FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX

Year Published: 1965

Description: Shot by an unknown crew member, this footage shows some of the production of the feature film "Flight of the Phoenix". The 1965 film was primarily filmed in California, with some scenes shot in Arizona. This footage appears to have been shot at Pilot Knob Mesa, near Winterhaven, in the Imperial Valley, on the edge of Yuma, Arizona. The movie was directed by Robert Aldrich, who may appear in the film at the 4:16 mark. The movie was based on the 1964 novel of the same name by English author Elleston Trevor .The story follows a group of men struggling to survive their C-82 cargo aircraft's emergency landing in the Sahara. To escape their predicament, they attempt to build a new aircraft from the wreckage. The ensemble cast stars James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Peter Finch, Hardy Krüger, Ernest Borgnine, Ian Bannen, Ronald Fraser, Christian Marquand, Dan Duryea and George Kennedy. Famously, the flying sequences for the film were flown by racing, stunt, and movie pilot, Paul Mantz, who was killed when the experimental "made of wreckage" aircraft buckled during touchdown. The movie was dedicated to his memory.