The Flight of the Phoenix
by Elleston Trevor
Since I absolutely loved the 1965 adventure drama The Flight of the Phoenix, I quickly sought out a copy of the original novel in my local used bookstore. I didn’t know exactly what changes I would find from the Hollywood adaptation, but I was very surprised to discover that the young architect’s character was originally written to be English, not German. The conflict of the story, and the clash between the architect and the pilot, works so much better if the former is German! Also, the pilot doesn’t have nearly as large a role as James Stewart did in the film. Richard Attenborough might have been disappointed, as his part was cut drastically from the novel. The other characters remain relatively unchanged, save a name or occupation change here and there.
This is very much a man’s novel. It’s written in a masculine style with great attention to detail to the mechanics of the airplane. If you think you might be bored by the technicalities, stick with the movie. But if you really want to get immersed in a handful of men with nothing but blueprints, rationed water, and dried dates, while in the middle of the desert, this book will keep you riveted.
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 1965 film adaptation here!
This is very much a man’s novel. It’s written in a masculine style with great attention to detail to the mechanics of the airplane. If you think you might be bored by the technicalities, stick with the movie. But if you really want to get immersed in a handful of men with nothing but blueprints, rationed water, and dried dates, while in the middle of the desert, this book will keep you riveted.
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 1965 film adaptation here!