The taking of flight 847 (part 1)

Posted by Ric on 04.03.05

I rarely watch television, but when I saw that a film called 'The taking of flight 847' was being broadcast at 12.45am - 02.20am on a Friday night, I knew it would represent quality viewing.

As all good made-for-TV melodramas, the film begins with text upon a sombre black screen. Somewhat anti-climactically, it then proceeds to footage of gunmen and smouldering rubble. The camera then pulls back from a television as a voiceover mentions "Israel withdrawing its forces" and "Shiite suicide bombers". It was a cunning segment indicating disturbances elsewhere in the world, possibly linked to the aeroplane of the film title.

The television is in the room of a couple packing a suitcase. They are both completing getting dressed - one as a schoolgirl and the other as a cricket player. One can only suspect this is part of some bizare sex play. Confirming both my suspicions and that the art of subtlety in film making is alive and well, the man then tells the woman, "I bet your mom would agree with me - the Middle East is no place to be flying - just look at the TV!"

To add emotional depth, a fat boy with a speech defect enters the room clutching a cat. That he is fat appears integral to the plot: the husband, who is to remain at home with the boy, is told not to take him to McDonald's every night. The bizare sexual element is continued when the woman then tells her husband that her mother is available to perform all her roles during her own absence.

The woman opens a draw to get her passport. She is disturbed by a large rubber spider upon it, and throws them both. This demonstrates the woman's emotional instability. If she should prove less vunerable than this implies later in the film, this will provide contrast and character progression. Strangely, as the woman is clearly American, her passport is printed 'BUNDESREPUBLIC DEUTSCHLAND REISEPASS'.

Just like on M*A*S*H!

Most film makers would shy away from having a sudden resurgence of the film's credits 20 minutes into the film. Not so the makers of 'The taking of flight 847'; they are unconcerned that such an obvious reminder that it is in fact acted would detract from any realism sought to be conveyed. I too would be sufficiently proud of the involvement of such big name actors.

Do not be distracted by the inclusion at this point of the only black man in the entire film. The man filling the right hand side of the screen is also not white, plus he has a greasy mullet that only adds to his suspicious demeanor.

OH MY GOD! I take it all back: Leslie Easterbrook is the slightly too old one with the big tits from the Police Academy films!

To be continued...