Flight of the Phoenix -- starting the engine

Last scene of the 1965 version, starting the engine with Coffman cartridges.

[@martinkirugi254]

When you have watched the whole movie you know that this engine was their lifeline. I have watched it a million times but still cross my fingers when they are starting the engine. Great movie

[@JugSouthgate]

They all know that the cartridges are the only way to start the engine - and if it does not start, they are all dead men. But if it starts and runs, they have a chance.

[@TheSaltydog07]

Me, too!

[@pauljanssen7594]

Me too!

[@directormbj]

I do the same, watching the movie a million times and crossing my fingers

[@user-sv1kj6ib8h]

Me acuerdo de la película el vuelo del fenix

[@mattmenefee3889]

Having seen this movie 10+ times, I'm still crossing my fingers it starts. This IS cinema.

[@fatarsemonkey]

Lol I know what you mean.

[@JW...-oj5iw]

Biggest model plane the guy ever built.

[@popps2502]

Ha Aha Me to Matt.

[@michaelworse6034]

Same here , I swear . Love this incredible piece of cinema art

[@hoosieryank6731]

No swearing, no love triangle, just top notch moviemaking.

[@WilliamHunterII]

I remember watching this movie back in the mid to late sixties and thinking that it was one of the best movies ever. Now, more than fifty years later, I think I was right.

[@akramkhan9055]

The good things you are still alive and can watch modern era movies as wel..😁😁

[@user-nu9im9zc8s]

What about 2004 version.... For me the original is better

[@chfire2004]

@@user-nu9im9zc8s I like the original one better, but am also happy that there was a remake of this movie, because I always thought it was a awesome.

[@fooman2108]

Don't that James Bondian (none of the original but the shadow of the original plot) reboot a few years ago with Denis Quade.... P.S. don't forget that this same aircraft (on its SECOND flight) killed the famous flier Paul Maintz...

[@Mikevdog]

Oddly, it got poor ratings. I love it.

[@thomaskruse304]

Hello from Germany.The Music and the Sound together,when the Engine started.A Movie just for Men's.Looking the Movie with 20 years Old Whisky and a big Steak.Sorry for my English.

[@ohger1]

Your English is better than most native Americans speak... hope that steak was good!!

[@ernesthill2681]

You're doing just fine, friend =)

[@TheSaltydog07]

I wish I could write German as well as you write English. Hallo aus Georgien!

[@scottdunkirk8198]

You did fine on your English, you made a great point

[@margin606]

Perfectly understandable - best way to enjoy it! 👍

[@erichaynes7502]

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a perfect example of how you build suspense.

[@michaelcudworth7591]

Absolutely, one of the great movie scenes. Why anyone thought this film needed remaking is beyond me.

[@sticktrik]

Michael Cudworth Because the director is a money hungry dick trying to remake an untouchable classic!!!!!!!

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

Nope, I’ve seen this hack work hundreds of times. Characters, shots used over and over again.

[@ironroad18]

But without "jump cuts", a shallow plot, CGI Matrix rip-off action, and pop music artists that can't act, how could I ever like such a movie?

[@flexiblestrategist9922]

@@michaelcudworth7591 I agree. I should have never watched the remake.

[@clairedemorgan5695]

A brilliant film with a brilliant cast. I refuse to watch crap remakes. This is an absolute classic!

[@petera5894]

i do the samething

[@jackkruese9929]

Yup totally agree

[@transformer889]

I agree

[@ohger1]

I am not one of those people who has a pre-conceived bias against remakes, but the remake of Flight sucks pelican balls. This one is far superior.

[@prospero4183]

The remake is pretty good, its not the same, but it still has the feel

[@mikerieck306]

It needs more juice! I loved this movie growing up in the 60's. Proves you can make a good film without swearing and blowing peoples heads off every other second.

[@MrDaiseymay]

YEAH--FUNNY THAT

[@kenwbrenner]

Agreed Mike!

[@DanielSanchez-og4ox]

"You bastard? "

[@GrrMeister]

I Will make that 90 Likes ! Well Deserved. Read my other comment and true (1986)

[@SuperCanuck777]

@@DanielSanchez-og4ox they can be forgiven for that

[@-DC-]

That Pratt and Whitney spinning round has stayed with me for over 40 year's, what a incredible sight it coming alive.

[@markewins9662]

This scene is BRILLIANT! The suspense as to whether the engine will/won't start is priceless. The sound of that old radial engine is gorgeous. The music was great too. Richard Attenborough when he drops to his knees and says 'you B*stard' just brings a tear to your eye's. I have rebuilt car & motorcycle engines over the years, and that feeling you get on the first start up.

