Supervising Producers Joshua Brand John Falsey
Production Executives Kathleen Kennedy Frank Marshall Produced by David E. Vogel
Developed by Steven Spielberg Joshua Brand John Falsey
Associate Producers Stephen Semel Steve Starky Skip Lusk
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First Season
(1985-1986) Supervising Producers Joshua Brand John Falsey Production Executives Kathleen Kennedy Frank Marshall Produced by David E. Vogel Developed by Steven Spielberg Joshua Brand John Falsey Associate Producers Stephen Semel Steve Starky Skip Lusk |
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The Mission |
Tonight we bring you a special 1 hour episode. This one, directed by the series creator Steven Spielberg takes the air during World War II. Kevin Costner and Keifer Sutherland appear! |
Summary
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The US war plane 'Friendly Persuasion' is on its 23rd and last mission with it's crew. However, the good-luck charm (The belly gunner and cartoonist, Jonathan) has been grounded for this mission at the captain's request. When the replacement arrives, the crew expresses their displeasure long enough until the captain reappoints Jonathan to the position. Rejuvenated, the crew takes off. Soon, the plane is attacked by the enemy. the crew fights valiantly. Jonathan destroys an enemy plane as it threatens, but, a large chunk of the wreckage smashes into the "Friendly Persuasion" and lodges itself just over Jonathans belly turret. The battle is over. The plane drops its payload and returns home with only 2 engines, no landing gear and Jonathan trapped on the bottom of the plane. They attempt to get him out to no avail. In the end, Jonathan draws a cartoon of the plane landing with big clown wheels. He concentrates on the picture and the wheels cross over into reality, allowing the crew to make a safe landing. |
Commentary
| Mister Spielberg helmed this special one-hour episode and his style is written all over it. The cinematography is a gorgeous sepia and the winning score by John Williams is properly heroic. The whole episode is very grand for television including the superstar casting. Even the screenplay is a direct, no-nonsense approach to the situation. However, the magical ending is a major letdown and is totally removed from the earthly tension Spielberg builds up through that point. In fact, one of the attempted solutions to their problem, involving passing an opened parachute through a little window to the belly gunner for him to use after he kicks out of his plexi-glass cockpit would make for a more promising, dare I say 'Amazing' ending. |
How Amazing?
Way, Way Off into the
Wild Blue Yonder
This Episode is
available
on VHS video in the Amazing Store.
A suite of John Wiliams music
for THE MISSION as well as
the main theme is available
on the CD AMAZING STORIES,
order through the Amazing Store
Cast and Crew Information
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starring Kevin Costner
Casey Siemaszko |
See you in 2 days!
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