The Night My Number Came Up [DVD]

This is a good film about a plane journey (this isn't a spoiler) where one of the passengers had a dream that the plane they're on crashes. All the details of the journey come true; the number of people on the plane etc... Well directed by Barrie Norman's dad, Leslie.

This psychological suspenser was admired on its release and hasn't lasted the years too badly, even if the climactic flight could have done with fewer stiff-upper-lip histrionics and a bit more oomph. Michael Hordern plays the officer who believes he has foreseen the fatal crash of a flight carrying 13 people; having told several colleagues about it, they board a flight and find his predictions coming true one by one. The picture is one of director Leslie Norman's best, featuring a good cast of British familiars (Michael Redgrave, Denholm Elliott, Victor Maddern, etc.) and fans of 1950s British cinema should certainly be satisfied. The special effects range from good to, er, not very good and neither the plane nor its occupants seem unduly disturbed at times by the turbulence threatening to down it, but all in all, the movie is a satisfying, old-fashioned way to spend an hour and a half. A bit reminiscent of an elongated 'Twilight Zone' actually.

An early outing for director Leslie Norman, father of film critic, Barry Norman. This aviation suspense movie was inspired by a true story. A naval officer has a premonition that a certain plane is going to crash, the prediction also involves a specific number of people being on board, which sets-up a good deal of edge of the seat drama. The events take place in the far-east in the immediate post war years, although in reality the film was made in 1955 by Ealing Studios. Some of the model effects, although good for their day, don't really convince the modern eye. It's also fascinating to observe the contemporary social attitudes on display. The important characters are all Royal Navy or RAF officers, along with colonial administrators. The two ordinary soldiers in the story are working-class, salt of the earth types, who never forget to defer to their betters. A self-made businessman, on an international trade trip is portrayed as: loud, brash and cowardly; not a proper chap! And not someone you want around in an emergency. But thankfully, the stiff up lips save the day.

The way superstition can cripple the mind, even for those of us who claim to be rational, is the subject of this classic film. It's the story of a man (Michael Hordern) at a society dinner party in Hong Kong who is coaxed into revealing the details of a dangerous prophetic dream in which eight persons (most of those listening) take off in a plane from Bangkok bound for Tokyo and how it's to crash in the Japanese mountains.The script by R.C.Sherriff, from an article by Victor Goddard, is balanced and intelligent and the sense of dread is wonderfully conveyed. This film, which was made in 1955, is a tour de force in suspense. It takes its subject of prophetic dreams dead seriously but unlimately it's tongue-in-cheek.The DVD is 'digitally restored' meaning the picture and sound are very good indeed. A absolutely must see!

Cozy wet Sunday afternoon type of film. Good solid British B type movie despite having some stellar film stars of the period, see a very fresh faced Denholm Elliot! Very good quality, both picture and sound. Could watch these types of films all day!

This wonderful black n' white film pulls no punches and will have all of a certain age gripping the arms of your seat in a buttock-clenching white knuckle ride as you are plunged into the terror of premonition made flesh... If you are afraid of flying then this is definately not for you....Long awaited; lovers of 'Dead of Night' will find this classic Britflick too good too miss.If only I could find the british b&w portmanteau film where a man sees a painting in a gallery with a light in the window..now that would be real horrorshow.

I finally found this film, we both thoroughly enjoyed it.

An excellent film and a great cast in this thriller, with supernatural overtones. The theme of mocking the superstitions of others whilst being more affable to the concept when a premonition (dream) involves you, is a very interesting one. The quality of both the picture and the sound is near faultless, and I can think of far worse ways to spend ninety minutes.