[@operator6471]

just realized the drone underlying the score on the music sounds like a running, aeroplane engine,

[@shauny2285]

What's that old saying, you don't start a radial engine, you wake it up?

[@RSTI191]

Little did he know he'd be running from dinosaurs in a few years time..

[@paulwatters9225]

While growing up, my sisters and I had very strict bed times on school nights. One day, our parents told us that they had watched an incredible movie the night before called "The Flight of the Phoenix" and that if it was ever on TV again (obviously, this is pre VCR or cable), we would be allowed to stay up to see it, no matter what night of the week it was. High praise, indeed, and they never said that about any other show or movie...

[@NealB123]

A great movie. Rest in peace to Paul Mantz, the stunt pilot who died while filming the final flight scene.

[@RobertBlevins]

Paul Mantz. He was a historical aviator for sure. His lifelong partner in crime (Frank Tallman) flew a twin-engine Beechcraft through a billboard for 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZ2mYnmYpNZorKssi=lK6wY6yibrIrmJ1W

[@CalebAAmanim]

he is probably looking down from heaven

[@abundantharmony]

@@CalebAAmanim If he's in heaven, he has much better things to look at. Remember the story of Lot's wife in the Bible?

[@pauljanssen7594]

Yes ❤😢

[@KoopaHigh]

Magical sky daddy doesn't exist. Grow up and face reality and the burden of uncertainty that comes with being a human like the rest of us instead of comforting yourselves in this silly lala land fairy tale you share with each other.

[@contractor6178]

Jimmy Stuart was a real pilot, that piloted B24’s that bombed Germany during WWII. He was perfect for this roll.

[@mercian7]

Yes indeed

[@DanielSanchez-og4ox]

Something like 24 missions.

[@mercian7]

@@DanielSanchez-og4ox My wifes great Uncle piloted a Lancaster during the War. He was 19..oh my!

[@davekp6773]

Dickie also served in the RAF, after pilot training he filmed the damage caused by previous bombing raids fro the rear gunners seat of a bomber.

[@mikecimerian6913]

Just like the cast of Dirty Dozen was mostly WWII veterans.

[@MrHairyNeck]

One of the greatest films of all time. HIGHLY UNDERRATED.

[@mercian7]

I agree

[@youtuuba]

I agree that this movie is great, a true classic. What bothers me is why, these days, it seems that everyone who writes that they like a movie then goes on to append the phrase "highly underrated", even if all evidence is that the movie is in fact highly rated. Perhaps people have a need to feel that they have discovered something, or that their views must be unique....?

[@kippy1040]

This movie made you feel like being part of the action. It was full of so much suspense. Great acting was a real part of everything

[@BLUEsurf63]

Totally agree with that.

[@wildbillhackett]

Who underrates it?

[@casparus52]

Oh I love this film. My favorite scene is Hardy Kruger having to defend his being a model airplane designer and NOT a toy airplane designer

[@tobytechdesigns]

This scene in the book is glorious, I love how he defends it so well and explains everything

[@NipkowDisk]

This is my favorite part of the film. Whoever was responsible for holding that engine right at the threshold of dying did a truly exemplary job. Thank you for posting this!

[@RobertBlevins]

They let Jimmy Stewart do this scene freely. He knew how to use Coffman starter cartridges to start an aircraft. Jimmy was a bomber pilot who flew the required number of missions across the Channel in WW2. He knew what he was doing. After the war, he eventually retired as a brigadier general in the US Air Force. You gotta love him.

[@scottmiller6495]

Jimmy Stewart was one of the greatest actors of all time, a class act and a true gentleman! Also he was a great pilot and knew how to fly commercial jet planes back in the glorious 1960s !!!!!

[@majorborngusfluunduch8694]

​@@RobertBlevinsAfter the war he served in the Air Force Reserve and later flew B-52 Arclight raids in Vietnam. Then he retired as a Brigadier General.

[@Zebred2001]

I've seen this movie a hundred times (just about my favorite movie ever) and this engine starting sequence is still absolutely agonizing and exhilarating.

[@eddiebd4088]

I was born in December 1964. I've been told this was my very first movie. Mom and Dad packed up me and my older brother and we slept in the car as they watched it at a local drive in. My father, as an engineer, appreciated the Dorfman scenes. Great movie. Saw it many years later.

[@charlesaguilar1708]

Did you enjoy and learn from it? That's what's relevant!

[@MatthewPettyST1300]

It shows you how music, a single note, brought in at the right time, with the right Umph. Brings suspense to the scene. When the engine finally started to tick over I was making a fist going come on! Come on! Catch! I saw this in a drive in with my Dad and family too back when this first came out. Remember Drive ins? I saw the Remake, only once. It doesn't hold a candle to this

[@barryc3816]

I love this scene - it resonates with anyone who has ever rebuilt an engine. I still wonder if it'll start even though I must have watched it a hundred times!

