The true story of an Eastern Airlines L-1011 which crashed in the Everglades while making a long approach on Miami International Airport. It is surmised the pilot while distracted because of nose gear warning, inadvertently disengaged the auto pilot resulting in the plane crashing. Sightings of the dead crew were reported over the next several years by several dozen Eastern employees, who had known them. A true mystery of the supernatural. A film well worth watching.
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atinder19 October 2014I never heard of this movie until i saw 7500.
Someone I know told that movie was based of inspired by this movie.
There both really different movies but there have only have two things common, its set on Plane and with Supernatural things on a plane.
This is not a horror movie , it more of mystery /drama and really good one two,
This movie flowed really well, it wasn't really that scary at all but there were some creepy, ghost scenes.
The acting in this movie was really good for a TV movie
I going to give this movie 7 OUT OF 10 -
sgc-3908012 October 2019I remember being home sick from school one day, my Mum sat me in front of the TV with some soup and this movie came on as the Midday Matinee. Many years later I was watching Air Crash Investigation on TV and here was the story again. I had no idea it was based on witness accounts. A very good film and very worth the watch. 7/10 for me...
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thekingcrabjim10 November 2004I was on the employee bus to the terminal with Dee Dee Welch that night. She was the gate agent who was working the inbound Flight 401 that night. It was a hellish night for everyone concerned at Eastern and more for the survivors of the crash and the relatives and friends waiting for the flights arrival.
I left Eastern within a year after the crash. John Fuller tracked me down as most Eastern Airlines Employees would not talk to him. What I can tell you from a crew schedulers point of view is that I was having a hard time working around crews would over the next year walk of the aircraft each time they encounter the ghost of one of the crew members of Flight 401. My name is appears on pages 78 and 79 in the book "The Ghost of Flight 401." -
mark.waltz30 July 2022A very direct recreation and aftermath surrounding the crash of flight 401 as it was preparing to land in Miami in 1972. While this does show the captain (Ernest Borgnine) before the flight with his wife and during the flight dealing with the issue of the non-working light, ultimately leading to the crash that killed him and 100 others. His death led to supposed sightings of his spirit which is what this film mainly deals with, fortunately in a non-exploitive way.
Having seen the other TV movie based on this tragedy, "Crash", within a year prior to seeing this, I wasn't expecting much more but fortunately this gives a different perspective. This does not focus on star power but rather the human impact of the story, and Borgnine is the only familiar actor popular at the time in this. Kim Basinger, then a newcomer, plays one of the stewardesses who is affected by the sightings of his ghost.
The TV film "Crash" gave a detailed look at what happened right before the plane descended and it is an indeed a horrifying segment of that movie which is mainly soapy in nature. This movie skips that, and you only see the crash from the perspective of the men catching frogs in the Everglades who witness the crash and head out to help save survivors. However, this shows how the tragedy was handled at the Miami airport, with a very blunt announcement regarding the crash quite stunning. The film deals with the effects the crash had on some of the survivors and Borgnine's widow, so it has more of the human element rather than the disaster. Because of the lack of an all-star cast, the audience is able to see this from more personal level and that makes it somewhat better. -
AaronCapenBanner19 July 2014Based on the book by John G. Fuller. this TV movie portrays the aftermath of the crash of flight 401 into the Florida Everglades on a late December night in 1972, where reports that the ghost of the flight engineer(played by Ernest Borgnine) appeared to passengers and crew on other planes that had used salvaged parts from 401, and the skeptical airline's attempt to crush the rumors, which proves futile when credible witnesses(like other pilots and stewardesses) claimed to have seen the ghost as well...
Simplified and condensed version of the interesting book is a misfire, suffering from unimaginative direction and a sappy score. Costars Kim Basinger, and Russell Johnson as Captain Loft. Not yet on DVD, but can be found on YouTube. -
swa_fun31 July 2005I give "The Ghost Of Flight 401" (Based on the book by John Fuller) a 10-star rating based on hearing these stories first-hand. Having been a Flight Attendant with Eastern Air Lines for well over seven years (1980 to early 1988), I can state with confidence that this Emmy Nominated, Made-For-TV Movie (1978) gives an accurate portrayal of these fateful events -- not to mention those who experienced the situation first-hand.
The sets are excellent. I liked working on the L-1011 for the lower-galley, which is accurately portrayed (set-wise) in the film. The aircraft cabin is equally impressive. Everything for which an experienced crew member can find fault in the usual "airplane" movie is covered here with accuracy and attention to detail. Other sets include the homes of employees, not to mention the offices of our once-beloved Eastern Air Lines. Although not a carbon copy of our Corporate Offices, the sets provide a believable backdrop to both story line and characters alike.
As for Character Depth, the actors portray those involved with a genuine sense of suspense, worry and concern for what is happening to them. This is refreshing, seeing as another TV Movie based on these events proved to be nothing short of a prime time Soap Opera. In "The Ghost Of Flight 401," you feel what the characters feel. It is a realistic portrayal of the fear and fascination these people experienced in dealing with said events.
