I enjoyed it immensely, and it good to see the great cast at work especially, C. Aubrey Smith and John Carradine. However, I disagree with many, because I like the 1950s remake (Back from Eternity) just as much.
They're the same film, more or less, but with different strengths. The '39 moves quickly and focuses in on the plot. The '56 version is almost 25 minutes longer (still a short 100) and gives our characters more lines, background and conflict. Certainly, Robert Ryan, Steiger, and Phyllis Kirk make more of an impression than their '39 counterparts.
The '39 passengers and crew are much more elite lot than the '56 bunch for obvious reasons. Airline travel was only for the rich and famous and so everyone is much wealthier (except for Vasquez and his 'Escort'). Lucille Ball's character is somewhat puzzling. In the '56 version Eckberg is more or less forced to go to Brazil, while its never made clear why Lucy in her stunning mink stole is going to Panama City. Other differences, in the '39 version the Steward is a man, the passengers have sleeping compartments, and a radio plays music and news during the flight.
The geography of the '39 version is a little hazy. I'm not clear how they aimed for Panama City but ended up in the Amazon basin, since it would've been out of their range. The '56 version make it more believable, they are actually flying over the Amazon basin on the way to Brazil.
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