Top 10: Aeroplane Films

If, on some distant planet, some voyeuristic alien is observing life on earth, probably through some sophisticated telescope doodad that can see through walls and fire laser beams and make coffee, he (or she, or some other alien gender) would probably conclude that two biggest changes to occur in the distribution of people and information in the twentieth century were the invention of the aeroplane (or, as our slow-witted American cousins call them, ‘airplanes’) and the advent of the motion picture. On that sobering and slightly horrifying thought, let’s celebrate the one innovation’s chronicling of the other. And remember those aliens and their X-ray telescopes next time you visit the toilet, and hope they don’t fall asleep on the laser button.

• 10. Flight of the Phoenix (1965)

Several men, including James Stewart and Richard Attenborough, survive the crash-landing of their aeroplane in the Sahara desert. They have to work together to salvage the aircraft and fly to some kind of oasis. Later re-made with that Hugh Laurie chap.

• 9. Iron Eagle (1986)

Young hotshot Doug Masters dreams of being a USAF fighter pilot, just like his daddy. Unfortunately, Doug’s daddy gets shot down over some generic Middle Eastern nation, and is sentenced to death. With no government assistance, Doug enlists the help of retired Vietnam-era fighter pilot to go save his dad in two Iron Eagles (F-16s). No, I didn’t just make any of that up.

• 8. Red Eye (2005)

Hotel manager Lisa (Rachel McAdams) hates flying, and she probably hates it even more after sitting next to hit-man Jackson Rippner (Cillian Murphy) who embroils her in a plot to murder a politician, whilst threatening to have her father murdered if she doesn’t cooperate.

• 7. Airplane! (1980)

Leslie Nielsen stars as a doctor on-board an aeroplane where everyone – including the pilots – is hit with food poisoning. While the acting pilots are indisposed, Nielsen must offer ex-fighter pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) a stream of bad advice to coach him into landing the plane safely.

• 6. The Aviator (2004)

Martin Scorsese’s biopic of Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio): industrialist, aviation pioneer, film maker, and general womaniser. Hughes’ descent into paranoia and madness is aptly chronicled, as is his passion for flying around in the ‘Spruce Goose’.

• 5. Top Gun (1986)

“I feel the need.... The need for speed!” Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer get up to fighter pilot stuff in this classic film, featuring a mind-boggling array of nicknames, including: Maverick, Goose, Iceman, Viper, Cougar, Merlin, Stinger, and Hollywood.

• 4. Air Force One (1997)

Harrison Ford takes on those dastardly terrorists, led by Gary Oldman doing a dodgy Russian accent, in the guise of the American President trapped aboard a hijacked Air Force One. Greatest scene: Ford hanging onto a tether out of the aircraft’s rear end, screaming ‘Get off my plane!’

• 3. Snakes on a Plane (2006)

Samuel L. Jackson. A crate load of snakes. On an aeroplane. What else?

• 2. Con Air (1997)

Nicholas Cage and psychotic John Malkovich are criminals being transported by aeroplane. The only snag is when Malkovich launches a prison break mid-air, leading to a confrontation between him and Cage, who only wants a quiet release and to return home. Classic action.

• 1. The Battle of Britain (1969)

Spitfires save the day in this highly accurate depiction of the Luftwaffe’s attempted razing of London as the first part of Operation Sea Lion – Hitler’s planned invasion of Britain – thus saving Western civilization.

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