TWA Flight 800 (film)
| Company type | Documentary film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film, Television |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Kristina Borjesson |
Key people | Kristina Borjesson (writer, director), Tom Stalcup (co-producer, narrator) |
| Products | Documentary film |
TWA Flight 800 is a documentary released in 2013 that examines the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 along with the conspiracy theories surrounding the incident. It disputes the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) finding that a short circuit triggered the fuel tank explosion, proposing instead that the aircraft was brought down by a missile strike. The 90-minute film, written and directed by Kristina Borjesson and co-produced and narrated by Tom Stalcup, debuted on Epix (TV channel) on July 17, 2013.
Stephen Pope of Flying challenged Stalcup’s arguments and disagreed with the documentary’s conclusion, though he acknowledged the film was produced with sincere intent.
Background
Since 1997, Tom Stalcup, a physicist and leader of the Flight 800 Independent Researchers Organization, has promoted alternative explanations for the crash.
Contents
The documentary argues that three proximity fuse missiles destroyed the plane but does not specify who launched them. It emphasizes primary radar data as crucial evidence supporting this viewpoint. The film also alleges discrepancies in CIA videos depicting a shootdown sequence and accuses the FBI of concealing or tampering with crash debris. Much of the narrative centers on eyewitness accounts that support the missile strike theory. Greg Evans of Bloomberg Businessweek remarked that the film does not present opposing perspectives or address how such an extensive cover-up could remain undisclosed for 17 years.
Interview subjects include officials from the NTSB, Trans World Airlines (TWA), and Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA): Hank Hughes, Bob Young, and James Speer. The documentary ends with an extensive list of individuals who declined to participate in interviews, among them former President Bill Clinton as well as personnel from the FBI and NTSB. Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times described this roster as notably extensive.
Reception
Pope contended that the film would have been stronger had it concentrated more on radar data rather than eyewitness testimony, asserting that its conclusions were flawed and that the official NTSB report accurately depicted the events of the flight.
Genzlinger observed that while the documentary maintains a "serious and somber" tone unlike many conspiracy films, its reliance on numerous uncooperative witnesses renders it one-sided.
Verne Gay of Newsday criticized the film for failing to explain how suppressed information remained hidden, citing parallels to the Edward Snowden revelations, and noted it does not clarify what became of missile fragments. He also remarked that the film effectively conveys human emotions such as pain and uncertainty.
Boston University's publication Bostonia noted that the filmmakers intentionally refrained from speculating about the missile’s source, underscoring their dedication to verified facts.
Alex Davies of Business Insider remarked that the documentary lacked sufficient evidence to substantiate its claims.
Greg Evans awarded the film a one-star rating.
See also
External links
- TWA Flight 800 – Epix
- TWA Flight 800 – Epix Press