Airport Terminal Pack (Airport/Airport '75/Airport '77/Airport '79 - The Concord)
by David Lowell Rich, George Seaton, Henry Hathaway, Jack Smight, Jerry Jameson
List Price:
Our Price: $11.45
You Save: $8.53 (43%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.74 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Alain Delon, Burt Lancaster, George Kennedy, Robert Wagner, Susan BlakelyDirector: David Lowell Rich, George Seaton, Henry Hathaway, Jack Smight, Jerry Jameson
Brand: Universal Studios
Writer: Arthur Hailey
Writer: Charles Kuenstle
Writer: David Spector
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 472 minutes
Published: 2004-02-01
DVD Release Date: 2004-02-10
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of Airport Terminal Pack (Airport/Airport '75/Airport '77/Airport '79 - The Concord)
DVD Review: 4-Movie DVD Set Yields Fine Quality! .... An Excellent Bargain!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's nice being able to have the entire "Airport" movie "franchise" located in a compact 2-Disc DVD set, which is what Universal Studios Home Video has provided fans here with the "Airport Terminal Pack".
All four "Airport" disaster flicks from the 1970s are here, with all of them featuring crisp-looking Anamorphic Widescreen DVD transfers.
This budget-priced collection comes with two dual-sided discs (one movie per side) -- so there's no pictures or other artwork on these DVDs, unfortunately. But that's only a small complaint, considering what is offered up in this set.
Movies included in this DVD collection are -- "Airport" (1970); "Airport 1975" (produced in 1974); "Airport '77" (1977); and "The Concorde: Airport '79" (1979).
"Airport" (1970) stars Burt Lancaster as "Mel Bakersfeld", General Manager of the fictitious "Lincoln International Airport", located in snowy Chicago, Illinois. Obviously, "Lincoln International" is supposed to represent Chicago's O'Hare Airport, but the name was changed to an artificial one. Many scenes in "Airport" were filmed at an actual U.S. airport -- Minneapolis-St. Paul International in Minnesota.
This initial entry in the series is by far the best (IMO), being nominated, in fact, for a whopping ten 1970 Oscars, including "Best Picture". It was battling some pretty heavyweight competition that year for the top-picture Academy Award -- with the other nominees being: "Patton" (which took the statue), "Five Easy Pieces", "M*A*S*H", and "Love Story".
"Airport" did manage to garner one of the other major Oscar awards however -- with Helen Hayes winning for "Best Supporting Actress" (besting Karen Black, Lee Grant, Sally Kellerman, and fellow "Airport" co-star Maureen Stapleton). Ironically, both Black and Grant would themselves go on to co-star in future films in the "Airport" series.
Although clocking in at a fairly-lengthy 2 hours and 17 minutes (2:16:30 to be precise), "Airport" never drags, in my view (even though about half the "action" here takes place on the ground at Bakersfeld's busy and weather-plagued airport). But, I like the film all the more for this type of "ground-based" storyline -- coupled later in the film, of course, with the intertwined plotline of Van Heflin as a disturbed bomb-carrying Rome-bound passenger.
The combination of on-the-ground and in-the-air sequences form an overall well-balanced story. And, while the "special effects" are indeed dated (very much so in fact, with the 707 shown climbing out of Chicago so obviously being a toy, complete with alternating blinking lights), they still served their purpose well enough in this movie to convey what needed to be conveyed. And despite the imperfection of the special effects, I've always liked the rather "realistic" feel that exudes from this motion picture. The genuineness of filming at the real Minneapolis Airport (MSP) shows through in the many scenes depicting the terminals, gates, etc.
In addition to Lancaster, Hayes, Stapleton, and Heflin, the first "Airport" film also co-stars Jean Seberg, Dean Martin, Jacqueline Bisset, George Kennedy, Barry Nelson, Dana Wynter, Gary Collins, Lloyd Nolan, and Barbara Hale.
Several sub-plots comprise the rich overall story of "Airport". One of these sub-plots is the love affair that married man Dean Martin is having with sexy, half-his-age stewardess Jackie Bisset. Dean was 52 when he made this movie; while Jacqueline was a mere 25. Some (old) guys have all the luck. ~wink~
Also look fast in "Airport" for young, 12-year-old Lisa Gerritsen, as Burt Lancaster's daughter ("Libby"). Lisa, later that very year (1970), would be cast in the role of "Bess Lindstrom" in the popular CBS-TV sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".
And...if "Airport" watchers are really quick, they'll be able to spy Marion Ross (of "Happy Days" fame) as one of the passengers on board "TGA Flight 2".
Many humorous moments pepper the script of the original "Airport", particularly with respect to one certain passenger, who is forever complaining about something ("474 dollars and they give you stale nuts!" ~LOL~).
