"Flight of the Phoenix": just a movie?
 

We just saw the new version tonight, and my impression from watching the original is that it is mostly a true story. During the original production, a fine test pilot was killed, either Frank Tallman or Paul Mantz.

Does anyone know if the basic story happened?

Ignition Override,

It was Paul Mantz who died during the making of 'Flight of the Phoenix'.

Spookily enough, this film was shown again on British television only the other day, over the New Year holiday and we were talking about the exploits of Frank Tallman & Paul Mantz, who together formed Tallmantz Aviation.

I don't know if the flim was based on fact, but there are many stories of 'bitza' aircraft being made during WW2. One of our best loved comics, the late Jimmy Edwards was a pilot and used to recount the story fo how he flew out of some remote Far Eastern area in a 'DC 2 1/2', which was a DC3 with one wing from a DC2...

Cheers,
The Odd One

The movie was made after a fictional book by Elleston Trevor, aka Adam Hall (a spy novel writer).

I watched the original on UK TV the other day. I've seen it before at least once, but it's so good it deserved a re-watch.

How does the new film compare with the original?

SSD

This may refresh a few memories

http://stripe.colorado.edu/~steinerd/Phoenix.html

New version , what new version .....Is there a re make then?

Yup, starring Dennis Quaid. Even Hugh Laurie is in it.

See Here