Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 (1993) (TV)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Roger Young

Writers (WGA):

George Rubino (written by) and
Robert Benedetti (written by)

Release Date:

13 December 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Jay is ordered to fly Cessna flight 30771 from the States to Sydney, with stopovers at Honolulu, Pago Pago and Norfolk Island...

Plot Keywords:

New Zealand | Aviation | Airplane | Family Relationships | Christmas

Cast

Robert Loggia	...	Gordon Vette
Scott Bakula	...	Jay Parkins
Rebecca Rigg	...	Ellen
Alan Fletcher	...	Frank
Michael Bishop	...	First Officer Mann
Kit Taylor	...	Capt. Warren Banks
Suzie MacKenzie	...	Vanessa Cross (as Suzie Mackenzie)
Steven Tandy	...	Operations Officer Hudson
Robert Benedetti	...	Harry Hanson
Sarah Kemp	...	Hillary Vette
Ingrid McKillop	...	Teacher
Peter Kent	...	Enthusiastic Man
Sean Sturgess	...	Nervous Man
Eddy Sentosa	...	Doctor
Lafe Charlton	...	David

Runtime:

Sweden:95 min

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

Anasazi Productions

Trivia:

Near the end of the movie, where Jay finally lands his airplane and everyone at the airport is cheering, the camera focuses on two men, one a bit taller than the other, hugging and slapping each other in celebration of Jay's landing. These are the real Jay and Gordon Vette, as this movie is based on a true story.

Goofs:

Continuity: Air New Zealand plane is a 737 when it leaves Fiji, but a 767 thereafter.

Quotes:

Gordon Vette: 771, this is 308. What are your vital statistics?
Jay Parkins: I've gotten down to take a look at the ocean. Fuel gauge is low. Airspeed 110 knots. All I can see is... water and sky. I've been up there for 14 hours. Everything is starting to look the same.
Gordon Vette: Hang in there, 771. We're going to find you. Just call us on 121.5 every two minutes so we can determine whether we're within 200 miles of each other.
Jay Parkins: Will do, thanks. Listen, 308? You're not really out there for search and rescue, aren't you? I mean... no on-board radar or anything like that. How the hell do you plan to find me?
[...]

The movies is a combination of acting skills

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.