[@CaptApril123]

My grandfather (aircraft engine mechanic) introduced me to this movie in the 70's ..it helped turn me into the 'gear head' I am today..yep, the tension of the scene is still fresh.

[@mvnorsel6354]

A year ago I changed the timing belt, starting it for the first time was just like this film.

[@lawrencelewis8105]

@@mvnorsel6354 I've rebuilt car engines and the feeling is exactly the same when starting it for the first time. Its one of the most satisfying things I've ever done.

[@fredbentley4944]

Or with anyone who has tried to start one of those round engines without a coil !

[@snodgresswilim4817]

When they start pulling air and you know they want to live on their own.

[@flybobbie1449]

The scene is more intense if you watch the whole film. Everything up to now depends on that engine starting. And of course the "toy plane" scene. One of my top 5 films.

[@JugSouthgate]

For practically all of the movie, the various characters have been struggling to rebuild the plane, not knowing if they can do the job before they run out of supplies. They have seen several of their number die from various causes. All the while, they have known that if the engine won't start, it's all for nothing; they won't get a second chance. When the engine starts to run - and it's a gradual thing - you see each of them begin to realize that it's really running, and they have a chance to survive.

[@sirtinycreep]

James Stewart's acting in this was superb. The arrogance of the character, Stewart played it so convincingly. Attenborough too. All the cast was great. This is in my top three films of all time.

[@anonymoustungrer]

Wie heißen die anderen beiden.

[@Edge21190]

"But, he should know, shouldn't he?" "He DOES know"

[@turbodriven1]

Rumor has it, they are all still celebrating the engine starting to this day.

[@riazhassan6570]

Yes. Rather too much of it

[@warrenrosen132]

Not a ru.mor.

[@DarkGT]

Not for long, they have a finite amount of fuel.

[@fischerschuellar]

I jumped off my seat with tears in my eyes and clapping my hands like George Kennedy when I saw this scene first - My favourite movie of all time. :-)

[@Seasider70]

Good job he cleaned out the cylinders. And this scene gets me EVERY.. SINGLE.. TIME.

[@leeinwis]

EST

[@stevetaylor8698]

I go through this drama every day as I kick start my Jawa

[@brianingell3174]

old czech tech.....

[@fieldofscreams]

OMG. I owned one in US in the 70’s. You brought back a whole range of memories with that comment.

[@John-ob7dh]

If my FXDWG won't start I go back to bed.

[@weirdshibainu]

Jawa? Man that takes me back. Same as a BSA 441 on a wet morning

[@rcnelson]

Good one. My dad would have appreciated it, starting his ancient Harley Sportster XLCR with magneto ignition with countless kicks every morning.

[@larky368]

A truly great production. The storyline revolves around a grizzled old veteran pilot who must come to terms with the fact that he is being replaced by the button-pushers. He grudgingly must surrender his authority to the engineer but when he gets back in the cockpit he once again gives the orders and Dorfman knows he must obey.

[@JugSouthgate]

Am I the only one who is reminded of the scene in "Das Boot" where they get off the bottom of the ocean with one last desperate blow of compressed air after many hours patching up the boat?

[@richardoakley8800]

I once watched das boot with a old gentleman.. at the end he was crying.. I turned out he was a submariner in the second World War.. he never spoke about the war but the tears tell the story

[@John-ob7dh]

The Boat .A brilliant film.loved it when the crew all sang its a long way to Tipperary. Das is gute.

[@charlieross-BRM]

I saw the version in German with English subtitles before I saw the version dubbed in English. I mostly ignored the subtitles at crucial moments because hearing a strange language but the one that "belonged" to a U-boat added to my tension and that movie was all about the tension. Does anyone think The Deerhunter would have been better if the VC guards setting the prisoners at a table, two at a time to shoot themselves, were screaming in English?

[@withapulse2000]

@@charlieross-BRM i agree....I also watch it in the original german with subtitles for greater authenticity and 'immersion' (excuse the pun) into the film

[@thomast8539]

A L A R M !!!!!

[@jonathanpardoe8722]

Dennis Quaid looks under his bed every night making sure James Stewart isn't there .

[@brav0wing]

When I saw the film for the first time I was at the edge of my seat watching this particular sequence.

[@TheVagolfer]

This scene is just like starting every British sports car I ever owned.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

@Jess W Never seen a cartridge-start MG. Sounds great!

