Sole Survivor (1970)

Lack of good storyline.

Am I Missing Something?

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

The movie's title was only a partial clue; the opening scene of airmen lounging by a plane wreck in the Libyan desert, and talking of their life in that inhospitable wilderness for the preceding 17 years, immediately alert you that we're venturing into 'Twilight Zone' territory. Except that this film is more about the twilight zone of the conscience of a guilt-wracked man: a man who'd suppressed his guilt for 17 years, but is now being forced to confront it, publicly, and by men who had come to respect him.There's so much that's admirable about this film it's hard to know exactly where to start: I suppose everything has to start with the script, which is superb, as is its editing, structure, and direction. Using the ghosts of dead men as both commentators and judge and jury of the navigator who'd abandoned them is an inspired choice, as is leavening the drama and tragedy with the comic relief they provide, a relief derived partly from their tacit recognition of their powerlessness.At times it plays like a detective story, too, as the most likely scenarios are assessed, and as pressure is brought to bear upon the Major leading the enquiry, reminding him of the necessity to think of his career, and of the distinguished officer whose career and reputation he may be about to damage, irreversibly, should he make the wrong conclusions. Until we learn of the mistake the major had himself made.Inevitably a decision had to be made, but even then the director and screenwriter found a way to ingest a little poetry: those beautiful, elegiac final scenes, where the ghosts feel their immortality slipping away, were a fitting end to a wholly admirable piece of work.It was interesting that I would have first become aware of two of the three leads playing commanding officers in science-fiction ships of different eras - respectively Richard Basehart, as the general (Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea), and William Shatner (Star Trek). Unsurprisingly, Basehart, being the more feted actor, shone brightest here, but Shatner acquitted himself well as the pragmatic enquiry leader, focused on his career, and his imminent pension. Vince Edwards did well, also, as the major, with his own debt to pay.

After bugging my brother in law forever, he finally found a copy of this curious movie from 46yrs ago. It remains interesting today because no expense was spared with the cast - the fine performances keep this eerie tale alive. It's about a B-25 Mitchell Bomber being found in the Libyan Desert 17 years after the war. Even though the story looks like it may run out of steam - it keeps drawing you in, right up to the haunting resolution. It's always impressive when major real-life items are found years after their mysterious disappearance. In this case it's the finding of a WW11 plane (The Lady Be Good) that's finally found where it came down in the Libyan Desert so long ago. This actual discovery (in 1958) must have made a considerable impression on writer Guerdon Trueblood (grandson of General Billy Mitchell) as he seems to have based his 'Sole Survior' story on the locating of that ill-fated aircraft - lost, after its first (and only) combat mission - resulting in the tragic loss of all lives on board. The aircraft featured in 'Sole Survivor', while a different model, is also found about the same time after it went missing. Trueblood then tells the story of a military investigation into what could possibly have gone so terribly wrong, so long ago. The newly re-mastered DVD release is good looking indeed. Who knows, we just might find another of those unforgettably haunting classics of the small screen "A Cold Nights Death" from around the same time - remastered for us all to enjoy once more....now, might that also be possible?

I was lucky enough to watch this recently, from a copy someone had on VHS, (which i promptly converted to DVD) what a story, I cant believe you cant buy this. as I would gladly buy it for a better DVD quality copy (Though the VHS rip i have is pretty good)As for the story, I to saw this as a kid back in the early 70s I must of been 8 or 9 yrs old. Even then it haunted me. So glad I could see it again. I must make mention of Mr Glass's haunting music. reminded me of planet of the apes in parts (which is a good thing)I know its based loosely on a true story, which also adds to the it keeping you fixed to the screen watching.

I remember seeing this as a TV movie quite some time ago, but never forgot it. A great bit of storytelling in the way it carefully meters out the details that expose the truth, both through factual and paranormal elements.William Shatner is dependable as always, and a great ensemble cast portrays the timeless crew members, but Richard Baseheart delivers a truly great performance as a man haunted by his past, stuck upon the horns of overwhelming guilt and pride as he grapples with the revelation of a truth that will destroy not only his career, but ultimately, will be his undoing as well.I saw an old Twilight Zone episode today called "King Nine Won't Be Coming Back" that seems like it is either based on the same B-24 discovery that spawned "Sole Survivor", or perhaps was an inspiration to this movie. The story line was so similar as to make it seem like more than a coincidence. In any event, the two of them would be enjoyable to view together.