Unlike lots of other films shown on the recently opened 'Moving Pictures' T.V. channel I had never heard of this film so it was fresh to me. The connection to the Comet Airliner trouble was apparent so this film made so soon after the events must have had some impact.

The cast was typical British 50/60's regulars and Bernard lee played the main character with restraint. I was surprised when Peter Cushing popped up sometime later as a unsympathetic character.

The plot Basically revolved around the stitch up of senior Pilot, Capt. Gort played by Mr Lee for a fatal crash in a new Jet airliner, with the airline and plane makers unwilling to admit a fault with either the aircraft or its correct operation. Despite being found responsible for the crash and calls for only young hotshot pilots to be let loose on the new jet, Gort defies the ageism and passes all flight tests he's asked to perform. These tests are carried out by the much younger Capt. Dallas played by Micheal Craig, who initially is doubtful of Gort's ability but is soon persuaded of Gort's Skill.

Dallas also takes an immediate shine to Gorts young and attractive daughter played by Elizabeth Seal. All goes well until Gort crashes another jet this time killing himself, in similar conditions to the first crash. Miss Gort and Capt. Dallas then team up to exonerate the late Capt. Gort,and reveal other near misses by other crews. Armed this with this they persuade the designer to modify the operating instructions and narrowly prevent another disaster. Having established the real cause Capt. Gort is absolved of blame, albeit too late for him.

It was good to see an almost unknown aircraft the Avro Ashton in some detail. I had only ever seen the 4 engine version on old newsreel, but was unaware it had been used as a test bed for an engine manufacturer having 2 extra Bristol Olympus fitted. Its ironic that the Aircraft in the film plot suffered from lack of power but would actually have had vast amounts of power with 4 RR Nene and 2 Bristol Olympus and should have gone like a rocket!