[@rustshoo5068]

With Richard Attenborough and co always circled round to raise their beers and a cheer!

[@7CharlesV]

Ha! You must love the suspense of "will it or won't it?" As Calvin's dad might've said in a Calvin and Hobbs panel, "Builds character!"

[@terencekreft482]

This and Ice Cold In Alex, two really great movies where the only backdrop is sand. Loved them both back in the 1960/70s and still love them now.

[@copferthat]

Fantastic film, made that way by fantastic actors. You can't and shouldn't ever try to remake classics, such as this, as it never works.

[@DS-wk1kn]

Really. What a cast.

[@ohhhwolfy2536]

The actors played their characters perfectly. You can't say that about most films, not even most great films.

[@michaelfricker9781]

@@DS-wk1kn l

[@warrenrosen132]

Well, True Grit worked, but that's an exception.

[@bobsyeruncle5557]

My senior school headmaster used to show a movie for the whole school on the last day before the Christmas hols. One year he showed this one. The school hall almost erupted when that engine started! A cracking movie! I loved it then and I still do.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

Jimmy flew in a bomber in WWII...he never liked to talk about it but he was a true American hero

[@wideyxyz2271]

" now the fighter he was the bogie man"......

[@davekp6773]

Dickie was also an airman having served in the RAF and filmed bomb damage.

[@John-ob7dh]

I think he ended up a colonel.

[@concise707]

@@wideyxyz2271 "he had EYES..." (We've been watching World at War - The Whirlwind, haven't we?!!)

[@dp-sr1fd]

There is a better or at least as good scene in this film when Hardy Kruger's character tells them that he actually makes model aeroplanes not real ones. Absolutely sublime acting from all the cast.

[@UBIK1969]

Damn right. A scene i never forgot. And this is 40 ys ago!

[@dp-sr1fd]

@@UBIK1969 I do like the way the director did not overdo the suspense, there was still one cartridge left.

[@starsnstuff842]

Another scene was just before that when Lou(Attenborough) has a mental breakdown on learning of the fact. The expression of sadness and pity on James Stewarts face was a phenomenal. piece of acting, helped along with the discordant backing music.

[@warrenrosen132]

Stewart was at his best in these technical roles.

[@lutzdiagram]

my favorite scene,the guy counting on his fingers and using the 1 cartridge ignition off.

[@wassupdoc2780]

Yeah he can't count on his fingers very well either! That was hilarious!

[@TheTeufelhunden68]

I was born in the sixties, and I love this movie.

[@Lewlew007]

One of the best scenes in film history

[@DreamyWoIf]

Better scene than the whole remake film.

[@herbertbrady9820]

DreamyWolf CD

[@harleykingman]

REMAKES DON'T USUALLY LIVE UP 2 THE ORIGINALS !!

[@warplanner8852]

Martin Parmer, yeah, but the remake was a pathetic CG piece of shit. This was a class act!

[@k.w.churchill4397]

I did not know there was a remake !..No doubt not as good. Peter was great!

[@RobertBlevins]

Brother, that's for sure. The producer of the remake was the SON of the original producer. And he's IN the original. He's the young guy who offers a drink to James Stewart. 'Make you fly real good,' he says. He dies in the crash, just like his remake did so many years later LOL.

[@lincbond442]

I still remember the first time I saw this film. The suspense of this scene seemed to go on forever, in a good way. Film makers today have really dumbed down and sped up crucial scenes in more recent movies.

[@gingerelvira6587]

I was 10 years old

[@jeffblazey612]

This scene has stuck in my head for decades so I looked it up and here it is. Must have made an impression on other folks too, as did the entire movie for me when I was a kid. But this scene is a classic example of tension building and great story telling/editing from wonderful actors. I find it a particularly good story because Jimmy Stewart does not play a particularly likable character at all, jaded and cynical. He's the leader but has to cede his authority a bit to the German designer, taking a bitter second fiddle position. But he eventually comes around. A good human story about being human, displaying a wide range of our faults and strengths in a very tight setting. And being in the aviation industry, I can say it is very real! Well done and still an excellent watch even today.

[@JugSouthgate]

There is also the tension between the old-school seat-of-the-pants pilot, who is from the past, and the young engineer, who is the future. The old pilot doesn't want to admit that the young engineer might know things the old pilot doesn't. And the young engineer doesn't want to admit that it takes real skill to fly the airplane.

