Jim Kavanagh

With a much accomplished director, a world-famous star, an interesting subject, and music by Henry Mancini, it's hard to imagine anything could have gone wrong with this film. But something clearly did. It veers from family comedy, to gruesome tragedy, and back again. And also manages to make social commentary on the blood-thirst of the public at-large. And then there is the ridiculous sub-plot with the German flier which leads to the ludicrous ending. Maybe it was studio interference? Perhaps they wrote the script as they went along. The stunt work and flying scenes are fantastic, as is the cinematography in general, which are the reasons to see it.