This is a movie that was made when I was a very small child. I saw it as an older child and teenager on television ( back when VHS and movies at home were in the distant future ). I never forgot the movie. It's about a introverted crusader, an aeronautical engineer, who believes he knows why the new airliner, the Reindeer, is crashing with no apparent cause. He has to battle the entrenched establishment who view his ideas as the rantings of a slightly mad scientist. The acting, with Jimmy Stewart, is among the best. The movie is dated and trite in places. In others it gives an insight into what the world was like just after WW2. It's a shame that there were no men of this stature around in 1986 when NASA launched a doomed space shuttle, in violation of it's own rules, with ice on the launch tower. So this is a story about the courage of one person who stood alone to make a difference. Not to give the story away, but, as you might expect, the engineer was vindicated in the end. Also, the movie offers a sweet and quaint love story back in a time when relations between men and women were not marked by such displays of public lewdness and wanton carnality as is the rule today when people "hook up". It was such a better time and for those of you too young to remember the stature of the WW2 generation this movie provides a bit of insight into what these people wanted for dramatic entertainment. I finally bought this VHS after years of being on wait lists for a DVD version. As far as I know the only copies available are used VHS and, like almost always, what I wanted was there on ebay. When the DVD comes out I'll buy it but the VHS is just fine for now. Watch the movie yourself and see one man who made a diference in this fictional story.Read full review
One of the best films ever made. James Stewart plays a scientist aboard an airplane who realizes, based on tests he is performing back at the airplane factory, that the tail is in imminent danger of falling off due to metal fatigue. The obvious question --- why doesn't the pilot believe Stewart, given his credentials?---is realistically answered. The film has already established Stewart as eccentric and, furthermore, he is employed by the aircraft manufacturer, not the airline, so the pilot can't simply land the plane because Stewart says so. Later, Stewart takes action to save the passengers, but what he does is criminal and seems insane. Now he's in hot water with his employer, who's in hot water with the airline and everyone is in legal trouble. Two very different women fall in love with Stewart and believe his calculations are correct --- and this romantic triangle is resolved without any sex scenes, violence, or the absent-minded Stewart even realizing he has two female admirers. Few actors today could pull this off, and few films can generate this much suspense and still tug at our heartstrings. Five stars!Read full review
Good storyline. It was nice to see someone actually stand up for what they believed in when everyone around him was so certain that he was wrong. It was fun to watch the very elememtary special effects compared to today's pictures. The black and white was a refreshing change, and the actors actually acted. Unlike today when so much is dependant on electronic wizardry and computer generated effects. I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and could have been expanded a bit but overall it was quite enjoyable
I spent most of my working life in aircraft maintenance, so this movie was of special interest to me. Certification of an airliner type aircraft involves serious testing procedures for structures and systems to determine life limits, so it was entertaining to watch Jimmy Stewart develop his system and work to find the service life of the Reindeer tail while everyone around him did not feel there was any problem. For me, Jimmy overplayed it in some parts, but it was an enjoyable movie.
A rare film of Jimmy Stewart's which show his true talent of acting,I belive it to be based on the story of the DeHaviland Comet which experianced several crashes after the aircraft was introduced to the airlines and they struggled to find out the cause. If your a true Jimmy Stewart fan this film is a must see,I had seen this movie before and have seen it come up for sale on Ebay but always went in the 35.00 range for a VHS tape,had never seen it offered on DVD and have been told it has never been released on DVD. I was thrilled to get it and watch it often,Marlene Dietrich is outstanding in this movie and I was lucky to get such a great copy from a honest Ebay member
Although not as well-known as many of Jimmy Stewart's movies, "No Highway in the Sky" is among his best. Like "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", Stewart plays a guy who stands alone against the establishment. It's hard to imagine anyone playing the role of a naive American scientist working in England as well as Stewart. Throw into the mix a bright daughter, admiring stewardess, attentive actress and supportive boss and it provides for an entertaining and engaging movie. The movie ended well, but abruptly. Enjoy.
I got the VHS too and enjoyed especially for the fact that, as an aerospace engineer, the story was right on. Marlene was the best I've ever seen her and Jimmy was beyond belief as a B-17 pilot and versatile actor. The testing was true and scientists are our guardian angels. His Harvey-like performance was natural. Like Flight of the Phoenix and The Spirit of St. Louis, he was not just an actor, but real to the story. I sent one to my son, an aero engineer at THE major airframe mfg. It fills my Stewart gallery of fliks.
Jimmie stewart is an engineer who determines that the newly designed "reindeer" aircraft, metal fatigue issues which surface after so many hours in flight...Now he's aboard an aircraft which is approaching the critical flight time...exciting and fun. Brings to mind the comet. .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Read full review
This is certainly a classic however the drama seems to drag on a little too long in certain places. The women practically throwing themselves at a somewhat dysfunctional man seems a little far fetched in today's society... Or does it? It has a certain quaintness that is strangely refreshing.
I haven't watched it yet, but the film looks to be in fine shape; new, in fact. Would use vendor again.
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