[@ditzydoo4378]

All for dramatic tension, first the cartridge starter for this engine is not firing into a cylinder, second any radial left for any time will have it's oil pool to the bottom cylinders. This requires the propeller to be pulled through for a minimum of 3-turn. If not you risk hydrostatic lock in which the engine will not turn over without damaging the jugs (cylinder heads). The Coffman engine starter (also known as a "shotgun starter") was a back up starting system used on many piston engines in aircraft and armored vehicles of the 1930s and 1940s. The Coffman system was one of the most common brands; another was the Breeze cartridge system, which was produced under Coffman patents. Most American military aircraft and tanks which used radial engines were equipped with this system like the Pratt & Whitney R-4360-20W 28-cylinder air-cooled radial engines used on the C-119 Flying Boxcar seen here. The Coffman starter uses a specially made 4 gauge paper shell with an electric primer. It is filled with .25" and .187" diameter cordite pellets for slow burning powder. The shell fires into a starter assembly on the accessory case of the engine, same position as an electric starter. It DOES NOT fire directly into a cylinder of the engine. The gasses force a piston inside the starter assembly forward towards the engine collapsing spiral gears on top of each other converting it into a circular motion. This engages the starter dog and rotates the starter gear. After the piston reaches the end of its travel a valve released the residual pressure and a die spring resets the whole process.

[@warrenrosen132]

We'll never know if,it would have started on the next cartridge anyway, but this is effecrive use of dramatic license.

[@ditzydoo4378]

@@warrenrosen132 Oh agreed, it is quite suspenseful indeed.

[@Dragonblaster1]

This is an absolute masterpiece of cinematic tension. Perfect.

[@jlocke62]

What kind of sorry, unhappy person would "thumbs down" a clip with Jimmy Stewart and George Kennedy in it?

[@BLUEsurf63]

Someone who doesn't appreciate great cinema..

[@terrybeavan4264]

Agreed, and don't forget Richard Attenborough!

[@gingermiller9641]

A total idiot

[@bobsyeruncle5557]

Maybe someone who produced the awful remake

[@robertgautreau5611]

As of March 18th 2021 there are 110 people That don't. Now what a great movie is

[@THE-HammerMan]

Great scene from a great movie. The "remake" is not worth wasting words on...

[@kenw.1112]

One of the greatest movies ever done. This is truly a masterpiece. No matter how many times I watch this movie I never get tired of it.

[@farmerne]

I still get goose bumps whenever I watch this!

[@BRENDAJASON1]

farmerne my butt cheeks squeeze together when I watch this thinking they was gonna be stuck

[@DS-wk1kn]

@@BRENDAJASON1 - Was that comment really necessary?

[@ohhhwolfy2536]

Damn right, I get goose bumps too.

[@tonywright8294]

I’ve got them now

[@tonysuley4306]

What a lovely feeling to see it start and the joy,that is how I feel every time I start my car.

[@juanantoniochamorrobarrien9731]

Curiously, a famous pilot, stuntman, died during the filming of this picture in 1965. James Stewart was a brilliant airman during Second World War leading a B-17 in bombing missions over Germany.

[@lawrencelewis8105]

That was Paul Mantz who was also Amelia Earhart's ground crew chief.

[@davekp6773]

Stewarts co pilot Attenborough was also a pilot who spent most of the war in the rear gunner's section filming the damage caused by previous bombing raids.

[@davidkeeton6716]

He piloted B24 Liberators not B17s in combat. Actually he did pilot B17s as an instructor.

[@brucefuhrmann4616]

Absolutely one of the greatest films ever made. I was in the navy when I first saw it on board ship in the 60's and have never forgotten it. Every man on board that night was spell bound and silent untill the engine start scene. This is what great film making is!

[@juanantoniochamorrobarrien9731]

@@brucefuhrmann4616 A type of cinema which is not filmes at all nowadays.

[@GrandMerc89]

I did a bit of handyman work on an oil rig support ship that was in port in Florida. She'd been laid up for around 20 years. The Panamanian crew was getting her ready to sail to the Pacific. The chief engineer worked like a devil to get the engines prepared to start. The climactic point of the whole job. The excitement among the crew was palpable, these guys had been stuck on this vessel for months because they didn't have visas to set foot off the ship. They desperately wanted those engines to fire. I was on the bridge when the ship's engineer hit the pneumatic starters. First came a whine, then some deep coughs, then the dull bass of 32 cylinders pulsing through the decks. The engineer throttled them up slowly and as we tugged against the mooring lines he turns to me with a grin and says, "Let's go to Panama!". At that moment I almost would have...

[@pasion4piano]

My best movie of all time as far as the acting scenes , each actors are completely into their emotional as if they were living the reality . No constant annoying background music,, just the necessary when needed Great Picture frame , nicely edited , what more can I say .

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

One of the greatest iconic moments in film history. Ronnie Frasers restrained jiggling is so powerful ... their desperation, tension and bleakness, extraordianry..just extraordinary

[@lisa-el3db]

I've seen this film a dozen times and I still get stressed out everytime I see this part. A masterpiece on film.

