The Ghost of Flight 401 (1978)

Great Film overall

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Based on a true story, about the ghost of an airplane disaster.I just bumped into this movie on YouTube thinking I was getting one of those 1970s airplane disaster movies, I got a totally different sort of disaster movie: one said to be based on fact!I have not done the required research on this story to state if I think the whole event is real or not. But, I must admit, it strikes me as a bit strange that I am finding out about this "famous story" now in 2016. I am a middle aged man who usually knows about these sort of strange events in the USA. Yes, I know the airline involved kept a lid on it, but still, why did it take nearly 40 years for me to find out about this "famous story"??I am not sure why Ernest Borgnine was cast in this film? Maybe he looks like the the real guy this happened to? If so, that is a good reason for casting him in the role. The problem I find is that he is such a big Hollywood name, sometimes a comical name, and seeing him pop in and out of the movie like Barbera Eden in I Dream Of Jeannie takes from the dramatic impact we are meant to feel.But all in all, The Ghost Of Flight 401 is great to see on YouTube...I hope they don't take it down.

I remember seeing this movie as a teenager and I was riveted. It's based on a true story, and Ernest Borgnine plays Dom Cimoli, the flight engineer who, in the movie, went into the cargo hold to inspect the landing gear and put it down by hand if needed. The best part was the odd appearances of his ghost in other planes, which the other characters find out have parts salvaged from flight 401. Even his wife, we eventually learn, feels his presence in the bed beside her at night. It's as if he's making sure he keeps taking care of his family and continues his devotion to the airline he loved. As usual, a typically good Borgnine plays even a ghost and makes you like him.

I have not seen this movie in ages but continually search for it's availability. After reading some previous comments I felt compelled to add my 2 cents. My dad was a captain with EAL (for 36 years) during this incident and also flew the 1011. I was in 8th grade at the time and was extremely fascinated with the whole experience. I still am and have the copy from EAL's Falcon issue containing the initial report. Our family was huddled around the t.v. when this movie aired. We also saw the "Crash of flight 401", which oddly enough I have been able to find a copy of on VHS. We always felt the "Ghost" was the real meat of the story and what took this beyond your average tragic crash. My dad had to admit that many of the claims and events were truthful, but we could never get him to admit that he believed the ghost aspect could be reality. He did however have to deal with the claims and fears of crew members/stewardesses. I recall many instances he sighted which showed an overall uneasiness (amongst passengers and crew members) for quite a time to come. I would really love to see this movie reprinted.

I give "The Ghost Of Flight 401" (Based on the book by John Fuller) a 10-star rating based on hearing these stories first-hand. Having been a Flight Attendant with Eastern Air Lines for well over seven years (1980 to early 1988), I can state with confidence that this Emmy Nominated, Made-For-TV Movie (1978) gives an accurate portrayal of these fateful events -- not to mention those who experienced the situation first-hand.The sets are excellent. I liked working on the L-1011 for the lower-galley, which is accurately portrayed (set-wise) in the film. The aircraft cabin is equally impressive. Everything for which an experienced crew member can find fault in the usual "airplane" movie is covered here with accuracy and attention to detail. Other sets include the homes of employees, not to mention the offices of our once-beloved Eastern Air Lines. Although not a carbon copy of our Corporate Offices, the sets provide a believable backdrop to both story line and characters alike.As for Character Depth, the actors portray those involved with a genuine sense of suspense, worry and concern for what is happening to them. This is refreshing, seeing as another TV Movie based on these events proved to be nothing short of a prime time Soap Opera. In "The Ghost Of Flight 401," you feel what the characters feel. It is a realistic portrayal of the fear and fascination these people experienced in dealing with said events.No spoilers here...you have to see this one for yourself. Very well done from the aspect of one who flew with and heard stories from those who experienced these events first-hand. Fantastic as the events may seem, it was real to the actual people involved. Well produced, the film takes you along for the ride. One thing is for sure: "The Ghost Of Flight 401" will definitely have you on the edge of your seat. Much like the book -- a real page-turner -- you can't help but wonder what will happen next.Great entertainment all the way around the board.