And there's also the oft-times very funny "Mrs. Ada Quonsett", played by Oscar-winner Helen Hayes ("The salad dressing had garlic in it. I think you should tell [your chef], my dear, that very often elderly people can't tolerate garlic .... gives them gas"). :)
The Boeing 707 aircraft shown in the first "Airport" film was borrowed (leased) from Flying Tigers Airlines, and re-painted to display the livery of "Trans Global Airlines", which also, like the airport's name, was a name manufactured by the filmmakers.
Only one 707 was actually used to make the movie, although the impression of THREE different planes is alluded to in the picture -- one being the aircraft we see land (as "Trans Global 45") at the very start of the film; another being the plane Dean Martin pilots on the Chicago-to-Rome flight ("Trans Global Flight 2"); and the third being the jet that we see take off early in the movie, which causes a Meadowood resident some grief due to the rattling dishes on the dining-room table as the jet roars overhead ("We give thanks to Thee in the name of ... [deafening jet noise] ... JESUS CHRIST!!"). Pretty slick "sleight-of-planes" I've always thought.
One thing that strikes me as very odd concerning the first "Airport" film is the "G" rating that it apparently received from the MPAA. In my view, the film should have garnered a "PG" for the several instances of mildly foul language, if for no other reason. Add to this the rather mature subject matter -- involving people being blown to bits by homemade bombs, open conversation regarding abortion, and the three separate cases of infidelity/adultery alluded to in the movie -- and I'd say that a "G" rating was a tad bit on the lenient side.
Some "Airport" (Plane) Trivia:
A Trans Global 707 pilot says the following line at one point in the movie....
"If he [Patroni] tears this ship apart, I hope you've got eight million to pay for it."
To put the above very-"dated" statement into today's (dollars) context --- The CHEAPEST jetliner you could purchase from Boeing today will run you approximately 45-million dollars; with a new Boeing 777-300ER setting you back up to 253-million bucks.
$8-million today would probably get you one landing-gear bogey, one cramped toilet cubicle, three "Fasten Beat Selt" signs, and a proverbial bag of peanuts. And that's about it. :)
"Airport 1975" is the second of the four films, and the second-best too (IMO). Charlton Heston (in his second of at least three different roles as an airline pilot in his acting career) saves the day in this "Airport" entry, as he boards a stricken Boeing 747 jetliner in a most unorthodox fashion, via a mid-air transfer, which looks pretty authentic even by today's higher standards. This film isn't any "Casablanca", but it's still pretty fun to watch anyway. Plus, it's significant for being Gloria Swanson's final film.
The 747 Jumbo Jet we see in "Airport 1975" was leased from American Airlines for the making of the film (you can easily recognize American's red, white, and blue markings). And that plane is still flying today (at least as of October 2005), operating as a freighter for United Parcel Service (with registration number N675UP).
"Airport 1975" Trivia:
A funny gaffe/goof (sort of) .... Why do you suppose it is that all the passengers are forced to use the much more dangerous and risky escape route of the emergency evacuation slide at the end of the movie, but Mr. Heston and Karen Black seem oblivious to any potential danger of the Boeing 747 aircraft bursting into sudden flames, and simply stroll calmly and very slowly down a regular staircase, which was wheeled up to the front of the plane?
You would think that at least the very sick girl (Linda Blair) would have been allowed to exit the plane in a less-jarring, normal fashion (via the air stairs), instead of being shoved down the escape slide. Not to mention the ancient Gloria Swanson. ;)
"Airport '77" gives us another star-laden cast, including Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Lee Grant, Christopher Lee, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, and a very young-looking 22-year-old Kathleen Quinlan. This time 'round, it's again a Boeing 747 that's in trouble, being hijacked by a band of art thieves into the Bermuda Triangle, with disastrous results. The footage of the watery crash of the doomed 747 looks stunningly realistic. Nice job by the special effects' team on this one.
And thank goodness we get the original, uncensored soundtrack for the '77 film on this DVD....as opposed to the re-dubbed audio that was necessary for commercial TV airings of the movie, which featured ludicrous and laughable dubbed-in dialogue to replace the original foul language. Such as Jack Lemmon screaming to a hijacker: "You miserable son-of-a-BULL; I'll take you apart!" .... LOL!
It would have been nice, though, if Universal could have placed on the DVD as a bonus item the additional video segments that were used on the TV version of the '77 movie, which are very rarely seen anymore.
"The Concorde: Airport '79" is the weak link in the "Airport" chain. By far. But it's still good for an (unintentional) laugh or two -- and for George Kennedy's fourth appearance as fiery "Joe Patroni" (this time as a pilot, "Captain Patroni").
