In 2004, a director named John Moore tried his hand at remaking the classic adventure film The Flight of the Phoenix. The original from 1965 brings together colorful names such as James Stewart and Richard Attenborough. The remake at least had Dennis Quaid and Tyrese Gibson – but little luck in implementing the huge task. You can stream The Flight of the Phoenix on Disney+*. We explain the disastrous shooting of the adventure film.
On Disney+: This is what The Flight of the Phoenix is all about
Captain Frank Towns (Dennis Quaid) is supposed to take the workers of a disused oil platform to Beijing on a routine flight. But the plane crashes – over the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. And the water supply only lasts for two days. The group is completely on its own and there is no hope of rescue. The only solution: a new aircraft must be constructed – from the rubble.
The shooting was a complete series of misfortunes
20th Century Fox
Dennis Quaid in The Flight of the Phoenix
The Flight of the Phoenix was not on a set, but filmed in the Namibian desert. This led to some complications and stress on set. A car carrying actor Jared Padalecki rolled over unplanned, as he said on the Ellen show. This accident had no major consequences. But more went wrong on set.
Cameraman Ciaran Barry filmed behind a barrier designed to protect his equipment. A 363 kilogram fiberglass model airplane rolled down an elevated slope – and, it is said, fell fatally into Barry’s hiding place. The cameraman was seriously injured. He broke both legs in the accident and also suffered neurological damage.
Barry sued the company 20th Century Fox and was proven right in 2009. He was awarded $3.95 million in damages. The amount was largely made up of lost earnings.
With a budget of up to 75 million US dollars and box office receipts of just 34.5 million, The Flight of the Phoenix ultimately flopped in cinemas. Which made the chain of misfortune perfect. You can stream the film at any time on Disney+.
*. If you purchase through these links or take out a subscription, we receive a commission. .