The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)

89% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(8,750 ratings)

Based on Elleston Trevor's novel, The Flight of the Phoenix opens with a well-staged plane crash in the middle of the Sahara desert. The pilot (James Stewart) and the navigator (Richard Attenborough) do their best to maintain order among the survivors, a group of oil men not well-suited for survival… More Based on Elleston Trevor's novel, The Flight of the Phoenix opens with a well-staged plane crash in the middle of the Sahara desert. The pilot (James Stewart) and the navigator (Richard Attenborough) do their best to maintain order among the survivors, a group of oil men not well-suited for survival in the desert wastes. Some of those who appear to be the most resourceful reveal themselves to be inept or cowardly, while other less prepossessing types -- notably bespectacled Standish (Dan Duryea) -- demonstrate surprising inner reserves of strength. The ultimate fate of the survivors rests in the hands of Heinrich Dorfmann (Hardy Kruger), who uses the wreckage of the old plane to design a new one. The Flight of the Phoenix was dedicated to the memory of veteran stunt pilot Paul Mantz, who was killed while filming the take-off scene of the new plane. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Robert Aldrich
Written By: Lukas Heller, Trevor Dudley Smith
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 15, 1965 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 2003

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Directed by Aldrich, this disaster picture about a plane crash boasts a terrific ensemble cast, headed by Jimmy Stewart and inluding Peter Finch and Ian Bannen in Oscar nominated turn.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Plays against convention by raising scary questions about leadership.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A criminally underrated adventure classic.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Gets exciting mileage out of examining male codes of honor and behavior.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
This is a different kind of action movie, but it's all the better for it.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Relentless, gripping lost in desert vehicle.
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
The picture has been well restored and the sound is adequate.
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
A smart character study disguised as a thriller, and well worth viewing.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jens S

This adventure about a couple of men crash landing in the desert and trying to build a new plane from the remains while their egos are crushing is a true classic. The acting, even though over the top a few times, which may be a sign of the times, is outstanding and makes you feel as… More
This adventure about a couple of men crash landing in the desert and trying to build a new plane from the remains while their egos are crushing is a true classic. The acting, even though over the top a few times, which may be a sign of the times, is outstanding and makes you feel as if you've known those characters for years. Their confrontations are a pleasure to watch, even while you cheer for them to get along and make it out of there together. A couple of smart twists, the great realistic atmosphere of the burning sun and the lack of water and the awesome finale make this one of the best films of the genre. One to be viewed over and over again.
jay n

A trifle long but loaded with good performances and an interesting story. Greatly superior to terrible recent remake.
xGary X

A brilliant cast are stranded in the desert and have to stop pulling in different directions to work for a common cause: escape. Very talky and featuring some dubious analogies, but the great dialogue and performances make for a gripping tale.
Dimitris S

Buddy movies are repulsive.Skinless the least.And how has Aldrich restored my faith on those action boiled themes?It was easy after 30 minutes of his reviving Phoenix.The malevolent desert,the terrific cast,the insignificance of life lest that darned plane sets off.