A flight is half-way between Lisbon and New York, over the Atlantic Ocean. Two of the engines fail suddenly and now the tough Captain Williams (Gary Merrill) has to decide whether to ditch in the drink or try and make land. Williams has a very low threshold for failure, as we see in a flashback with his wife (Nancy Reagan) and son. However, as the adventure unfolds Williams learns how to be a human, be a better father and save everyone onboard. Give that man a payrise!
The rest of the crew and passengers are the usual collection of stereotypes, some of whom also have their happy redemption stories. Though the cliches are sometimes not fully developed.
The film is fine enough, if rather slow at times and static. However, the overall story and effect are worth staying around for.
