Customer Reviews

Skyjacked

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The word "hijack" hadn't been in the American lexion too long in 1972 when this Charleton Heston suspense drama was released. As a commercial pilot, Heston and his 747 are commandeered by a dishonorably discharged and psychotic military veteran (James Brolin in a convincing dastardly turn). Dissolusioned with his American service and seeing himself as a failure in his parents' view, Brolin's character intends to take the jetliner and some of its star-studded passengers to Russia where, in his schizophrenic frame of mind, he will get there the just he thinks he is due. "Skyjacked" distinguishes itself from the onslaught of disaster films that accentuated the '70s in that it is neither a disaster flick nor reliant on special effects. Heston is, as expected, terrific as the captain who doesn't lose sight of his primary function: to keep his passengers alive. Among them are football player-turned actor Rosey Grier; character actresses Yvette Mimeux (the lead flight attendant and, in a soap opera subplot, the "other woman" in Heston's life), a very pregnant Mariette Harley, and Leslie Uggams as another flight attendant; the late Walter Pidgeon as a U.S. senator; and Susan Dey ("The Partridge Family," "LA Law") and Nicholas Hammond ("The Sound of Music" and TV's "Spiderman" in the late '70s) as first-time acquaintances in youthful love. As the off-center hijacker, Brolin gives a bravo performance that makes his fate at film's end very, very satisfying. In sum, "Skyjacked" is worth its salt, and its suspense makes it a worthy flight.

This is one of my most favorite Charleton Heston films. The suspense and drame, tied in with the few action scenes that are in the film really make this a must-see for any Heston fan. Heston is perfectly cast as the pilot, who is ready to go down fighting for his passengers and aircraft. James Brolin, young, vibrant, and extremely unpredicable and intense as the flipped out Army Vet is absolutely convincing as the terribly misunderstood villian. Check out the scene where Brolin uses his Green Beret karate tricks to take on Rosie Greer and some of the other "Hero" passengers. It is one of the best moments in the film, when Brolin pulls out a grenade and yells out, " Alright you hero's, come and get it!" But of course in the end, it comes down to only two who must square off face to face in this wonderful suspence drame. Supporting cast is great too. Pick up your favorite beverage and pop some corn, sit back and enjoy!

Even a trusted Hollywood icon like Charlton Heston isn't safe from a certain amount of terror. He plays the pilot at the controls of this 1972 suspense drama, one of the many disaster films (or "multi-jeopardy" films, as Heston liked to call them) made during the 1970s. James Brolin is excellent as the seemingly all-American army man who orders Heston's plane to be flown into Russia. John Guillermin's direction is pretty good, and there isn't all that much melodrama like we see in many other such movies. The film was actually banned in Australia because the government there was afraid it would encourage copycat incidents. Nothing of the sort happened, and the film became another huge hit for Heston in his post-epic days.

Well, what do you know? In 1972 Charlton Heston actually starred in a GOOD disaster movie, director John Guillerman's "Skyjacked." Actually, "Skyjacked" is more of a suspense thriller than a disaster movie, with Heston giving a stellar performance as a dedicated pilot who is forced to lock wits with an insane, self-destructive Vietnam veteran-turned-hijacker (James Brolin) who wants to defect to the Soviet Union. Thus, a domestic flight turns into a marathon trip to Moscow by way of Anchorage, with Heston's unflappable pilot using everything he has to keep his adversary calm long enough to save the lives of his passengers and crew.

Actually, in order to enjoy "Skyjacked," one must remember it was made before the advent of metal detectors and other security devices, although the events of 9/11 certainly show how such a hijacking could take place even nowadays. Adapted from a novel called "Hijacked" by Donald Harper, the film is expertly directed by Guillerman, who went on to cohelm "The Towering Inferno" and the 1976 flop remake of "King Kong." He's in top form here, however, creating an admirable amount of suspense and guiding a good cast into vivid performances that transcend their stereotypical characters. And for once the closed confines of a 727 are used to good effect, creating a sense of claustrophobia that rivals the final 30 minutes of the original "Airport" in generating suspense and a sense of dread. And Brolin's live-wire character is an asset, since even though the film follows a fairly predictable path the viewer is never quite sure just how far he will go.

