Watch Jetstorm

Jetstorm is a 1959 British film that follows the story of a lively group of passengers onboard a flight from London to New York. The film introduces the passengers as they board the aircraft, each with their own unique background and reason for travelling. Among them are a young married couple, a wealthy businessman, an alcoholic actress, an obnoxious journalist, and a nun.

The main focus of the story is the tension and turmoil created by the titular 'jetstorm', which is a severe and unexpected storm that the aircraft encounters mid-flight. The crew is forced to navigate through the storm, which puts their skills and experience to the test, while the passengers are left to deal with their own individual fears and anxieties.

The captain of the flight, played by Richard Attenborough, is a veteran pilot with decades of experience. He is calm and collected, and his stoic demeanor helps to reassure the passengers that they are in good hands. However, his own personal issues begin to surface as the flight progresses, and he struggles to maintain his composure in the face of the extreme weather conditions.

The co-pilot, played by Stanley Baker, is a young and ambitious pilot who is eager to prove himself. He clashes with the captain on several occasions, as he desires to take more control of the aircraft and demonstrate his own abilities. As the storm worsens, the two pilots are forced to work together to keep the plane aloft, and they develop a newfound respect for each other.

The other passengers are also given their own moments to shine. The young married couple faces a crisis in their relationship, as the stress of the flight causes them to reveal their secrets and doubts to each other. The businessman, played by Paul Eddington, suffers a heart attack mid-flight, which adds to the chaos and panic onboard. The journalist, played by David Kossoff, is revealed to be a fraud and a con-man, causing the other passengers to turn on him.

Hermione Baddeley plays the role of the nun, who provides a source of comfort and solace to the other passengers. Her calm and gentle nature helps to soothe their fears and anxieties, and she becomes a pillar of strength for the group. However, her own faith is tested when she must confront the possibility of her own mortality.

The film is remarkable for its realistic portrayal of a mid-air crisis, and the tension is palpable throughout. The special effects used to create the storm are impressive for their time, and the aerial shots of the aircraft in distress are thrilling. The script is well-written, and the dialogue between the characters is realistic and engaging. The performances from the ensemble cast are all superb, and the characters are well-developed and relatable.

Overall, Jetstorm is an engaging and thrilling drama that showcases the talent of the cast and crew involved. It offers a compelling look into the human experience of dealing with a crisis, and the emotions and struggles that come with it.

Jetstorm is a 1959 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.