[@Twister051]

Going through 6 of 7 cartridges: now THAT is drama and I'm only watching a 5-minute clip! This one SMOKES the remake! Phenomenal acting!

[@ohhhwolfy2536]

Exactly! If the engine didn't fire until the last cartridge was used (the 7th one), it would've ruined the scene. We'd all be saying "Aww, come on. No way." Firing and running after cleaning out the cylinders and with one cartridge left makes the escape from the desert much more believable.

[@Samophlan]

@@ohhhwolfy2536 Which is what always made it memorable for me.

[@chriso243]

Got to be the most superb few minutes in cinematic history. Unless you watch the entire film, you'll never appreciate how magnificent this scene really is. Amazingly this movie never even gets a mention in any G.O.A.T. lists ...

[@davidweihe6052]

Well, I DID read the book before wasting my time on the remake.

[@BarriosGroupie]

1965 version, best film ever.

[@cameraman655]

I don't care how many times I see this scene, I always at the edge of my seat, cheering on that engine. Now that, boys and girls is how to make a movie.

[@salvatoredemaria8753]

One of my all-time favorites, just fantastic acting throughout this movie!

[@WhisperingJohn]

James Stewart's character is so arrogant in this film. But he redeems himself when he makes the engine kick in. Tremendous movie.

[@kats1488]

I agree about the arrogance. But as in many great movies there is some layering to it. My impression is that he is akso riddled with guilt for putting these men into this situation. Then angry/powerless because he can't save them but a meek engineer might. That the power of redemption for his perceived failing is in the hands of another. Jealous because the men have rallied around basically a nerd as their co-leader and he as the pilot, a traditional command position, has take orders. And also scared because he doesn't fully trust the engineer and yet if the plane crashes he will be the one that killed their last hope. In a sense he will lose if he wins. As in many great movies the human interaction in this movie is so rich with nuances. The characters are so well developed.

[@thomast8539]

More arrogant than the German model builder? Hardly.

[@maikeengel4171]

@@thomast8539 Both are arrogant but both are very good characters.

[@richard63]

It still brings tears to my eyes.

[@americafirst1916]

Today's actors could never pull off a movie like this. Remakes are never even close to being equal to the old original movies like this.

[@pix046]

A brilliant film. Ain't seen it in years. Examines all aspects of human behaviour. Well, male behaviourm anyway. And a post-war redemption for Germany from the brilliant Hardy Kruger.

[@nickbarsby3378]

I love this film but interestingly, in the original book, Dorfman's character was written as an uptight, pain in the neck Brit. I've often wondered if in making him German for the film just twenty years after the end of WW2, if this wasn't deliberately anti German. Of its time though I guess.

[@maikeengel4171]

@@nickbarsby3378 I don't see anything anti German about it

[@bogomir67]

Richard Attenborough later became famous for running a theme park of sorts. Something with lizards as I recall.

[@catey62]

Lol.

[@sdimartino]

Made the one he had in Kenya look like a petting zoo, didn't it?

[@nick37104]

And it all went south, as I warned him. The fractals made it quite clear. He stood on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as he could, and before he even knew what he had, he patented it, and packaged it, and slapped it on a plastic lunchbox, and he sold it. I mean, when Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don't eat the tourists.

[@terrybeavan4264]

All time favorite movie I could never tire of watching it! One of my favorite lines among so many in that movie is John Hammond saying "I really hate that man...." as Jeff Goldblum heckled him! He was also in The Great Escape among others, geez I should do a Richard Attenborough movie marathon....

[@speedskiff2]

Paul Mantz died filming this. Mantz Aviation did a lot of movie airplane filming, B-17 belly landing in 12 o'clock high, flew through billboard in mad,mad,mad world, and b-36 takeoff in strategic air command were some.

[@madi3536]

Paul Mantz was my great great grandpa

[@speedskiff2]

Something to be proud of. Had a response from pilot that flew the camera plane also so he may be gone, but not forgotten. Sequences they did will never happen again with computer imaging today.

[@timchristopherson572]

I believe he also did the low flying scene with a B-17, in "The War Lover" with Steve McQueen...

[@bogomir67]

People keep forgetting: they actually flew that movie prep! No cgi or RC models there. And yes Mantz died flying it.

[@lincolnloud6790]

Wow

[@attittood]

One of the greatest cinematic moments of all time. I always wonder if the engine will start every time I see it. Fantastic stuff!!

