Cone of Silence

1960

1h 28m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

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Drama

Thriller

A seasoned pilot is condemned for an error which causes a crash. The pilot later dies in a crash with similar circumstances and an examiner looks for scientific reasons for the crashes.

Directors

Charles Frend

Writers

David Beaty(novel by)

Robert Westerby(writer by)

Stars

Michael Craig

Peter Cushing

Bernard Lee

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Top cast

Capt. Hugh Dallas

Capt. Clive Judd

Capt. George Gort

Charlotte Gort

Sir Arnold Hobbes

Capt. Edward Manningham

Capt. Jock Bateson

Capt. Braddock

Nigel Pickering

Joyce Mitchell

Mr. Robinson

First Officer

First Officer

Navigator

Navigator

Steward

Steward

Commissioner

Directors

Charles Frend

Writers

David Beaty(novel by)

Robert Westerby(writer by)

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Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Just as jet engine-powered aircraft were starting to take to the skies, veteran "Capt. Gort" (Bernard Lee) is involved in a near miss trying to take off in his new, state-of-the-art "Phoenix" aircraft. At the subsequent inquiry, he faces thinly veiled criticism from "Sir Arnold" (George Sanders) but is nonetheless cleared to keep flying by his senior colleague "Dallas" (Michael Craig). This earns both of them the chagrin of fellow pilot "Judd" (Peter Cushing) who's convinced of operator error and makes no bones about expressing his suspicions about "Gort" - especially when a landing at Calcutta reveals some foliage in the undercarriage. Thing is, both "Gort" and "Dallas" are convinced they are following the rules, to the letter, so what's wrong? When a tragedy ensues, the most convenient solution would seem to be to simply blame the pilot, but perhaps the foliage might reveal more clues as to what actually went wrong? There's a rather unnecessary romantic sub-plot with Craig and Elizabeth Seal's "Charlotte", but otherwise this is quite tautly directed thriller that uses some decent photography to illustrate the perils of the pilots and the claustrophobia of their tiny cockpits. The setting in India also presents us with an almost palpably hot and humid scenario for these airborne shenanigans. Cushing delivers best, I thought, as the man who comes across as jealous, or concerned, or ambitious or maybe all three? It's a simple story well acted and told and maybe isn't a film to watch if you have the slightest fear of flying (or, indeed, want one!).

Geronimo196708 Dec, 2024