The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story
The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (also marketed as The Flight[1] for home video releases) is a 1988 American made-for-television drama film based on the actual hijacking of TWA Flight 847 as seen through the eyes of Uli Derickson, the chief flight attendant.[2] Derickson herself acted as a consultant for the film. The film was directed by Paul Wendkos.[3]
| The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story | |
|---|---|
 Original print ad | |
| Also known as | The Flight (home video release DVD and Blu-Ray reissue) |
| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Norman Morrill |
| Directed by | Paul Wendkos |
| Starring | Lindsay Wagner Eli Danker Sandy McPeak |
| Music by | Gil Mellé Demis Roussos |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English, Arabic, German |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Jim Calio David Hume Kennerly |
| Producer(s) | Jay Benson |
| Production location(s) | Stage 20, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank |
| Cinematography | Chuck Arnold |
| Editor(s) | James Galloway |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Columbia TriStar Television |
| Distributor | NBC |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Picture format | Color |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original release | May 2, 1988 |
Synopsis
The film showcases the first 48 hours of the hijacking, until Derickson's liberation. After the aircraft leaves Athens, Derickson is forced at gunpoint to the flight deck door by "Castro", one of the terrorists. She is able to defuse the situation by communicating with him in German[4] and singing a folk song,[5] convincing him to release hostages upon landing in Beirut and Algiers and pleading for the other hijacker to stop harming the passengers. Her efforts are shown to save the lives of all but one hostage, Robert Stethem, whose body was thrown on the tarmac in Beirut.
Cast
- Lindsay Wagner — Uli Derickson (Chief Flight Attendant)
- Eli Danker — "Castro" (Lead hijacker; based on Mohammed Ali Hammadi, real life hijacker of TWA 847)
- Sandy McPeak — John Testrake (Captain)
- Ray Wise — Phil Maresca (First Officer)
- Leslie Easterbrook — Audrey (Flight Attendant)
- Laurie Walters — Jane (Flight Attendant)
- Joseph Nasser — Saiid (Hijacker)
- Steven Eckholdt — Robert Stethem (U.S. Navy Diver)
- Barry Jenner - Ben Christian Zimmerman
Nominations
In 1988, at the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards, the film received five Emmy nominations: for Outstanding Television Movie;[6] Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special;[7] Outstanding Makeup for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-Prosthetic); Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Limited Series or Movie; and David Yewdall[8] for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special.[9]
References
- López, Daniel (1 January 1993). "Films by genre: 775 categories, styles, trends, and movements defined, with a filmography for each". McFarland & Co. – via Google Books.
- Kamalipour, Yahya R. (1 January 1997). "The U.S. Media and the Middle East: Image and Perception". Greenwood Publishing Group – via Google Books.
- "The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- Pearl, Jonathan; Pearl, Judith (1 January 1999). "The Chosen Image: Television's Portrayal of Jewish Themes and Characters". McFarland – via Google Books.
- Cabot, Meg (4 September 2008). "The Princess Diaries: Give Me Five". Pan Macmillan – via Google Books.
- Desk, TV News. "CBS's 48 HOURS Presents 'The Spymasters - CIA in the Crosshairs' Tonight". BroadwayWorld.com.
- Roberts, Jerry (5 June 2009). "Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors". Scarecrow Press – via Google Books.
- Pedersen, Erik; Pedersen, Erik (6 July 2017). "David Yewdall Dies: 'The Fifth Element' & 'The Thing' Sound Editor Was 66".
- "Nominees/Winners". Television Academy.