JohnHowardReid Copyright 30 September 1964 by Arcola Pictures. An Aaron Rosenberg Production, released through 20th Century-Fox. New York opening at the Palace and local cinemas: 9 December 1964. U.S. release: 30 September 1964. U.K. release: November 1964. Sydney opening at the Regent. 9,506 feet. 105 minutes.SYNOPSIS: One night on a lonely beach near the Los Angeles Airport, Consolidated Airlines flight 22 piloted by Captain Jack Savage (Rod Taylor) crashes and burns. All passengers and crew are killed, with the exception of a stewardess, Martha Webster (played by Suzanne Pleshette). Sam McBane (Glenn Ford) Director of Flight Operations for the Airline, rushes to the scene of the accident. He is told by airport personnel that Savage reported his right engine on fire shortly after takeoff and requested permission to land. Savage was told to maintain altitude on his left engine until a flight path was cleared. Minutes later, the plane crashed. McBane is baffled by the accident. It is his assignment to determine the accident's cause, but he can find no logical reason. Surely the plane could have maintained altitude on one engine. What else could have gone wrong? COMMENT: Flashbacks, that's the problem. Much as I enjoyed Jane Russell's guest spot, all the re-enactments really do is to flesh out the part played by Rod Taylor. As Mr. Taylor is not an actor over-loaded with charisma, I can do without these unnecessary scenes. Otherwise it's not a bad little film, with some good suspense — even if the solution is somewhat too pat and thus unsatisfying. Glenn Ford is his usual reliable self, and the support cast is loaded with interest.

dglink Movies that depict air travel in the 1950's and 60's, such as "The High and the Mighty," "The Crowded Sky," and Ralph Nelson's 1964 adaptation of Ernest K. Gann's bestselling novel, "Fate is the Hunter," comprise a mini-genre that must evoke nostalgia among those who flew the friendly skies, when they were really friendly. Passengers dressed for the flight, friends and relatives came aboard to bid farewell, overhead bins were open and filled only with jackets and hats that the smiling stewardesses folded and placed there. Of course, those early days of air travel were also more dangerous, and crashes far more common than they are today. Prior to the film's titles, "Fate is the Hunter" opens with the fatal crash of an airliner only minutes after take-off. The ensuing story revolves around an investigation into the mystery of what caused the accident.Using hearsay and circumstantial evidence, the airline management and the Civil Aeronautics Board rush to blame the crash on pilot error; well played by Rod Taylor, the aptly named Captain Jack Savage and his reputation become the target. Savage is a womanizer and boozer, an irresponsible guy who makes an easy target for blame. However, Savage's old army buddy, Sam McBane, works for the same airline company and is assigned to investigate the cause of the crash. The always dependable and likable Glenn Ford plays McBane, and he subsequently interviews a number of people who interacted or knew Savage prior to the fatal flight. Suzanne Pleshette, Wally Cox, Nancy Kwan, and Dorothy Malone are among those who paint a more complex portrait of Savage that eventually leads to resolution.Despite the quaintness of flights without security checks, "Fate is the Hunter" is often engaging and holds viewer interest throughout. The leads are strong, the supporting cast is solid, and Jane Russell offers a cameo song, although her delivery outshines the lackluster tune. The velvety Oscar-nominated black-and-white cinematography by Milton Krasner and a score by Jerry Fielding further enhance the film, although today's CGI makes the film's special effects antiquated and obvious. While not quite a classic, "Fate is the Hunter" is a fine example of a Hollywood adaptation of a best-selling novel from the mid-1960's.

flarepilot First off, I am one of the rare pilots who loves this movie. I'm a 737 captain for a major airline in the USA. Also a flight instructor, an instrument instructor and multi engine instructor.I've read the book and am glad the book and movie are so different. IN this way I get two amazing stories, but with that special flavor expressed in the title.I won't describe the movie, others have done that. But if you are a pilot and don't "GET" this movie, you better take some more flying lessons.I mean it. If you don't like the fictional airliner, well that' s fine.Get over that part of it.Here is a movie that actually talks about a rudder power switch!I can also say that the cinematography is wonderful and the opening 12 minutes and last 10 minutes is the most amazing stuff I've seen. (short of reality).So, see this movie. And shut off the damn bell.

jotix100 Sam McBane and Jack Savage have been associated for quite a long time. Their friendship started during the days both were pilots in the Army in WWII. Now, at the start of the story, they are working for the same commercial airline. As Jack is preparing for a flight to Seattle, Sam, the head of operations happens to pass by. Although friendly, they are probably not as close anymore.As the flight prepares to take off, Savage, who seems to have a roving eye, spots a new stewardess. He asks for a cup of coffee, that Martha, the other attendant brings to him, but as he is about to grab it, the hot liquid spills into some of the panel. The flight takes off and soon after they are in the air, the right engine catches fire. They request to go back. They are finally cleared, but unfortunately, as they come for a crash landing, the plane strikes a pier and everyone dies, except Martha, the stewardess, who miraculously is spared.As the investigation proceeds, we are taken in flashbacks to the days of WWII when Sam and Jack were serving together. They had a big scare when they were on a mission. Sam, and the rest of the crew bail out because the plane is on a dangerous course of probably crashing into a mountain. When Sam and the men are rescued and returned to base, they are aghast in finding Jack and his plane on the airfield."Fate Is the Hunter" is a 1964 Twenty Century Fox feature we recently caught on a cable channel. Not having seen it in a while, it took us by surprise the excellent condition of the print. Ralph Nelson, its director, worked extensively in television during most of his career. It is to his credit how he draws the viewer into the story, involving us in ways we didn't expect. The film is based on a book by Ernest Gann.Glenn Ford, a man that usually underplayed in most of his films, makes an excellent Sam McBean. He is a decent man who wants to clear his buddy's name, and at the same time, spare his employer of bad publicity. Rod Taylor, who is made to look older as Jack in the first scenes, does also a good job of this fearless pilot. Susanne Pleshette appears as Martha, the surviving stewardesses. Nancy Kwan is a scientist with a theory about why things happened on the plane. Wally Cox, Mark Stevens, Harold St. John, Constance Towers, and the wonderful Mary Wickes are seen in supporting roles. An uncredited Dorothy Malone is fun to watch as Jack's girlfriend who decides to throw a party at an inappropriate time.Milton Krasher's cinematography deserves a nod for what he was able to capture with the film, that was basically shot inside the studio. Jerry Goldsmith's musical score serves the film well. Ralph Nelson deserves the credit for the way he handled his large cast.