Air New Zealand Flight 901 - Aircrash Disaster ...?

Question

For those of you that are .. ahem 'older' you would remember the plane crash on the side of Mount Erebus, Antarctica.

(for refresh of memory, see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_Zealand_disasters_by_death_toll )

Does anyone know if a movie was made from this disaster ?

Answer 1

Television New Zealand made a docudrama of this, I don't recall the title but Ian Mune starred as Morrie Davies...

Answer 2

No there has never been a film made about it and yes I remember it well. Those killed in the crash were not the only victims. The pilot, Collins, was a victim of Air New Zealand's cover-up. Judge Mahon was a victim because he stood up to them.

I used to have the book that was published about it (perhaps there was more than one?) and I learnt a loteven more about it when my daughter (a-hem = mostly her mother) did a school project on it.

Answer 3

There were two documentaries made of the enquiry.

One was a brief 30 minute programme made by TVNZ for the mass market. The other was made by the National Film Unit and is a far superior portrayal of the Court of Enquiry's proceedings.

The camera tended to dwell what some may think of as 'overly long' on those giving evidence. For those that are aware of body language, it soon became very apparent as to who was or was not telling the truth.

Justice Mahon came up with the phrase in his findings - "an orchestrated litany of lies" He was justifiably correct if the body language of those giving evidence on behalf or Air New Zealand is taken into account. And he saw it all, and this film picks up some of it..

I'm sorry, but I don't remember the title of either documentary, but make enquiries with the National Film Archive and TVNZ.

Don't forget though, that I don't think too much notice should be taken of the TVNZ one.