Concorde Affaire '79

Concorde Affaire '79

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1979
Key people	Ruggero Deodato (director), Ernesto Gastaldi (screenplay), Renzo Genta (screenplay), Luciano Martino (producer), Stelvio Cipriani (music)
Products	Action thriller film

Concorde Affaire '79 (), alternatively titled The Concorde Affair, is a 1979 Italian action thriller film directed by Ruggero Deodato with a screenplay by Ernesto Gastaldi and Renzo Genta. Released concurrently with The Concorde ... Airport '79, and starring Joseph Cotten, known for his role in Airport '77, this movie aimed to leverage the popularity of the 1970s Airport series.

Plot

During a test flight of L.P.A. Flight 820 aboard a Concorde, sabotage causes the plane to crash near Martinique in the Caribbean. The only survivor is Jean Beneyton (Mimsy Farmer), a French flight attendant. After two fishermen rescue her, they are swiftly eliminated by corporate operatives intent on silencing witnesses.

In New York City, investigative journalist Moses Brody (James Franciscus) is tipped off about a significant story by his former wife Nicole. Upon arriving in Martinique, Brody discovers Nicole has died under suspicious conditions. After an assault and subsequent rescue by local fisherman George, Brody uncovers that Nicole was murdered because she possessed knowledge about the nearby Concorde wreckage. Together, they begin probing the incident.

Meanwhile, businessman Milland (Joseph Cotten) and his associate Danker (Edmund Purdom) are scheming to conceal the crash, exposing their direct involvement in the plane’s sabotage.

Brody and George locate the sunken Concorde and detect explosive devices planted to obliterate evidence. During their dive, George sustains an injury requiring Brody to amputate his arm to free him underwater. Once resurfaced, they are ambushed; however, Brody evades capture by submerging himself and commandeering an assailant’s speedboat.

Attempting to prompt an official inquiry, Brody approaches the U.S. Consul in Martinique but encounters reluctance due to political influences tied to Brody’s earlier exposés involving a Congressman. Meanwhile, Milland’s faction detonates charges that destroy the submerged Concorde and holds Jean hostage demanding a $1 million ransom.

A second Concorde flight prepares for departure from Rio de Janeiro bound for London. After overhearing plans to sabotage this flight, Brody rescues Jean from captivity. Although Jean suffers from amnesia caused by trauma, she gradually recalls critical information.

Onboard L.P.A. Flight 128, sabotage unfolds as acid vials concealed in food packages corrode electrical wiring, leading to engine failures. The crew battles power outages and cabin depressurization while air traffic control loses communication.

Back on shore, Brody and Jean evade their pursuers amid a police confrontation resulting in a shootout that eliminates all henchmen. Despite technical difficulties, the Concorde executes a successful emergency landing.

Following these events, Milland offers Brody a questionable contract after media acclaim for his efforts in saving the passengers. Brody declines, hinting at intentions to reveal corporate executives involved in aircraft sales rivalries impacting South American markets targeted by Concorde technology.

The story concludes with Brody investigating major New York-based corporations heavily invested in aviation sales competing against Concorde innovations, highlighting the corporate machinations behind the sabotage.

Cast

• James Franciscus portraying Moses Brody
• Mimsy Farmer in the role of Jean Beneyton
• Van Johnson as Captain Scott
• Joseph Cotten playing Milland
• Venantino Venantini as Forsythe
• Fiamma Maglione appearing as Nicole Brody (credited under the name "Mag Fleming")
• Edmund Purdom cast as Danker
• Francisco Charles in the role of George
• Francesco Carnelutti featured as the co-pilot on the second aircraft
• Ottaviano Dell'Acqua portraying John
• Aldo Barberito as the Priest
• Renzo Marignano in the role of Martinez
• John Stacy playing the American Consul
• Robert Kerman as the air traffic controller