FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1965

Description: Shot by an unknown crew member, this circa 1965 footage shows some of the production of the feature film "Flight of the Phoenix", with terrific coverage of the ill-fated Tallmantz Phoenix #1 aircraft. "Flight of the Phoenix" 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 and 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 known as the Tallmantz Phoenix #1 buckled during touchdown. The movie was dedicated to his memory. The Tallmantz Phoenix #1 is visible at the start of the film, with cast members lying on the wings as part of the production. At 1:11, the huge sand dunes near Yuma are shown as well as wind macines seen at 1:32. At 2:05, the Tallmantz Phoenix #1 is seen in the air, including doing a fly-by at 2:35. At 3:21 the production's Piper Aircraft PA-23, aka Apache or Aztec, tail #N3131P, is shown, followed by more footag eof the Tallmantz Phoenix #1 in flight.

Complete Record: Shot by an unknown crew member, this circa 1965 footage shows some of the production of the feature film "Flight of the Phoenix", with terrific coverage of the ill-fated Tallmantz Phoenix #1 aircraft. "Flight of the Phoenix" 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 and 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 known as the Tallmantz Phoenix #1 buckled during touchdown. The movie was dedicated to his memory. The Tallmantz Phoenix #1 is visible at the start of the film, with cast members lying on the wings as part of the production. At 1:11, the huge sand dunes near Yuma are shown as well as wind macines seen at 1:32. At 2:05, the Tallmantz Phoenix #1 is seen in the air, including doing a fly-by at 2:35. At 3:21 the production's Piper Aircraft PA-23, aka Apache or Aztec, tail #N3131P, is shown, followed by more footag eof the Tallmantz Phoenix #1 in flight.