FLIGHT TO HOLOCAUST

US, 1977, 100 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Wayne, James Mitchum, Desi Arnaz Jr., Sid Caesar, Rory Calhoun, Paul Williams, Lloyd Nolan.
Directed by Bernard L. Kowalski.

Flight to Holocaust is a routine disaster telemovie. It is very much derivative of Airport II and The Towering Inferno. It is enjoyable in its own way - with the expected brief characterisations of individuals in terror, trying to handle crisis, afraid, needing to be rescued. The film also focuses on the members of the crack squad in charge of the rescue - who are the same as in any other television series.

The squad, however, is second generation Hollywood. John Wayne's son, Robert Mitchum's son, Desi Arnaz's and Lucille Ball's son. Many of the victims, of course, are of the older generation. The original element in the screenplay is a plane crashing into the side of a skyscraper -and the repercussions for rescue.

The film relies on atmosphere, special effects - and the audience identifying either with the rescuers or the rescued. Routine of its kind.

After the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, this story has become too real.