10 films about planes, aviation and pilots that will take your breath away

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Spectacular action films, comedies, war dramas and stories of real people.

10. Pearl Harbor

• USA, 2001.
• Military, drama, thriller.
• Duration: 183 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.

During World War II, American pilot Rafe is declared dead. And it so happens that the pilot's girlfriend starts dating his best friend Danny. But Rafe survived and now wants to sort out the relationship with the one whom he considered almost a brother. Meanwhile, Japanese aircraft are attacking Pearl Harbor.

The authors of the film took the real biographies of the two pilots as a basis, but changed them greatly, for which one of the prototypes scolded the picture. But on the other hand, director Michael Bay has traditionally shown excellent flying and battles for himself.

9. Beauty of Memphis

• UK, Japan, USA, 1990.
• Military, drama, thriller.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

The crew of the Memphis Beauty bomber flew 24 successful sorties. The last one remained, after which the team could retire. Meanwhile, an agitator arrives at the airbase, who wants to persuade the team to participate in the distribution of advertising for war loans. But to start, Beauty of Memphis needs to return from the last flight.

The film is based on the documentary “Beauty of Memphis: The Story of a Flying Fortress”. The creators of the adaptation thickened the colors by talking about the damage that the plane received. At the same time, there are really frightening inserts in the film: under the documentary video sequence with the attacks of German planes, the relatives of the killed pilots read the letters they wrote in response to the funeral.

8. Best Shooter

• USA, 1986.
• Drama, action.
• Duration: 110 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

Gorgeous pilot Pete Mitchell, nicknamed Maverick, falls in love with school instructor Charlotte. She refuses to reciprocate. Maverick undergoes military service and even takes part in a real battle, after which he returns to woo the girl.

Top Gun is one of the first films to feature Tom Cruise in the lead role. It was after him that the actor began to turn into an action and action star. And 30 years later, Cruise decided to return to the image of Pete Mitchell in the movie "Top Gun: Maverick", which is scheduled for release in 2021. And for the sequel, the actors really learned to fly fighters.

7. Air adventure

• Great Britain, 1965.
• Comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 138 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

In 1910, Lord Ronsley organized an air race with a huge prize of 10 thousand pounds. Masters from Great Britain, France, USA, Germany, Italy and Japan decide to compete for money. They are trying with all their might to get ahead of their rivals, sometimes acting not too honestly, because national strife is added to the competitive spirit.

The director of the film, Ken Annakin, was a big fan of aviation since childhood. He served in the Air Force and filmed flight documentaries. Therefore, for the filming of the film, 20 full-size aircraft models were built, many of which could actually fly.

6. Miracle on the Hudson

• USA, 2016.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

Pilot Chesley Sullenberger in a dangerous situation performs a real miracle - landing a damaged plane on the Hudson River. The public considers him a hero, but the national security council questions the pilot's actions: at the time of landing, the ship had all the technical capabilities to land at the nearest airport. The reputation and further career of the hero are in jeopardy.

The great Clint Eastwood made a film with Tom Hank based on real events. The authors came out with a difficult drama about a man who is in a difficult situation and struggling with the meanness of those around him.

5. Aviator

• Germany, USA, 2004.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 163 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes takes on completely different projects: from producing the most expensive film in history to high-speed flight records. But behind the mask of confidence is an unhappy person with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Director Martin Scorsese and one of his favorite actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, retell the story of the real-life Howard Hughes in a very emotional way. In fact, it is not known for certain whether he suffered from OCD, but much in the life of a millionaire testified to this mental illness.

4. Crew

• USSR, 1979.
• Action, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 135 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The plot of the film is divided into two parts. The first is devoted to the personal life of the pilots, their relationship with each other and loved ones. And in the second part, the crew finds themselves in a difficult situation: an earthquake begins at the airport where the plane landed. The pilots manage to lift the ship into the sky, but due to severe damage, the crew and passengers are in mortal danger.

The picture covers two genres at once: first, the viewer is shown a real drama, and then a spectacular blockbuster. "The Crew" is called the first Soviet disaster film. Indeed, the intensity of the action and the visuals are just great for the cinema of the time.

3. Airplane

• USA, 1980.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 88 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Former military pilot Ted Stryker suffers from aerophobia. But the desire to return his beloved - the flight attendant Helen - forces the hero to board her flight. But during the flight, the entire crew and most of the passengers on board suffer from food poisoning. And only Ted can land the plane.

The most insane and very witty parody from the famous trio of directors Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker pokes fun at many popular disaster films like "Airport" based on the novel by Arthur Haley. It is surprising that many have already forgotten the originals, and the comedy version still hits numerous tops of the best films about aviation.

2. The wind grows stronger

• Japan, 2013.
• Drama, history, biography.
• Duration: 126 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Since childhood, Jiro dreamed of flying, but due to myopia he could not become a pilot. Then Jiro decided to devote his life to the design of aircraft. He will have to overcome many disappointments and trials, but his efforts will be rewarded.

The incredibly beautiful and very emotional cartoon by Hayao Miyazaki is partly based on the biography of the real aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi, but most of the plot is still fictional. It's just a story about dreaming and flying.

1. Only "old men" go into battle

• USSR, 1973.
• Military, drama, comedy
• Duration: 87 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

During the Great Patriotic War, Soviet pilots manage not only to repulse the enemy. In their free time, they put together a small orchestra, and Captain Titarenko, nicknamed Maestro, leads it. Under his leadership, inexperienced youths gain experience and turn into seasoned "old men".

In the USSR, many films were made about military pilots: there are wonderful films "Heavenly Slow Mover" and "Chronicle of a Dive Bomber", which also deserve attention. But still, it was "Only" old men "who go into battle" became the most favorite among the audience. It stunningly combines bright jokes and a story about the tragedies of the war.