The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story

TV Movie
1988
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

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The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (1988)

This made-for-television film documents the takeover of the TWA airliner in flight from Athens to Rome in 1985. The focus is on the flight attendant, Uli Derickson, whose courage and hope he... Read allThis made-for-television film documents the takeover of the TWA airliner in flight from Athens to Rome in 1985. The focus is on the flight attendant, Uli Derickson, whose courage and hope helped save all but one of the passengers on the plane. The movie chronicles the first 2 day... Read allThis made-for-television film documents the takeover of the TWA airliner in flight from Athens to Rome in 1985. The focus is on the flight attendant, Uli Derickson, whose courage and hope helped save all but one of the passengers on the plane. The movie chronicles the first 2 days and the aftermath.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

390

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys
- 1 win & 6 nominations total

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The real Uli Derickson acted as consultant for this film.

Goofs
The exterior shots of the TWA plane indicate it is a Boeing 727-200. However the interior shots show a galley in the middle of the aircraft, which is a feature of the slightly smaller 727-100.

Quotes
Flight Attendant Audrey: Only one day for a layover. How's a girl supposed to work on her tan?
Flight Attendant Jane: Oh, Audrey! Think about it. What other job pays you to get a suntan?
Purser Uli Derickson: How about a lifeguard?
Flight Attendant Audrey: Lifeguard! Yeah! And there's a cheap wardrobe!

Crazy credits
Disclaimer on the end credits: "Trans World Airlines has provided technical assistance but in no way has endorsed the production and is not responsible for the truth or accuracy of the content of this program."

Connections
Featured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)

User reviews5

Review

Featured review

7/10

Surprisingly low-key and effective hostage drama

And you thought your last vacation was bad! This modest 1987 made-for-TV docudrama, starring Lindsay Wagner as flight attendant Uli Derickson, does a surprisingly good job of depicting a 1985 Arab hijacking without too much of the expected overdone histrionics or Rambo-esquire heroics. The writing carefully and sensibly sticks to Derickson's perspective. This is certainly one of Wagner's best roles; she is affecting, again without being overly glamorized.

If this all has something of a Reader's Digest Drama-in-Real-Life feel to it, that goes with the territory. No great contribution to world cinema, but well done.