Airport 1975 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A stewardess, with zero flying experience, must land a jumbo jet after a mid-air collision, proving that on-the-job training really does work.

🍿 Airport 1975: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Flight 409 Takes Off

Columbia Airlines Flight 409 departs from Washington D.C. bound for Los Angeles. Among the passengers are a young girl needing a kidney transplant, a famous actress (Gloria Swanson playing herself), and two nuns. Meanwhile, a businessman in a small plane is eager to reach a meeting in Boise.

Mid-Air Collision

Due to weather, both Flight 409 and the small plane are diverted to Salt Lake City. The businessman suffers a heart attack, causing his plane to collide with the 747’s cockpit. The co-pilot and flight engineer are killed, and the captain is blinded. The 747 is left in the control of a stewardess, Nancy Pryor.

Desperate Measures

With the plane on autopilot and heading towards the mountains, ground control tries to guide Nancy. Joe Patroni, Columbia’s VP, enlists Captain Al Murdoch, Nancy’s boyfriend, to help. A daring attempt is made to lower a pilot from a helicopter onto the 747, but it fails tragically.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nancy Pryor (Karen Black): The head flight attendant who must take over the controls of a 747 after a mid-air collision incapacitates the flight crew.
• Alan Murdock (Charlton Heston): An experienced pilot and Nancy’s former lover who attempts a daring mid-air rescue to land the stricken plane.
• Joe Patroni (George Kennedy): The Vice President of Operations for Columbia Airlines who supports the rescue efforts, while also concerned for his family on board.
• Captain Stacy (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): The blinded captain of Flight 409 who provides cryptic clues to Nancy about flying the plane.
• Scott Freeman (Dana Andrews): The pilot of the small plane who has a heart attack and inadvertently causes the catastrophic collision.
• Janice Abbott (Linda Blair): A young, ailing kidney patient on board the flight, desperately needing a life-saving transplant.
• Sister Ruth (Helen Reddy): A nun on the flight who attempts to comfort Janice by singing and playing guitar.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Oringer: “Is there much damage?” – Asked after the collision, trying to understand the extent of the disaster.
• Joe Patroni: “No, not much, there’s just a hole where the pilots usually sit.” – Patroni’s darkly humorous response to Oringer’s question about the damage to the plane.
• Sister Ruth: “You’re my best friend, and I’ll always be true, just close your eyes, and I’ll sing to you…” – Sister Ruth sings a song to ailing Linda Blair, in the role of a young girl who is desperately in need of a kidney transplant.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $47,354,141
• Worldwide Gross: $47,354,141

💥 Airport 1975 Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so *Airport 1975* is totally ridiculous, but I can’t help but love it! The scene where Helen Reddy starts singing to Linda Blair is comedy gold. I remember watching this as a kid and being on the edge of my seat, even though I knew everything would be okay. The effects are laughably bad now, but that just adds to the charm. It’s pure, cheesy, 70s disaster movie fun!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1970s disaster movies”
  • “Viewers interested in aviation-themed films”
  • “Those looking for a campy, so-bad-it’s-good experience”
  • “People interested in seeing a large ensemble cast of classic actors”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Perilous situations”
  • “Plane crash”
  • “Brief mild language”

Professional Reviews

• MovieFanatic.com: “While *Airport 1975* provides some suspense, the film suffers from cheesy dialogue and unbelievable scenarios. The all-star cast tries its best, but even Charlton Heston can’t save this one from being a bumpy ride.
• FilmBuffOnline.com: “More enjoyable than the original, *Airport 1975* embraces its disaster movie status with gusto. Though the plot is absurd and the special effects are dated, the film provides a fun, if somewhat cheesy, viewing experience.
• CinemaScope Magazine: “Though it’s easy to dismiss *Airport 1975* as a relic of the ’70s disaster craze, there’s a certain charm to its earnestness. The film’s preposterous plot is offset by solid performances from Karen Black and George Kennedy, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.

Audience Reactions

Linda Blair as the cheerful sick girl was an iconic performance.: Many viewers found the movie entertaining despite its flaws, praising its campy charm.

The aerial photography was impressive for its time.: Some viewers appreciated the technical aspects of the film, particularly the aerial shots.

Overall Consensus: A campy and unintentionally hilarious disaster film, *Airport 1975* is cherished for its nostalgia and so-bad-it’s-good qualities.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Charlton Heston, George Kennedy, cinematographer Philip H. Lathrop, and producer Jennings Lang juggled their schedules between this film and ‘Earthquake’ (1974), as shooting overlapped. ‘Airport 1975’ was released first.”
• “The producers approached Greta Garbo to play Gloria Swanson’s role.”

🖥️ How to Watch Airport 1975?

Currently, ‘Airport 1975’ is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for television airings. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Airport 1975, you might like these similar films:

• Airport (1970): The original film that started the ‘Airport’ disaster series, with a similar ensemble cast and airport setting.
• Zero Hour! (1957): Shares the plot of an unqualified person landing an airliner.
• Airplane! (1980): A comedy that parodies ‘Airport 1975,’ exaggerating the dramatic situations for comedic effect.

🛒 Airport 1975 Related Products

• Airplane! (Blu-ray): The ultimate parody of *Airport 1975*, featuring iconic comedic performances and quotable lines. A must-have for fans of satire and classic comedy.
• Airport: The Complete Series [DVD]: Includes all four *Airport* films: *Airport*, *Airport 1975*, *Airport ’77*, and *The Concorde… Airport ’79*. A complete collection for disaster movie buffs.
• Boeing 747 Model Airplane – 1:200 Scale: A detailed, high-quality model of a Boeing 747, perfect for aviation enthusiasts and collectors. Features accurate markings and a display stand.
• Disaster Movie T-Shirt – ‘Help Us, Please Help Us!’: A retro-style t-shirt featuring the memorable tagline from *Airport 1975*. Made from comfortable, high-quality fabric.

🎧 Soundtrack

Airport 1975 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Best Friend” – performed by Helen Reddy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

IF YOU GREW UP IN THE 1970s: DISASTER MOVIES!

Ever wondered what other disaster movies were popular when ‘Airport 1975’ came out? This video takes you on a nostalgic trip through the 70s, highlighting other blockbusters of the genre. I never knew how many there were!

Where Are They Now? The Fate of the “Airport” and “Airplane!” Movie Planes

Did you ever wonder what happened to the planes used in ‘Airport’ and ‘Airplane!’ movies after filming wrapped? This video tracks down their history and current status, which is pretty fascinating. You won’t believe what some of them are doing now!

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