An additional (and sorrowful) reason you might want to tune in to the '79 "Airport" offering is the fact that the Concorde we see in the movie is the very same aircraft that crashed tragically in Paris on July 25, 2000. In fact, if you look very closely, you can make out the real-life aircraft registration number (F-BTSC), which was not painted out by the filmmakers.
"Airport" features two different multi-channel 5.1 Surround soundtracks on this DVD (a Dolby Digital track, plus a DTS one). I cannot comment on what the DTS track sounds like (as I don't have a DTS set-up), but the Dolby 5.1 track sounds very good. It's rich with details, with the rousing Alfred Newman music score coming through with flying colors.
The last three movies in the series sport only Mono audio tracks (of the Dolby Digital 2.0 variety). But these all sound quite nice to my ears as well. Each movie also includes three subtitle/caption options (English, Spanish, French).
The 16x9-enhanced Widescreen versions we get in this collection all look mighty fine. I'm especially fond of the picture quality of the original "Airport" film, which is rich with vivid colors (especially in the several scenes which take place in the rather plush-looking "executive offices" on the second floor of "Lincoln International Airport"). Plus, the stewardess' uniforms look bright and colorful as well. (And what's contained inside the uniforms isn't half-bad either.) ;)
We also get each film's original video aspect ratio -- 2.35:1 Widescreen for each of the first three movies; and 1.85:1 Widescreen for "Airport '79".
One thing I did notice regarding aspect ratios (AR): On the first film, the ratio actually changes after the completion of the opening credits. While the titles are being displayed, the AR (on my screen) measures approximately 2.43:1. But when we come upon the first camera cut after the title sequence, the ratio changes to a slightly-less-wide 2.24:1 on my screen (but factoring in overscan, I suppose this would amount to approx. the advertised AR of 2.35:1). If you watch closely, you can definitely see the ratio change on "Airport" at the point I mentioned, with a small (but definitely noticeable) increase in the "height" of the on-screen image.
I also checked a copy of the older GoodTimes version of the film, and this subtle ratio change also takes place on that particular version. Whether the GoodTimes "Airport" print is exactly the same as this newer 2004 Universal release, I cannot really say. But they do look very nearly identical. I noted, too, that the "titles" of each of the chapters for the original "Airport" film are identical on both the GoodTimes release and this Universal DVD. 18 chapters each, with the exact same monikers to describe them. Whether this is a "hint" as to whether it's the same DVD print, I could not say. But, perhaps it is. Universal, I noticed, does not repeat the same GoodTimes descriptions for each chapter on "Airport 1975" (although the number of chapters is exactly the same -- 18). But, obviously, the "1975" Universal transfer has to be "new", considering it's 16x9 enhanced, and the GT version is not.
EXTRAS .... The only DVD bonus features are the Theatrical Trailers, which are included for each of the four films. It's fun seeing the original trailers for these movies, especially the tension-building trailer done for the first film (which runs for almost 3-and-a-half minutes). Interesting, too, is being able to spot some "alternate" takes in some scenes shown in the "Airport" trailer vs. what ended up in the actual film.
PACKAGING .... The "Terminal Pack" comes in a Digipak case, with an attractive (and pretty sturdy) outer slipcase cover, which includes raised lettering for the title (on both the front of the case and one of the spines). The discs are a bit difficult to remove from their individual trays, but they seem to "loosen up" after a few removals, being somewhat easier to extract from the packaging after taking them out multiple times.
A one-sheet paper insert comes with this DVD set, supplying a brief description of all four movies (but no chapter index however). The insert is nicely done, except for one error in the synopsis for "Airport '77", in which it says that Jimmy Stewart's character is among the passengers trapped aboard the ill-fated 747. Jimmy, in fact, was not a passenger on the plane.
The 1-page insert is housed in a nice-looking, photo-laden pocket on the left side of the three-panel Digipak case. I really like the look and feel of this DVD case. Very handsome.
Note about the cover art: Universal decided to make a slight change to the front cover of this boxed set. Originally, there was to be a picture of Jack Lemmon featured on the cover. But, in the final version that was released, Jack's picture is replaced by an image of Karen Black. (I wonder how Karen was able to win out over the bigger star name of Mr. Lemmon. Curious.)
Would you like to see yet another "Airport" sequel? ........
I've talked with some people over the years who have said they'd love to see a new (fifth) installment in the "Airport" movie series. I, myself, wouldn't mind seeing that happen at all, although I seriously doubt that any new installment could top the original 1970 film. But, ya never can tell.
How does this sound for a potential sequel? ---> An "Airport" film that re-creates the near-disastrous horrifying ordeal of a real-life British Airways flight (Flight 009), in which all four engines of a Boeing 747 failed nearly simultaneously while in flight after flying through an unexpected cloud of volcanic ash on June 24, 1982.