No spoilers here...you have to see this one for yourself. Very well done from the aspect of one who flew with and heard stories from those who experienced these events first-hand. Fantastic as the events may seem, it was real to the actual people involved. Well produced, the film takes you along for the ride. One thing is for sure: "The Ghost Of Flight 401" will definitely have you on the edge of your seat. Much like the book -- a real page-turner -- you can't help but wonder what will happen next.
Great entertainment all the way around the board. -
I remember seeing this movie as a teenager and I was riveted. It's based on a true story, and Ernest Borgnine plays Dom Cimoli, the flight engineer who, in the movie, went into the cargo hold to inspect the landing gear and put it down by hand if needed. The best part was the odd appearances of his ghost in other planes, which the other characters find out have parts salvaged from flight 401. Even his wife, we eventually learn, feels his presence in the bed beside her at night. It's as if he's making sure he keeps taking care of his family and continues his devotion to the airline he loved. As usual, a typically good Borgnine plays even a ghost and makes you like him.
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I have not seen this movie in ages but continually search for it's availability. After reading some previous comments I felt compelled to add my 2 cents. My dad was a captain with EAL (for 36 years) during this incident and also flew the 1011. I was in 8th grade at the time and was extremely fascinated with the whole experience. I still am and have the copy from EAL's Falcon issue containing the initial report. Our family was huddled around the t.v. when this movie aired. We also saw the "Crash of flight 401", which oddly enough I have been able to find a copy of on VHS. We always felt the "Ghost" was the real meat of the story and what took this beyond your average tragic crash. My dad had to admit that many of the claims and events were truthful, but we could never get him to admit that he believed the ghost aspect could be reality. He did however have to deal with the claims and fears of crew members/stewardesses. I recall many instances he sighted which showed an overall uneasiness (amongst passengers and crew members) for quite a time to come. I would really love to see this movie reprinted.
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pmakres110 May 2005This very intriguing story about Eastern Airlines flight 401 which crashed in the everglades, is a really good movie that deserves a look for any who have not seen it. I taped it many years ago and occasionally take another look at it, as I did last evening. Apparently this was a made for TV movie, and is not available on DVD. I wish it was! The movie really gives one pause to think about all the things we really don't realize or understand about life and death. It contains a good cast and is acted well. Among the familiar faces are Ernest Borgnine and Russell Johnson of Gilligan's Island fame. If anyone hears of it becoming available, please let me know.
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...and that's make a quality film just for the small screen with a good cast that people have in their fondest memories decades later. I watched the original broadcast of this film in early 1978 when I was still in college and it really moved me, this friendly ghost of the good natured middle-aged flight officer that got the family he thought he'd never have in mid-life only to have that life taken from him in a crash.
This movie was televised several years later in the late 80's and I watched it again and I was surprised at what I did not notice the first time around in 1978 that I did notice ten years later. So many of the people who initially see the ghost are what we now call flight attendants, but in 1978 they were called stewardesses, and they were all female. Initially the reports of Don Repo's ghost were discounted not only because it was bad for business but because it was the stewardesses - or "stews" as they call them in the film - that were seeing the ghost. There were many comments in the film that would be considered very sexist today about hysterical females, and nobody bats an eye at these statements. Only after some of the male members of the crew see the ghost does anyone start to take this phenomenon seriously. It's just funny how standards evolve over time - in this case attitudes towards women - and you don't really notice until you're plunged back into a time capsule and see how much things have changed.
I'd strongly recommend this one if it ever airs again. It's in the same boat as films like "J.T." (1969), "The Great Houdini" (1976), "Coffee Tea or Me"(1973), "The Ballad of Lizzy Borden" (1975), "The Neon Ceiling" (1970), and "Legend in Granite" (1973), also starring Ernest Borgnine. These are all made for TV films that were popular at the networks after studio films became too expensive to televise and before cable fractured TV audiences. They are as good as or better in quality than many feature films that are released today. Sure, some of them are quite dated in many ways, but that is part of the nostalgia for many of us who remember the original broadcast. -
AA55US28 December 2003A couple of F A C T S
This movie about EAL's flt 401 is NOT ONLY a movie,but in 95% of the movie,(some parts of movie were for drama only)it is based on the flt data & cockpit voice recorder,but IT IS 100% TRUE,about the crew member,(2nd officer) Some of the parts that were refurbished & reused on other company aircraft(and on a cple of other airlines where some the parts from 401 were put on,) TRAINED FLT CREWS saw this "ghost", but it was kept very hush,hush,if you mentioned it 99.99% of the time you lost your job.(would you want to be on a flt where a Capt or 1st officer said he had seen a ghost on board) and the "'ghost" was even caught on the CVR,(cockpit voice recorder) giving a warning to a flt crew about a on board fire befor it happened.The L10-was the "Queen of the skies",then but she did have some flaws, unforunately it took one "going in"(a crash) to discovery & correct these problems,I know about this "bird,(plane)& this airline for I & 25,000+ people once worked for this great airline,,, -
tim_speckmann-0595720 October 2021Love these Movies from the 70's and the 80's. You can feel the Love and Joy what they puttet into their Work. Nice Movie. Really nice to watch and worth to watch it.
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StuOz19 September 2016Based on a true story, about the ghost of an airplane disaster.
