A decent movie that has all the charm of a soft Irish day. The young lad steals the show, although he was ably supported by two future Oscar nominee's. Kerry is brilliant, no surprise there, and a decade or so on from the making of this movie she would appear opposite Colin Farrell in Banshees, and for my tuppence worth, she should have walked away with the Oscar. Having lived through the events that the movie is based on, the truth is stretched to some degree, but nothing that distracts from the story that unfolds. Jenny the donkey was probably still in acting school when the movie was made, which would explain her absence. All in all, not bad.
9 Reviews
Typical Irish whimsy
david_kravitz9 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this film in Tel Aviv as the opener to the 2011 annual Israel-Irish film week. Only the Irish seem to be able to able to produce this type of film, or fillum as the Irish say, and there is a long line over the years. This one is based on a true story and is set in the 1980's. A nine year old boy, Paco, sees a plane come down in forest land near his home in a small village in County Cork in southern Ireland. The pilot, who speaks only Spanish, it later turns out he is Colombian, follows the boy home and hides under his bed. The boy is learning Spanish, his absentee father is a Spaniard, but not enough for him or the pilot to really understand what each one is saying to the other.
When the plane and the pilot are discovered by the town-folk and following a hilarious meeting "interpreted" by the boy, the local councillor and the men of the town agree to rebuild the plane so that Ernesto can fly off. How they achieve this is the central part of the story and the incident involving a bull is very funny. They need to acquire 1400 gallons of aviation fuel and enlist terrorists to provide it. The ground the plane came down in is too soft and they need to build the runway of the title. (How much tarmac did that need from the "cowboys" who provide it). Each of these story lines is a gem.
I will not reveal anything of the ending beyond revealing how this nine-year old uses newly taught skills to drive a van but Ernesto being Colombian, you know where the story is going.The story is totally improbable but, apparently, the runway still exists to this day and is used for various events.
I don't suppose this film will get the wide audience it deserves but if it comes to a screen near you, or is released on DVD, or is shown on TV, you will be richly entertained for 101 minutes that simply fly by. A wonderful cast of mainly Irish actors deliver great performances, as does Mexican Demián Bichir as the pilot. The musical soundtrack delivered by a local radio DJ adds to the joy of this film.
See it, enjoy it.
When the plane and the pilot are discovered by the town-folk and following a hilarious meeting "interpreted" by the boy, the local councillor and the men of the town agree to rebuild the plane so that Ernesto can fly off. How they achieve this is the central part of the story and the incident involving a bull is very funny. They need to acquire 1400 gallons of aviation fuel and enlist terrorists to provide it. The ground the plane came down in is too soft and they need to build the runway of the title. (How much tarmac did that need from the "cowboys" who provide it). Each of these story lines is a gem.
I will not reveal anything of the ending beyond revealing how this nine-year old uses newly taught skills to drive a van but Ernesto being Colombian, you know where the story is going.The story is totally improbable but, apparently, the runway still exists to this day and is used for various events.
I don't suppose this film will get the wide audience it deserves but if it comes to a screen near you, or is released on DVD, or is shown on TV, you will be richly entertained for 101 minutes that simply fly by. A wonderful cast of mainly Irish actors deliver great performances, as does Mexican Demián Bichir as the pilot. The musical soundtrack delivered by a local radio DJ adds to the joy of this film.
See it, enjoy it.
Fabulously Weird
hewilson2-72-7968684 August 2014
As improbable, unlikely, ridiculous and strange as the basic premise of this movie is, the film nonetheless very much succeeds. In modern times, a plane crash in rural Ireland discovered only by a wee lad leads an entire town into a fit of what can only be described as insanity. But with unemployment high and skilled men and women with time on their hands, who knows what might happen when a handsome stranger lands in town. It is quirky,funny and uplifting with well drawn characters and an excellent cast. As an Indie author myself, with aspirations of my book some day made into film, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Watch and enjoy. OK for all ages in my estimation.
