Lost Flight

Lost Flight

Year: 1970

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: English

Director: Leonard Horn

DramaTV MovieAction

After their plane crashes on a remote jungle island, the captain finds himself forced to lead the surviving crew and passengers. As they battle the elements and scarce resources, a fierce power struggle erupts among the group, turning the situation into an adult‑styled “Lord of the Flies.”

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Lost Flight (1970)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Lost Flight (1970). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1960s

The events unfold during the Vietnam era, reflected in Merle Barnaby's return from combat. The crisis on the island occurs at a time when rescue efforts are suspended and the outside world feels distant. This period underscores social tensions, authority questions, and the urgency of human bonds under pressure.

Location

South Pacific island

A rugged, uninhabited South Pacific island serves as the crash site. Dense jungle, a waterfall, and a jagged coastline become the setting where survivors shelter and scavenge for resources. The island's isolation amplifies the tension among passengers and crew as they contend with dwindling supplies and the dangers of the wild.

🏝 Island 🌀 Storm 🧭 Survival

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:47

Main Characters – Lost Flight (1970)

Meet the key characters of Lost Flight (1970), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Captain Steve Bannerman (Lloyd Bridges)

The determined and capable captain who tries to maintain order and safety after the crash. He must manage conflicting interests, resist unsafe plans, and mediate between frightened civilians and crew. His leadership is tested as loyalties shift and the risk of violence grows.

💼 Leadership 🧭 Authority 🌀 Crisis

Merle Barnaby (Billy Dee Williams)

A seasoned marine returning from combat who becomes a pivotal ally to Bannerman. He demonstrates courage and practical skill but also becomes a target of mob mentality and racial prejudice. His fate highlights the peril of group hysteria and the cost of leadership decisions.

💪 Strength 🧭 Loyalty ✊ Standing up

Gina Talbott (Anne Francis)

A calm, resourceful survivor who provides balance and negotiates authority on the island. She helps stabilize the group and plays a key role in exposing the truth about the assault on Beejay. Her presence anchors a humane response to crisis.

🤝 Mediation 🧭 Stabilizer 🗝️ Truth

Beejay Caldwell (Jennifer Leak)

A survivor who endures danger and manipulation, including an assault by Jonesy and the ensuing blame. She survives the cliff incident and becomes crucial in identifying the assailant, catalyzing the shift toward accountability.

💃 Survivor 🫧 Vulnerability 🧭 Catalyst

Glenn Walkup (Ralph Meeker)

An oil magnate whose wealth and ambition fuel tension and aggression. His push for a risky raft plan is met with Bannerman's rejection and violence, illustrating how power can destabilize survival efforts.

💼 Power 💰 Wealth 🗡️ Conflict

Jonesy (Andrew Prine)

A troublemaker who accuses Barnaby and fires a chain of events that intensify the mob mentality. His actions threaten the fragile order and reveal how individuals can manipulate fear for personal gain.

🗡️ Aggression 🧩 Manipulation 👤 Accusation

Eddie Randolph (Bobby Van)

A flamboyant nightclub performer whose impulsive choices contribute to the group's strain. He is part of the raft plan and embodies the impulsive risks that survivors take under pressure.

🎭 Entourage 🌀 Impulsiveness 🛶 Risk

Charlie Burnett (Michael-James Wixted)

A 10-year-old with acute appendicitis, whose medical needs add emotional weight and urgency to the survivors' decisions. His presence highlights the human stakes amid survival and upheaval.

👶 Child ❤️ Human stakes 🩺 Medical

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:47

Major Themes – Lost Flight (1970)

Explore the central themes of Lost Flight (1970), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Leadership

Captain Bannerman must steer a diverse group through crisis, balancing safety, morale, and practical decisions. His choices determine whether the survivors form a cohesive unit or descend into chaos. The film continually tests who earns trust when traditional authority is compromised.

✊ Racism

Merle Barnaby, a Black marine, embodies strength and competence but also faces suspicion and prejudice from others, highlighting how race shapes interactions under stress. Power plays and mob mentality threaten fair treatment and due process. The island crisis becomes a stage where racial tensions surface and are confronted.

🌿 Survival

Survival hinges on resourcefulness, cooperation, and making hard moral choices. The group negotiates shelter, safety, medical needs, and the fate of a key witness in Beejay. The ultimate act of unity comes as they build a new social order amid danger and scarcity.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:47

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Unlock the Full Story of Lost Flight

Don't stop at just watching — explore Lost Flight in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Lost Flight is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Lost Flight Summary

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Lost Flight Summary

Lost Flight Timeline

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Lost Flight Timeline

More About Lost Flight

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