Sully: Miracle on the Hudson with Tom Hanks

The Story of Sully

• Sully hit theaters on November 30, 2016. Sully tells the true story of a plane that made an emergency landing on the Hudson River with no casualties, thanks to the pilot’s composure and experience.
• On January 15, 2009, pilot Chesley Sullenberger, played by Tom Hanks, and his copilot Jeffrey Skyles take off from LaGuardia Airport heading to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Seattle. Just two minutes after takeoff, their Airbus 320 is struck by birds, causing a severe loss of engine power. Chesley Sullenberger attempts to reach Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, but ultimately decides to ditch the plane on the Hudson.
• The aircraft lands without breaking apart, and all 150 passengers and 5 crew members are rescued safely. Director Clint Eastwood’s Sully doesn’t focus only on the dramatic landing itself. He also tells the story of the investigation and the accusations against the pilot. While Chesley Sullenberger is initially hailed as a hero, authorities later challenge his account, claiming the plane had enough power to land normally on a New Jersey runway.

New York in Sully

• An anachronism slipped into the Sully movie poster. Did you spot it? Let me give you a few more seconds before revealing the answer.
• Here it is: US Airways Flight 1549 crashed on January 15, 2009. Yet on the poster, you can see One World Trade Center fully completed, which was far from the case in 2009, as you can see in the photo of New York’s skyline taken in October 2009 below.
• Construction of the tower began in November 2006, and in 2009, work was still on the foundation. The tower reached half its planned height in December 2010 and topped out in May 2012. Clint Eastwood apparently preferred to rewrite history.

What Readers Say

• Denis G.: A great film and another talented performance from Tom Hanks!
• Isa A.: Saw it yesterday and it’s a majestic film. I vaguely remember this event, but Clint Eastwood managed to bring out the human side of this story. I highly recommend it. What this experienced pilot managed to do is surreal, especially when his own administration tried to blame him. Definitely worth watching.
• Damien M.: The film’s central question is whether a return to the airport was possible. Tom Hanks delivers his talent once again in a role that suits him perfectly, keeping you in suspense until the investigation’s conclusion. A must-see!
• Frank L.: Yes, it’s really good. The beginning is a bit chaotic, but the film builds momentum. When you think about what the passengers went through, it’s just incredible.
• Delphine W.-T.: Worth watching! It’s well directed. Tom Hanks is perfect.
• André F.: Clint Eastwood at the height of his craft. Tom Hanks perfect as Sully. Don’t hesitate to watch it.
• Finally, I love David‘s comment saying the film is “A must-see between flights.”

Reviews from our CNEWYORK Facebook page.