The true Story behind this movie
ro_mafud21 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is based on the story of Mexican Cap. Ruben Ocaña, retired AMX pilot who was flying a Gulsftream II for Mexican Businessman Emilio Azcarraga. On their way from Newark to Shannon, they ran low on fuel and weather didn't allow for a landing neither at Shannon nor the alternate, Cork, so he made a precautionary landing in Mallow RaceCourse, from which they took off the airplane again (mostly undamaged) 5 weeks later after the construction of the runway. You can read the story here:
http://www.flyinginireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=259&start=0
And check this post in a Mexican aviation forum where you can find original images from Cap. Ocaña himself (It's in Spanish, sorry)
http://www.fsmex.com/foros/showthread.php?t=8310&highlight=ocana
http://www.flyinginireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=259&start=0
And check this post in a Mexican aviation forum where you can find original images from Cap. Ocaña himself (It's in Spanish, sorry)
http://www.fsmex.com/foros/showthread.php?t=8310&highlight=ocana
it was a good film
jojimmyjames18 February 2011
The Runway is an exceptionally good movie. There was a few parts that were a little boring put in the end it was fantastic all i could say was amazing!. A few people including me were invited by Jamie Kierans(Paco), to the premiere in cork city and it was amazing. The theater was packed and there were loads of people in the end saying what an amazing film it was. But out of some of them there were a few who didn't like it. I would have to say in the end I would rate this film 5 star because the storyline was good and the acting was amazing.I would have to say this film is most suggested to 12s and over. The acting was amazing especially by Jamie Kierans(Paco), the Culmbian pilot and all the rest were amazing!
Quirky touch of the Irish
p.newhouse@talk21.com26 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of those nice surprises that European countries are very good at, and it beautifully demonstrates the reason for state film boards and European co-productions. If this had come through the studio system, it would have a glossy sheen and a sickening dollop of schmaltz. Fortunately it didn't. It is therefore able to be both charming and gritty, as well as touching and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. The acting is skilfully crafted, with much of the communication achieved without the benefit of words.
There are three lead roles, Demian Bichir as the pilot, Jamie Kierans as Paco (yes, an Irish boy called Paco!), and Kerry Condon as Grace. Demian Bichir is seedy yet approachable as the pilot, Kerry Condon, as ever, becomes the character of Grace, and Jamie Kierans, in his film debut, is unbelievably natural as her slightly insane nine-year-old son Paco.
With these three in the lead, the Director has none the less managed to keep the other characters vibrant and interesting, using skillful brush strokes to delineate the characters and beautifully orchestrated and executed camera work to capture the individuality and humanity of all the characters.
The film was perfectly cast, and well executed. It might, however, put you off ever riding trains in Ireland!
There are three lead roles, Demian Bichir as the pilot, Jamie Kierans as Paco (yes, an Irish boy called Paco!), and Kerry Condon as Grace. Demian Bichir is seedy yet approachable as the pilot, Kerry Condon, as ever, becomes the character of Grace, and Jamie Kierans, in his film debut, is unbelievably natural as her slightly insane nine-year-old son Paco.
With these three in the lead, the Director has none the less managed to keep the other characters vibrant and interesting, using skillful brush strokes to delineate the characters and beautifully orchestrated and executed camera work to capture the individuality and humanity of all the characters.
The film was perfectly cast, and well executed. It might, however, put you off ever riding trains in Ireland!
Incredibly sweet film with a lot of Irish charm
maccas-5636713 March 2021
An incredibly sweet film that made me smile and laugh numerous times.
The true story factor definitely added an extra layer of interest to this Irish film. A small town bands together to repair a downed plane and build a runway for a South American pilot who crashed-landed there.
This almost felt like a foreign language film, such was the sheer amount of Spanish spoken, alongside the subtitles-needed Irish accents.
It has a great vibe and a big heart, and reminded me a lot of our own quirky small-town comedies here in Australia. While made in 2010, it could have easily been a film of the 80s or 90s.
The soundtrack is used well and it features some beautiful scenery to boot. Early aspects of the film reminded me a little of ET.
The characters are memorable - Paco, Frogs, Ernesto. There are some great actors at work here too, with James Cosmo doing a good job, alongside Demián Bichir and the young Jamie Kierans. I officially have a crush on Kerry Condon now also.
Recommend if you're after a hidden gem, a little film with a big heart or some Irish laughter.
The true story factor definitely added an extra layer of interest to this Irish film. A small town bands together to repair a downed plane and build a runway for a South American pilot who crashed-landed there.
This almost felt like a foreign language film, such was the sheer amount of Spanish spoken, alongside the subtitles-needed Irish accents.
It has a great vibe and a big heart, and reminded me a lot of our own quirky small-town comedies here in Australia. While made in 2010, it could have easily been a film of the 80s or 90s.
The soundtrack is used well and it features some beautiful scenery to boot. Early aspects of the film reminded me a little of ET.
The characters are memorable - Paco, Frogs, Ernesto. There are some great actors at work here too, with James Cosmo doing a good job, alongside Demián Bichir and the young Jamie Kierans. I officially have a crush on Kerry Condon now also.
Recommend if you're after a hidden gem, a little film with a big heart or some Irish laughter.
A Great Feel-Good Film
lillightjc-8550014 October 2020
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