[@tomservo5347]

What a great movie. The old barnstorming pilot Mr. Townes was ready to go (and doubtful the engine would even start, if not shake the whole plane to pieces.) As Mr. Dorfmann stated "it will take a pilot of extraordinary ability to fly" and Mr. Townes was in his element and IN CHARGE once that engine caught. "Alright Mr. Dorfmann start pullin' !" Herr Dorfmann then wisely acquiesced when he realized his job as designer was finished and it was all in Mr. Townes' hands at that moment.

[@GK1976A]

Just burst into tears watching this again. Must be that time of the month.

[@salahlaifi2728]

Das ist Cult, ich sehe das immer wieder einer von den besten Geschichten den es je gab....und würde in meine Alte Heimat gedreht love it...

[@hawkmaster381]

“Alright, Mr. Dorfmann, START PULLING!” LOL

[@mikeallen2097]

A classic! I remember seeing when I was 13 years old. Never forgot. If I remember correctly, the movie was dedicated to Paul Mantz, a great pilot, who died making it. It doesn't get better than this one.

[@jungleno.]

This movie would again be a blockbuster if played in cinemas today.

[@NickMonteleone]

I saw this movie at the Plaza theater in KCMO in the 60s. Loved it. I still watch it whenever it comes on. Anything with James Stewart is good.

[@oldschool1993]

Still a lot of tension in the engine starting scene 54 years later- when I saw it in a theater in 1965 it was almost unbearable, everyone was rocking back and forth trying to help that motor run.

[@AlexSmith-fs6ro]

The elation of those men is so contagious.

[@deannaervien2481]

One of my all time favorite movies. I've seen it at least 100 times and can quote almost all of the dialog. I never get tired of watching it. And yes I have it on vhs and DVD. Kathy from placitas new mexico

[@OforOboe]

Thank you, pcuser80. Incomparably superb scene from one of the greatest dramas ever made. A superb example of sound effects and music mixed to heighten the visuals in a synergy that just swept one along and delivered sustained chills down the spine. A great moment in cinema.

[@ewaf88]

A well filmed - edited and scored scene - tension just drips out of it.

[@MatthewPettyST1300]

It shows you how music, a single note, brought in at the right time, with the right Umph. Brings suspense to the scene. When the engine finally started to tick over I was making a fist going come on! Come on! Catch! I saw this in a drive in with my Dad and family back when this first came out. Remember Drive ins? I saw the Remake, only once. It doesn't hold a candle to this

[@ewaf88]

@@MatthewPettyST1300 No the remake isn't much good. Modern film editors seem incapable of matching action to music properly. I learned my licks from Gerry Anderson and his incredibly talented team.

[@norberthofmann8391]

One of best movies that come to me...After so much time tears come to my eyes when i watch it...

[@sethkimmel7312]

Thank you Pratt and Whitney......

[@John-ob7dh]

Who u calling a Pratt.

[@louivy2000]

First saw this in Vietnam 65-66! Was an engine mechanic on engines like this. Don't know about the aerodynamics but the engine is correct.

[@smooth_sundaes5172]

I've never seen the remake and not sure I ever want to. The original is so packed with bloody good actors I can't see how a "remake" would be any better or anywhere near as good. Ronald Fraser is a particularly good British actor almost lost among a field of all time greats.

[@mercian7]

Yes..it begins with some nastiness though..two legends die Ernest Borgnine and Peter Finch

[@LanielPhoto]

Didn't like the remake as much as the original..... wonder why?

[@christophergoldring7553]

There are no actors today

[@darkknightwithanidea1845]

I’ve seen this film many many times & just watching him clear out those cylinders & then giving it one last go ... gave me goose bumps. Even to this day. WOW ! That’s classic cinema suspense. BEAUTIFUL !!!

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

Although... the cartridge he fires to 'clean-out the cylinders' doesn't seem to turn the engine at all. Is there some provision to discharge a Coffman cartridge directly INTO the cylinders?

[@ohhhwolfy2536]

Stuck in the desert, all hope is lost....yeah, that would be me at 2:18-2:21 That's all I'd be able to do is watch, hop up & down and count on my fingers how many cartridges were used out of 7. You've posted the best 4 1/2 minutes of one of the best movies ever. Thank you.

[@pcuser80]

Your welcome.

[@colmaniac]

Best part of the film, they dont make stuff like that anymore :(

[@nedlangman8846]

One of my favourite scenes in a movie. I hope they show this clip to film students to demonstrate why some movies do not need to be remade.

[@pilot3016]

Incredible Aviation movie, and study of human nature.

[@Wayoutthere]

Right up there with the diesel engine restart after being stuck on the ocean floor in Das Boot.

[@JugSouthgate]

"Keep going and get us back! THAT'S AN ORDER!"