I just bumped into this movie on YouTube thinking I was getting one of those 1970s airplane disaster movies, I got a totally different sort of disaster movie: one said to be based on fact!
I have not done the required research on this story to state if I think the whole event is real or not. But, I must admit, it strikes me as a bit strange that I am finding out about this "famous story" now in 2016. I am a middle aged man who usually knows about these sort of strange events in the USA. Yes, I know the airline involved kept a lid on it, but still, why did it take nearly 40 years for me to find out about this "famous story"??
I am not sure why Ernest Borgnine was cast in this film? Maybe he looks like the the real guy this happened to? If so, that is a good reason for casting him in the role. The problem I find is that he is such a big Hollywood name, sometimes a comical name, and seeing him pop in and out of the movie like Barbera Eden in I Dream Of Jeannie takes from the dramatic impact we are meant to feel.
But all in all, The Ghost Of Flight 401 is great to see on YouTube...I hope they don't take it down. -
rockinronnie20 January 2022Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this is a movie that will make you think about the afterlife. While it is not of HD Picture Quality viewing due to the year of filming prior to Digital recording, it is well worth seeing. The cast is great and the story true. In fact, each year some of the remaining survivors of the crash return to the Florida Everglades to pay respect to those who did not survive.
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Cheryl-124 August 1999This movie was based on the true story of an airline pilot who was killed in a crash due to faulty parts in the plane. His ghost was reportedly seen by flight attendants and passengers on other flights after his death. It's a very creepy film, much in the style of "The Entity" and "Amityville Horror". If you like true ghost stories, you should like this made for television movie.
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In THE GHOST OF FLIGHT 401, airline pilot, Dom Cimoli (Ernest Borgnine), boards a jet believing that it will be just another routine flight. Along with his crew, including Russell Johnson, Howard Hesseman, and ultra-perky flight attendant, Kim Bassinger, they take off with only a few passengers.
Disaster strikes.
Some time later, bizarre circumstances unfold, and ghostly visitations commence.
While not what one might call terrifying, it is unsettling, and Borgnine is great in his ill-fated role. Another solid made-for-TV movie of its era... -
rmax3048233 August 2014These disaster movies almost always start the same way. People involved in the coming catastrophe are just getting out of bed and ready for the day. In this case it's the airline pilot, bulky Ernest Borgnine (R.I.P.) and his pretty wife, Carol Rossen, tumbling around in bed with their children. Usually, the characters are cheerful and in love, as this unlikely couple are. Except that Rossen has a strange feeling -- "Don't go out today." That's typical too, but usually occurs later than the first two minutes. However, this made-for-TV production is anxious to get to the calamity and its hallucinatory aftermath, so we have to rush a little bit through Borgnine's shower and shave.
Nice to see Kim Basinger in an early role. She was my supporting player in the poetic masterpiece, "No Mercy." Flight 401 leaves New York for Miami but in approaching the airport they notice a light on the panel indicating that the nose wheel is not down. A frequent cause is that the light bulb or its contact is defective, more of an irritation than a cause for alarm.
The captain puts the plane on autopilot and bends over to help the engineer extract the noisome bulb. He sends co-pilot Borgnine down into the electronic bay to try to visualize the nose wheel. Meanwhile the airplane is descending from its assigned 2,000 feet over the Everglades, ineluctably, until it flies at cruising speed directly into the swamp and crashes.
The film doesn't make clear how the accident happened, being more interested, I suppose, in the human drama. What happened is that the autopilot, once set, keeps the airplane at a steady altitude and direction. But the controls are sensitive to touch, in case the pilot has to yank them quickly, and the autopilot is instantly and automatically disengaged. Someone fiddling with the light or on his way to the electronic bay brushed against the controls and disengaged the autopilot, so the airplane began a slow descent. As the altitude decreased to dangerous levels, a signal -- chimes -- was sounded but no one heard it because they were busy elsewhere. It was a juxtaposition of unfortunate events.
The dialog is predictable. Borgnine is lying in a hospital bed, dying, his wife and a priest at his side, and he gasps out his last words: "I love you." The writer responsible for this garbage is Robert M. Young. But every once in a while, when no one is looking, he unbuttons and slips in a droll line or two. "Money can't buy everything -- it can't buy poverty." And, "So now you're the perfect company man?" "Well, nobody is perfect." And, "Jordy, that's like saying, 'Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?'"
The irregular appearance of Borgnine's ghost on later flights turns frightening. At first he's glimpsed sitting silently in a passenger seat, then he begins to issue warnings and proclamations. Finally, it becomes irritating enough that a séance of the principal participants lays the ghost.
Was the apparition "real"? The first college classroom I ever entered was at San Mateo Community College at Coyote Point, just south of San Francisco International. The class was in introductory psychology and the instructor, Dorothy Miller, gave us a brief questionnaire. One of the questions was, "Do you believe in ghosts?" My answer was, "No." It was the wrong answer. The correct answer was, "Undecided." I learned a lot from that one question: namely, to keep an open mind. That said, it has to be added that sometimes the imagination hijacks our perception. My forthcoming volume -- "Beware The Naked Boogeyman" -- explains it all.