Free Fall (1999 film)

Plot

After Trans Regional Airlines is hit by a series of mysterious aircraft crashes, National Transportation Safety Board safety expert Renee Brennan (Jaclyn Smith) calls for the grounding of the airline's aircraft, despite opposition from the CEO of the airline, Richard Pierce (Chad Everett). Her plans are thwarted by current boyfriend Mark Ettinger (Bruce Boxleitner), a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who repeatedly countermands her orders. At the latest crash scene, Renee receives a call from a "fan" who appreciates her work and asks if she appreciates his. She then realizes that the crashes are the work of a madman.

After Mark is himself killed in a crash, Renee and FBI agent Scott Wallace (Scott Wentworth) track down the saboteur, Michael Ives (Hannes Jaenicke), a former pilot seeking revenge against the airline. The pair are themselves caught in a trap the killer set for them at 33,000 feet.

Production

Free Fall was filmed by Falling Productions Inc on locations in Toronto, Ontario, at Toronto Pearson International Airport’s old Terminal 1 and in Uxbridge, Ontario. The use of stock footage of airliners is evident. The crash scenes including the first crash is edited from Fearless (1993), while scenes from Miracle Landing (1990) are also used. The primary aircraft flown by "Trans Regional Airlines" is an Airbus A320, although the shots of cockpits and interiors are from other aircraft. Other aircraft that are seen include a Learjet 35, Boeing 737 and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.

The film was distributed by Fox Family Channel and first released in the US on January 17, 1999, with 1999 releases in Italy as Freefall - Panico ad alta quota and in Germany as Angst über den Wolken. The film had its video premiere in Spain in 2000, followed by video releases in France as Crashs en série, Germany as Freefall: Todesflug 1301, Japan, and New Zealand. It had its television premiere in Sweden on February 19, 2007.

Reception

Free Fall was considered a typical "made-for-television" production, and received decidedly mixed reviews. Film reviewer Hal Erickson simply called the film, "Made for cable." Film reviewer Sergio Ortego said Free Fall "deserves no more than 3 out of 10." He further commented: "This film was indeed very poorly made ... a complete flop, with ridiculous special effects, bad acting, terrible one-liner dialogs, and nearly impossible plotlines, or shall I say, plotholes."