[@TheWairarapaWildcat]

Ryanair's new £10 service to New York gets under way :D

[@g00gleminus96]

No, no, no, Ryanair doesn't provide a plane or an engine or a pilot for that service. You must supply your own.

[@GrrMeister]

*Yea right, but with Luggage (1 small Case) Hand Luggage charges, seating costs added, booking fees and Credit Card surcharge, it suddenly increases to £4999* *_And to top that 3 stopovers in Greenland, St John's and Montreal taking 14 hours !_*

[@jackkruese9929]

Hanging onto the wings for 3000 miles would be an improvement on Ryanair

[@briane173]

"I'd like to apologize for those straps above your heads. You folks flying coach of course don't have any straps...."

[@Meanie010]

"Excuse me, stewardess, I'd like to use the bathroom please." - "NO! I FORBID IT!"

[@danielross9057]

In this movie you really feel their hardships I run to the refrigerator every commercial break to get a warming snack and turn up the air conditioner

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

Feb. 12, 2019---Thanks for the video clip....hell of a good movie, one that I have on VHS from years ago. Just occurred to me this would make one hell of a 1/72nd scale diorama, especially with the prop being powered by a hidden motor.

[@guyluck9253]

One of the best movies. I remember it as a kid 60 odd years ago. Thanks for posting it.

[@ernied349]

Start pulling Mr Dorfmann

[@coolcat1684]

Ernie D haha shut up and pull you nerdy kraut

[@boy18inva]

My grandpa had a farm tractor that started like this. You would stick this cartridge in the side, and hit it with a hammer.

[@ffjsb]

English Marshall tractors used them, not very popular way to start an engine though.

[@CaptApril123]

The Coffman starter is somthing my grandfather was very familier with, he'd probably be testing the things at Royces on the radial engines. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffman_engine_starter

[@CaptApril123]

@@ffjsb Even today starting a 'big' engine still requires external support, usually a big pneumatic pump to crank it over. Out in the field (like big military machines) this would have been a convenient solution. I assume these days starter and battery technology has vastly improved.

[@ffjsb]

@@CaptApril123 You "assume" starter and battery tech has improved??? Did you just discover the internet? Most military vehicles use electric starters. Even most locomotives have electric starters. The shotgun shell starters were pretty rare, and never really caught on, especially in the US.

[@CaptApril123]

@@ffjsb yea, i figure the inter tubes are just a passing fad :-o yes i 'assumed' that because I'm pretty ignorant of what is actually used to start those machines..but i can imagine it's a battery starter. I like all manor of engine tech especially the unusual.

[@RobertBlevins]

Jimmy Stewart. He was the Real Deal. Acting career before World War 2, put that on hold to fly bombing missions over Germany, came home and had one of the best film careers in history. He retired from the Air Force reserve as a brigadier general. Oh...along the way he did movies like this classic.

[@zooeyhall]

I've watched this a dozen times, both on dvd and on KZbin, and it still gives me goosebumps.

[@stevenpilling5318]

Jimmy Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Hardy Krueger and George Kennedy!

[@stevenpilling5318]

@O R Y X Hardy Kruger went on to roles in "Hatari" and "The Wild Geese". Being an East African of German descent, he was well suited for all those roles.

[@BLUEsurf63]

What a cast, superb..

[@jason60chev]

More authentic, as Stewart was a real multi engine pilot.

[@ernesthill4017]

Don't forget Ernie Borgnine, Ian Bannon, Dan Duryea, and Peter Finch!

[@jerrykrueger3410]

It’s Kruger. My Dad spelled this way until when he came to Canada in 1950. There was the “umlaut”, two dots above the U. He added the extra E to make it less German.

[@leethomas2433]

pure dynamite! it makes you want to jump for joy with those guys as the engine finally gets going...

[@windsorSJ]

A simple story well told with a great cast. One of the best. There is a lesson here for Hollywood.

[@cdavid8139]

incredible scene. One of my favorites in all the movies I've seen

[@STHFGDBY]

I think Hardy Kruger is the only surviving actor from this movie. He's 91 Y.o.a

[@bobbylee2853]

Barrie Chase was the mirage belly dancer. She’s still kicking too.

[@scotpens]

@@bobbylee2853 Strictly speaking, the belly dancer was a hallucination or fantasy, not a mirage. A mirage is an optical illusion created by physical conditions. Everyone can see a mirage. A hallucination is only in your head! And Barrie Chase was one of the sexiest dancers ever.

[@starsnstuff842]

The stunt pilot was killed making the film. The original plane was destroyed and had to be replaced that's why the plane looks different in the final scene when it flies over the oasis.