The pilots were finally able to figure out what they were up against, and the engines were re-started. But the landing wasn't an easy one, due to the plane's windshield ("windscreen" in aviation parlance) being almost totally covered with ash and soot. All four engines were complete write-offs after the incredible harrowing flight, with massive amounts of ash having been sucked into the running powerplants.
That suspenseful episode in aviation history is written about in riveting detail by aviation author Macarthur Job in Volume #2 of his excellent series of books entitled "Air Disaster". That chapter plays out like an edge-of-your-seat motion picture.
If that British Airways 009 near-catastrophe was ever brought to the big screen, perhaps the pre-release Trailer for the movie would sound something like this:
"Coming Soon from Universal Studios .....
The exciting "Airport" saga continues into the 21st Century, with "AIRPORT 2009: MAYDAY -- ALL ENGINES OUT!" .....
An adventure in heart-stopping suspense and high-flying terror! .....
More thrilling than "Airport"!
More tension-filled than "Airport 1975"!
More realistic than "Airport '77"!
More EVERYTHING than the awful "Airport '79"!! (~LOL!~) .....
Based on the true story of British Airways Flight 009 (known as "Speedbird Nine"), Director James Cameron weaves a tale so frightening, so realistic, and so nail-bitingly suspenseful, it's like no other picture to come before it! .....
Starring: James Woods (as Captain Paul Richardson), George Clooney (as First Officer Jack B. Graves), and Jeff Bridges (as Malcolm Fitzgibbons, Chief of British Airways Maintenance). .....
Gird your loins and tighten your seat belts; and get ready for unparalleled excitement aboard a Jumbo Jet in desperate trouble at 37,000 feet!! .....
It's coming fast!
It's "Airport 2009: Mayday -- All Engines Out!"
Rated PG-13.
Crash-landing soon at a theater near you!!"
-----
Think I should call Universal and pitch them the idea? (Or should I wait until I can get Leo DiCaprio to agree to play the Captain?)
:-)
In conclusion .... Universal Home Video has provided nice, clear anamorphic Widescreen versions of all four "Airport" films here, with pleasing soundtracks, plus the original trailers -- all in one low-priced, space-saving, two-disc DVD package. Hard to gripe about those stats. I recommend the "Airport Terminal Pack" without reservation.
(Review edited on February 12, 2006, to include additional information.)
More Airport Terminal Pack (Airport/Airport '75/Airport '77/Airport '79 - The Concord) reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of Airport Terminal Pack (Airport/Airport '75/Airport '77/Airport '79 - The Concord)
The Academy Award-nominated Airport and the sensational sequels that followed are now together in one high flying collection, the Airport Terminal Pack. Prepare to take off for non-stop thrills and edge-of-your-seat excitement as you fly to extremes with Hollywood?s royal jet set, including: Charlton Heston, Burt Lancaster, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Lee Grant, Jacqueline Bisset, Dean Martin, George Kennedy and many more.Airport
The original airplane disaster movie nominated for ten Academy Awards including Best Picture.
Airport 1975
A mid-air collision leaves a 747 without a pilot and little hope for survival.
Airport ?77
A 747 is trapped underwater in the Bermuda Triangle. It?s a race against time and the elements to save the passengers and crew!
The Concorde: Airport ?79
At twice the speed of sound, the Concorde must evade a vicious attack by a traitorous arms smuggler!
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
VolcanoFox; Release date: 1999-03-09; Published: 1999-03-01; DVD
Best price: $4.60
Price in other shops:
Dante's Peak - Collector's EditionUNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.; Release date: 1998-02-10; Published: 1998-02-01; DVD
Best price: $4.47
Price in other shops:
Airplane! (Don't Call Me Shirley! Edition)BRIDGES,LLOYD; Release date: 2005-12-13; DVD
Best price: $4.96
Price in other shops:
MeteorGenius; Release date: 2009-09-01; DVD
Best price: $2.98
Price in other shops:
The Great Los Angeles EarthquakeRelease date: 2006-04-25; DVD
Best price: $7.29
By Dawn's Early LightHBO Home Video; Release date: 2004-06-01; Published: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $1.75
Price in other shops:
The HindenburgUniversal Studios; Release date: 1975-12-25; DVD
Best price: $7.72
Price in other shops:
The Poseidon Adventure (Special Edition)Twentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2006-05-09; Published: 2006-05-01; DVD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
EarthquakeNBC Universal; Release date: 2006-05-09; DVD
Best price: $8.09
Price in other shops:
The Towering Inferno (Special Edition)TCFHE; Release date: 2006-05-09; Published: 2006-05-01; DVD
Best price: $10.45
Price in other shops: