Last Plane Out

I've never seen a worse movie in my life. This Reagan-era propaganda vehicle, "a Jack Cox production" stars Jan-Michael Vincent as, guess who, "Jack Cox", who is supposedly a journalist although the credits remark that the real Jack Cox, when not making terrible movies, "continues to work as a consultant in Central America."

The title refers to the last chance to escape Nicaragua before the dreaded Sandinista takeover. Believe it or not, the most sympathetic (and best acted) character in this flick is...Anastasio Somoza, who is ironically played by a guy surnamed Battista (Cuba's former dictator, overthrown by Castro in 1959). Alleged journalist Cox, in the movie, is a close friend of the despised oligarch, who wants to contact the Sandinistas to "get their side of the story." He can't understand why the Sandinistas, who are universally shown as unshaven, trigger-happy cartoon-character terrorists, are so unreasonably reluctant to let Somoza's buddy into their headquarters. I can't understand why they eventually do so.

Some particular oddities: the bland, peculiarly upbeat flute-led soundtrack, which is reminiscent of "Room 222"; Mary Crosby, a Kim Basinger lookalike whose main role is to look great wielding a camera on top of a jeep, and get rescued a lot; the outstanding dialogue: "We're sending you because with your expertise, Jack, you can get in and out like that"; Sandinista to Cox: "You chust go to hell!"; Julie Carmen as a rich, secretly Sandinista babe who inexplicably falls in love with Cox.

In short, this flick is Jack Cox advertising his own alleged virtues against a background of revolutionary Nicaragua which existed only in his imagination.

For an interesting juxtaposition, try watching this and then "Under Fire", the excellent Nolte/Hackman effort on Nicaragua and the Sandinistas. Even if you don't agree with its overtly leftist politics, it's got elements of a real movie, such as a plot, acting, and intentional dark humour--which are totally lacking in "Last Plane Out".

I have to admit that I enjoyed watching the movie the first time. The movie portrays a country (supposed to be Nicaragua) before and in a revolution. The spectator of the film is forced to identify with Jack Cox who is a close friend to the dictator Somoza who will eventually flee from his country. As Jack Cox returns to Nicaragua once more, you get an apocalyptic feeling about the place that was just introduced as rather peaceful and enjoyable 30 minutes ago. This makes you think about why it had to turn into hell.

The answers given by the film are bizarre. Thus, you have to start thinking by yourself and get the impression that there must be more to it than is shown in the movie.

My interest on Nicaragua did arise because of this film. I read some books about its history and even travelled the country. So, the movie has added to my personal education of Central America, but definitely not as it was intended by the producer.

I wasn't sure at first if this was a 'B' movie or not, so I was pleasantly surprised how well done this was! Jan Michael Vincent portrays Jack Cox, a reporter who is close to the president of Nicaraguam, Somoza. It portrays the Sandinistas in a very refreshing perspective - not the usual liberal droll we hear. It also shows a country falling apart, and takes on the Carter Administration as well for not coming to the rescue and letting Communism take a foothold in Central America. Very suspenseful for a low-key flick - it shows 3 news reporters trying to get out of the country! Filmed in Puerto Rico or Florida, it feels and looks very authentic! Jan Michael Vincent is fresh off his excellent WINDS OF WAR performance, and it carries over into this venture. Julie Carmen plays a young, aristocratic woman who secretly works with the Sandinistas. She is Jan Michael Vincent's very very brief love interest. She also starred in a 2nd season "Airwolf" episode. Definitely worth watching this film!

They filmed most of this in Vero Beach, Florida in 1982. I was an extra and made 7 scenes in the film. When they stop to watch the questioning of a line of "Nicaraguans" against this barn/building,I am the guy that tries to walk away and gets yanked back by his hair. Dude actually pulled my dang hair! Yeah, it hurt.

Jan Michael Vincent was VERY coked up during the whole shoot, wiping the white dust off his nose after emerging from his trailer many MANY times. This movie proved to me that I was NEVER going to be a movie actor, because it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO boring and tedious. In one scene, Jan and the Hispanic actress were on horseback riding down a jungle trail(filmed at McKee Jungle Gardens in Vero). Me and another guy step out from behind trees and I say," Abajo".(down). Jan was so doped up, he missed his 2 or 3 lines 75 TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That 20 second scene took 4 hours! 75 takes! Man, it sucked!.

Anyway, the "director", Davey Nelson, brother of Rickey, did about .001% of the actual directing, and the 1st AD did the rest.

It was a fun experience, but boy oh boy, did it stink up the theater.

Best part was, while setting up the scene where the house gets blown up, I see this 20-ish woman reading a Tolkien book. I struck up a conversation with her, and we talked for @ half an hour. Afterwards, the other grunts run up to me and ask "What she like!? What did you talk about?". Turns out it was Mary Crosby, and, never having watched Dallas, had no idea who she was. She probably enjoyed the fact I didn't fall down and worship her.

I still hate Dallas though. :D