The Night My Number Came Up (DVD)

Reviews

"The Night My Number Came Up" by Micky B - 13 June 2014

For my money, this has got to be the <i>best</i> airplane thriller-drama yet made! Filmed by J Arthur Rank's Ealing Studios in black-and-white: the opening credit titles are preceeded by the words: “8 PASSENGERS; 5 CREW = 13!” over which the credits begin to flow. The story then starts at a VIP dinner party in Hong Kong, at which Air Commander Lindsay (Michael Hordern) light-heartedly mentions a strange but vivid dream he had had the previous night. While not on board himself, he describes witnessing an air flight in detail; including the description of the aircraft; the number and features of some of the passengers...and the fact that the dream ended with the plane's crashing into a mountain,near a small Japanese fishing village! Most of those present in the room take the whole thing with a pinch of salt. However, others are quite disturbed by it – including one man who has never flown before! The following day, many of the dinner guests are due to fly to Tokyo. Their flight is completely different from the one mentioned in the dream. However, various last-minute situations cause the scenario to change frighteningly , piece by piece...as the dream becomes more and more of a reality! Sir Michael Redgrave heads up the cast, together with Sheila Sims, Denholm Elliot, Alexander Knox, and Michael Hordern – with a small guest appearance by Bill Kerr and Alfie Bass: as soldiers who are simply trying to get back to their base before their leave-passes expire. This film is not simply recommended. Rather, it is an imperative “MUST-SEE” by anyone who enjoys a really good movie!