Atmospheric supernatural thriller suffers from laborious pacing and a distinct lack of shock value, as a commercial airline captain mysteriously walks from the burning wreckage of his plane without so much as a scratch baffling investigators who begin to suspect a conspiracy. Powell is suitably weighed with survivor guilt, leading him into the world of a local clairvoyant (Agutter) in his quest for answers.
Heading the local cast is the ever reliable Sumner as Powell's friend at the air safety authority, with Wright playing a local photographer who initially cashes-in on the disaster until haunting apparitions begin to appear. Hollywood heavyweight Cotten co-stars in his final film role as a priest who believes there's more than meets the eye and tries to help Powell with his quest to reconcile the bizarre events.
Detailed, technically polished production directed by Hemmings boasts a quality cast and an intriguing premise but despite the supernatural elements, it doesn't quite reach its gothic potential. I read that the lack of gore was a conscious decision and this is a fatal misstep in my opinion, rendering the film overly ponderous, talky and ultimately tedious. Overall it's a watchable and engaging plot, though disappointingly dull in its execution.
Heading the local cast is the ever reliable Sumner as Powell's friend at the air safety authority, with Wright playing a local photographer who initially cashes-in on the disaster until haunting apparitions begin to appear. Hollywood heavyweight Cotten co-stars in his final film role as a priest who believes there's more than meets the eye and tries to help Powell with his quest to reconcile the bizarre events.
Detailed, technically polished production directed by Hemmings boasts a quality cast and an intriguing premise but despite the supernatural elements, it doesn't quite reach its gothic potential. I read that the lack of gore was a conscious decision and this is a fatal misstep in my opinion, rendering the film overly ponderous, talky and ultimately tedious. Overall it's a watchable and engaging plot, though disappointingly dull in its execution.