Flight of the Phoenix (1965) - Part 1 Quiz

Answer: Sandstorm

To say that the plane in which the cast were originally flying was a bucket of bolts would be an understatement. Less than 2 minutes into the movie we see Captain Towns making notes in his log: "Radio out of service - Voltage regulators inoperative". Co-pilot Moran is heard saying to the passengers: "I've never yet taken off in one of the company's tubs without something being wrong".

A huge sandstorm appears when co-pilot Moran is flying the plane. The crew attempts to climb out of it, but the right engine ingests too much sand and conks out, quickly followed by the left engine. They have no choice but to ditch in the desert.

Of the other three optional answers, a rainstorm would be unlikely in that part of the world, but not impossible. Bird strikes or locusts are also possible. I included these because on the IMDB reviews of the movie, two people had erroneously stated this was why the plane went down! Don't know which movie they were watching...

Answer: Gabriele

Gabriele has his leg crushed during the accident, when a large piece of machinery falls on it. He is more fortunate than those on either side of him, they don't make it. Bill and his "Playboy" magazine are crushed by what looks like a very large piece of drilling rig.

Tasso and his bouzouki, which he had been playing prior to the plane encountering difficulties (much to the annoyance of Crow, who made one of his many ethnically-oriented criticisms, this time about the style of music), were crushed by a number of 44-gallon drums.

For added emphasis, the viewer does not see the body of Tasso - his demise is represented by the image of the smashed bouzouki.

Answer: Arabco

It would seem that Arabco have not been putting aside sufficient provisions to fund their aircraft repairs and maintenance requirements. Prior to the crash the Co-pilot is heard to say to the passengers: "I've never yet taken off in one of Arabco's tubs without something being wrong."

Answer: Cobb

Ernest Borgnine plays the role of Trucker Cobb, an oil company employee who is being flown out under the supervision of Dr Renaud. Dr Renaud diagnosed Cobb's condition, and Cobb is none too happy about it.

Borgnine does superb job playing the role of a man who has slightly lost it - at times he seems aware of his limitations, and at other times he lapses deeper into his mental limitations. It is at one of these latter times where his decision making leads him to his doom.

Answer: Benghazi

This is revealed in the early part of the movie when the plane is still airborne. Captain Towns is writing in his log, which includes the entry "Holding course for Benghazi". Later in the movie, when there is an argument about water usage, a strategically placed sign on the inside of the fuselage displays: VMR-253; R4Q-1; Bur No. 126580; Pilot - Towns; Dest - Benghazi; ETA - 1700; ETO - Hajii; ALT - 12000; TAS - 1545.

Answer: Toffee

The stage had already been set for the fractious relationship between the Captain and the Sergeant whilst the plane was still aloft. The Captain has instructed him to move a bag from the seat beside him and stow it in the hold. The Sergeant had responded by taking a couple of steps toward the rear of the plane and throwing the bag. Later in the movie this was to turn into outright mutiny.

The "bunch of gits" comment follows a conversation where Crow had observed how Captain Harris was organising everyone. "Yeah, they're all the same - toffee-nosed bunch of gits." The Sergeant goes onto explain how his father had joined him up when he was a boy, telling him he would enjoy it.

Answer: Fritz

"Hey Fritz! Give us a loan of your book when you're finished, will you?" Fritz informs Crow that "I don't think you'll find it interesting" and adds "And incidentally, my name is Dorfmann. Heinrich Dorfmann." Later in the movie, Dorfmann is wearing a towel around his head, secured with a belt. Crow then refers to him as Abdul.

Crow's first name, as used in the movie, is Ratbags. Clearly a nickname, it probably refers to his common cutting remarks. No-one is spared from his acerbic wit.

Answer: Captain Harris

Captain Harris goes into take-charge mode and informs the survivors how best to maximise their available resources. Clearly, this measure is intended to ration the water for as long as possible, given they don't know how long they will be marooned. Remarkably, Standish immediately asks if they couldn't possibly put a little bit aside each day for washing.

This suggestion is understandably met with universal derision.

Answer: "a few more pubs"

This statement is made as the reality of the survivors' situation is really starting to sink in. Nothing but miles of sand in every direction, searing heat, and little to no water on board the plane. Things are looking increasingly grim for those who are left.

That Co-pilot Moran made this statement is also telling, as he is seen swigging from a small bottle on a few occasions. He only gives it up when he decides that the injured Gabriele has more use for it, for medicinal purposes.

Answer: Dan Duryea

Dan Duryea's role is one of a weak, submissive character who seems partially oblivious to the seriousness of the predicament that the crash survivors find themselves in. He has a lengthy discussion with Captain Towns about the effect the write-off of the plane will have on the company's books.

Ronald Fraser is the dour, fed-up soldier, who becomes increasingly scornful of, and disobedient toward, his commanding officer. Ian Bannen's role is that of Crow, a character who is always making wise cracks. This was happening on the plane prior to the crash, so it wasn't a reaction to the stress of the situation.

This brings us to George Kennedy (character of Bellamy). Many movie aficionados may think of Kennedy as Joe Patroni, from the Airport films. Joe was the go-to guy when it came to getting planes out of impossible spots. Surely Joe would have been the first person to look to for a solution? Sure, you would have needed the benefit of a future time machine to be aware of his talents, but let's not let the facts stand in the way of a good story!