Guillerman's direction only falters during some badly-staged flashback sequences, in which head stewardess Yvette Mimieux remembers her courtship with ex-beau Heston. These sequences actually consist of one of the biggest love story cliches of all time, namely Heston pushing a laughing Mimieux on a swing, which may provoke laughter instead of the romantic longing it is meant to convey. But this is a small part of the film and a relatively minor flaw in an otherwise superior thriller.

The performances are excellent, especially Heston, who displays all the charisma and strength missing from his subsequent, rather embarassing genre performances. He is matched by Brolin, who is so intense and high-strung he is almost unrecognizable. It may be his finest screen hour. Mimieux is strong as the tough stewardess, and Susan Dey (as a hippy), football star Roosevelt "Rosie" Grier (as a musician) and Walter Pidgeon (as a Senator) also register well. But they are all sideline characters. It is the mental duel between Heston and Brolin that is the entire show here, and they are both stellar, especially in the film's final segment, where they are left alone to face each other and the hostile Soviet army that has surrounded the plane upon its arrival in Moscow.

"Skyjacked" is a stellar film for genre addicts, although best for those who prefer suspense over hard action and thrills. Unfortunately, it is unavailable on DVD and the VHS version is in pan-and-scan, which is a detriment considering the film was shot in panavision 2:35:1 and loses much in its chopped-up television prints. My advice is to hold out for a widescreen DVD. Otherwise, buyer beware. **** (out of *****) for the film only, not the VHS which rates * (out of *****)

A note: "Skyjacked" was idiotically renamed "Sky Terror" for its television showings and may still be known as such in some cable listings. But they are the same movie.

This AIRPORT knock-off is very entertaining and much more believable than the TURBULANCE or FOX channel's air disaster movies of today.

My childhood recollection of "Skyjacked" is that it was an awesome thriller.
My adult re-visit is that it BLOWS. Hilariously so.
Seriously, the plot is SO hackneyed that the romantic dream sequence...or should I say, the FIRST romantic dream sequence of, yes, two...arrives with a fade-in to a soft-focus dreamy meadow...which they thought was SO cool they do it again later, and use it as a plot twist.
Oh dear God...the overacting is the only thing I'd describe as 'awesome' now, and it truly is.
James Brolin was clearly channelling his inner Norman Bates; I'm a sucker for any Stentorian Heston roles (are there any other?) so that, for me, is a plus.
It's not really a "thriller" anymore, but it's a fun trip back in time.
But you'll wince a few times before the credits roll...

This is one heck of a great film and terriffic cast but I'll buy it when it's made available on DVD in widescreen.

There are no splashy special effects at work in 1972's "Skyjacked" (a.k.a.: "Sky Terror"), just a lot of tension on board a Boeing 707 jetliner that has been "skyjacked" to Russia. James Brolin is quite convincing as the bad guy who diverts the plane to Moscow. And Charlton Heston is, as always, first-rate as the aircraft's Captain (similar to roles he would play in later years in "Airport 1975" and "A Thousand Heroes"). I ask you: Who wouldn't want Charlton Heston as their airline Captain?! A no-brainer!

The action is, at times, a bit on the slow side. But, overall, it delivers the goods. Best scene (IMO): Heston has to make a "zero-zero" landing after being diverted to Anchorage International Airport (before the plane continues on to Moscow). The plane is being "talked in" by air-traffic controller Claude Akins. The tension is temporarily relieved as Heston puts the plane down perfectly in the blinding rain. This scene follows another good one, where Heston must maneuver his Boeing 707 violently, in order to avoid a small aircraft in the same airspace. This is a good picture for an airplane lover.

This was excellent thriller as who seek recognized for his service to armed forces but due drove his paranoia led to hijack Global Airways flight 502 divert to Soviet Union seek a red star medal.

Note: Boeing 707 C stand for convertible is no longer in production according to Wikipedia.

I received my DVD fairly quick, but when I opened the box, the DVD was loose inside. The plastic round spindle that holds the DVD in place was broken. Now, the DVD won't stay in place and continues to be loose inside the box. Not happy about that at all!! I believe I will order directly from amazon instead of a second tier rate company such as this one.