Air Crew

Air Crew

Year: 1980

Runtime: 144 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Aleksandr Mitta

DramaAction

Story of the lives of three Soviet pilots who are united by disaster in a small town in the mountains.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Air Crew (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Air Crew (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Bidri, Moscow

Bidri is a remote mountain town in a fictional Asian region where the emergency crisis begins after an earthquake destroys the city and damages the runway. The town is depicted with rugged terrain and a looming mudflow that threatens survival. Moscow appears later as the destination the crew aims to reach in order to bring the passengers to safety.

🏔️ Mountain town 🗺️ Foreign locale ✈️ Aviation setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:39

Main Characters – Air Crew (1980)

Meet the key characters of Air Crew (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Andrei Timchenko, Captain (Georgi Zhzhyonov)

A seasoned and composed captain who leads the crew through the crisis with a steady, rule-based approach complemented by momentary improvisation. His past experiences shape a calm authority and a sense of responsibility for every life on board.

🧭 Leader 🛩️ Pilot 🧰 Responsibility

Valentin Nenarokov, Co-pilot (Anatoli Vasilyev)

A talented co-pilot with a complex personal life, whose flair for invention and skepticism about family life creates tension in the cockpit. He displays sharp technical skill, but his personal inclinations influence how he handles stress during the emergency.

🧭 Co-pilot 🧰 Technician 💼 Professional

Igor Skvortsov, Flight Engineer (Leonid Filatov)

The resourceful flight engineer who keeps systems running under extreme strain. He remains practical and dependable, stepping in to repair critical damage and support the crew when fear rises among passengers.

🧰 Engineer 🛠️ Problem-solver

Tamara, Flight Attendant (Aleksandra Yakovleva-Aasmyae)

A calm and capable flight attendant who helps manage passenger anxiety and maintain routine service during the crisis. Her presence provides stability and reassurance amid the danger.

🎗️ Support 🧭 Comfort

Timchenko's Wife (Yekaterina Vasilyeva)

The wife of Andrei Timchenko, who senses her husband’s unhappiness and embodies the personal strain that accompanies lifelong devotion to a demanding career. Her perspective adds emotional complexity to the pilot’s character arc.

💔 Spouse 👩‍👧 Family

Passenger with Dislocated Jaw (Aleksandr Pashutin)

A passenger whose visible injury during the event underscores the physical dangers faced on board. His condition heightens the urgency and tension as the crew continues the emergency response.

🧳 Passenger 🩺 Injury

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:39

Major Themes – Air Crew (1980)

Explore the central themes of Air Crew (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Duty under Pressure

The crew must balance strict aviation protocols with real-time improvisation as the situation deteriorates. Leadership under stress is tested when decisions can mean life or death for everyone on board. The captain’s calm guidance helps the crew coordinate repairs and maintain order amid chaos.

💔 Family vs Career

The film contrasts professional duty with personal life, showing how the captains’ home lives affect their focus and decisions. The captain’s strained family situation and the other pilot’s disregard for family highlight different motivations under pressure. This tension adds emotional weight to the crisis.

🚨 Crisis and Survival

An earthquake cripples the foreign town's runway, forcing an unconventional takeoff to escape the advancing mudflow. Sacrifices are made as crew members repair critical parts mid-flight, risking their safety to save those on board. The emergency landing in Moscow becomes the ultimate test of skill, teamwork, and resolve.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:39

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Air Crew Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Air Crew, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Air Crew Summary

Air Crew Timeline

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Air Crew Timeline

More About Air Crew

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Air Crew (1980) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Air Crew (1980) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Air Crew (1980) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow