are sound, score, writing, editing, and production design. The plot (a commercial airliner, with no search and rescue equipment, trying to find a lost small plane, whose navigation instruments have gone kaput, in the vast expanse of the Pacific) is dramatic, exciting, and well-paced. The ending is a source of tremendous joy, especially when you remember that this is a true story.
Finally, Robert Loggia gives a fine performance as the captain of the commercial airliner. Sometimes I felt I was right there in the cockpit with him and his first and second officers. And the people behind the camera also deserve high marks for their contributions to this very entertaining movie.
First is the scenery and cinematography. When you look at the scenery you know exactly what you're looking at because there is no attempt to contaminate it with special effects. Maybe there was just a tad of special effects; when the second small plane crashed on takeoff from Pago Pago. But that only took a few minutes of the movie.
The second thing I mean by clean is the plot. It is straight forward, simple, and easy to follow. No fancy and complex intrigue to take away from the enjoyment. I believe another reviewer of this movie described it as easy to watch. That is so true.
Other good aspects of this movie are sound, score, writing, editing, and production design. The plot (a commercial airliner, with no search and rescue equipment, trying to find a lost small plane, whose navigation instruments have gone kaput, in the vast expanse of the Pacific) is dramatic, exciting, and well-paced. The ending is a source of tremendous joy, especially when you remember that this is a true story.
Finally, Robert Loggia gives a fine performance as the captain of the commercial airliner. Sometimes I felt I was right there in the cockpit with him and his first and second officers. And the people behind the camera also deserve high marks for their contributions to this very entertaining movie.
Flight
startrekfan728 September 2022
This is a true story starring Scott bakula I bought a pilot who flew out of San Francisco in an AG truck basically a Cessna with very little instruments and a broken ADF who got lost in the Pacific after flying 14 hours out of pango pango
It is a very intensive movie well acted well played and directed for those who are in the flight this is a good movie my other favorite actor is in here Robert loggia Who plays Captain Gordon Vedic who was the senior Captain with Air New Zealand.
If you are in the airplanes like me you will enjoy this film it is definitely worth the time definitely pay attention to the terms being said in here it can be confusing sometimes like the term rat it stands for ram Air turbine Rescue of flight 771 is a true story and for my money it is worth the time attention.
It is a very intensive movie well acted well played and directed for those who are in the flight this is a good movie my other favorite actor is in here Robert loggia Who plays Captain Gordon Vedic who was the senior Captain with Air New Zealand.
If you are in the airplanes like me you will enjoy this film it is definitely worth the time definitely pay attention to the terms being said in here it can be confusing sometimes like the term rat it stands for ram Air turbine Rescue of flight 771 is a true story and for my money it is worth the time attention.
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