Movie Critic A.O. Scott from The New York Times described “Charlie Victor Romeo” (2013) as “one of the most terrifying movies I have ever seen.” Despite this chilling description, the film is not a conventional horror movie involving supernatural elements or murderers. Instead, “Charlie Victor Romeo” delves into the real and equally frightening subject of plane crashes.
While plane crashes are a common theme in film and television, “Charlie Victor Romeo” takes a unique approach to its storytelling. Rather than inventing fictional plane incidents, the film draws its narratives directly from the cockpit voice recorders, also known as “black boxes,” of six actual doomed flights. The title “Charlie Victor Romeo” is derived from the NATO alphabet, used by professional pilots when communicating with the ground. This experimental film blends elements of documentary, stage performance, and 3D filmmaking technology to provide viewers with a realistic insight into how pilots handle mid-flight crises and the critical decisions they must make to save themselves and their passengers.
Originally a stage play created by Robert Berger, Patrick Daniels, and Irving Gregory of the theater company Collective: Unconscious in New York City, “CVR” explores six crashes that occurred between 1985 and 1995. The play’s dialogue is taken almost verbatim from the cockpit voice recordings of these tragic flights, highlighting the intense situations faced by the pilots.
The film adaptation of “CVR” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013 and later screened at the American Film Institute (AFI) Fest in Los Angeles. The directors maintained the dark lighting and minimalist set design of the play, using 3D Stereoscopic cameras to enhance the cinematic experience. Despite the potential for sensationalism, the film’s focus on human behavior and the anticipation of the inevitable plane crashes create a tense and foreboding atmosphere.
One notable aspect of both the play and the film is the rotating cast of actors playing the pilots from all six flights, including the directors themselves. This repetition of faces in the cockpit adds an eerie touch, almost as if the pilots are returning from the dead. Although the actors may not always match the ethnicity or gender of the real crews, their authenticity in portraying the stressful situations is well-received within the aviation community.
Despite the dark subject matter, reviews of “Charlie Victor Romeo” suggest a strangely calming and uplifting effect on viewers. The film’s depiction of the banality of air travel and the systemic improvements in aviation safety following these tragic events instills a sense of unexpected optimism. The filmmakers aim to evoke empathy towards the courageous pilots and highlight the human effort and determination involved in crisis situations.
Overall, “Charlie Victor Romeo” offers a unique and compelling exploration of real-life plane crashes, expertly blending documentary footage, theatrical performances, and cutting-edge technology. The film serves as a tribute to the pilots who faced unimaginable challenges and a reminder of the ongoing commitment to aviation safety.