The Arrow (1997) (TV)

Director:

Don McBrearty

Writer:

Keith Ross Leckie (writer)

Release Date:

12 January 1997 (Canada)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

The right stuff. The wrong time.

Plot:

The true story of how Canada almost built one of the world's most advanced fighter planes, back in the 1950s.

Plot Keywords:

Airplane | American Canadian Relations | Prime Minister Of Canada | Canada | Jet Plane

Awards:

9 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Dan Aykroyd	...	Crawford Gordon
Sara Botsford	...	Kate O'Hara
Ron White	...	Jack Woodman
Aidan Devine	...	Jim Chamberlin
Nigel Bennett	...	James (Jim) Floyd
Jonathon Whittaker	...	Fred Smye (as Jonathan Whittaker)
Ian D. Clark	...	Edward Critchley
David Brown	...	Joe Paloffski (as Dave Brown)
Catherine Fitch	...	Ruby Paloffski
Robin Gammell	...	C.D. Howe
Robert Haley	...	John George Diefenbaker
Michael Moriarty	...	President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Michael Ironside	...	CIA Director
Christopher Plummer	...	George Hees
Mauralea Austin	...	June Callwood

Also Known As:

Projet arrow (Canada: French title)

Runtime:

180 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

French | English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Filming Locations:

Gimli, Manitoba, Canada

Company:

Film Works, The

Trivia:

During The Arrow's first airing it gathered the second largest viewing audience in Canadian television's history - the first being Donovan Bailey's 100 meter run.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the movie the engines were silent when the sound barrier was broken. When one breaks the sound barrier, the engines do not all of a sudden become quiet. The sound can be heard through the aircraft itself.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Greatest Canadian" (2004) (mini)

Incredible drama

Few movies are made of the aviation industry. Of course, the most popular, Top Gun was a fictional movie about the glory of flying. This movie, based on a true story, was amazing. First viewed it on CBC in December of 1997. I bought the movie direct from CBC I was so impressed. Dan Akroyd plays an executive with the "right stuff" to make Canada's Avro corporation a success. Character development was fabulous as you see how his professional and personal life affect each other. A few fictitious characters are introduced to help add depth. For example, one of the lead engineers is a female developed in this movie to represent all females who contributed to the Arrow's success. It is a true representation of the actual events. Political influence from the government in Canada's business sector. Governmental influence of the United States and Europe on Canada. The fight for political power within Canada. And the struggle for air superiority in the 1950's. It also is a very real portrayal of the challenges of producing an aircraft. The engineering team includes all facets of design. The unrealistic expectations and design specifications. But most importantly the dedication of the employees to make Canada a great country and respected in the political and economical arenas. This movie is a long, detailed drama that starts slow and keeps rolling down hill. I recommend that those with any interest in the aforementioned items, it is worth the time for your viewing pleasure and historical knowledge.