Flight of the Phoenix (1965) - Part 2 Quiz

Answer: "Are you trying to be funny?"

This scene highlights a number of recurring themes throughout the film. Towns is an aged, weary pilot who is rather resistant to change. On the one hand he holds out hopes of being rescued, but on the other knows that the chances are slim. Further to that, Dorfmann is German and this is set not long after the end of World War II, suspicions and tensions still ran high.

On yet another hand, Dorfmann prides himself on his practicality and self-belief and does not suffer fools gladly. Whilst the others have been doing nothing much over the 5 days since the crash, Dorfmann has been examining the plane and making detailed notes. Dorfmann's response to the "funny" comment is "That is precisely the reaction I would have expected from a man of your obvious limitations."

Uh oh! Trouble in paradise, the children aren't playing well together!

Author's note: The alternative answer: "I don't know, this whole idea sounds pretty half-baked to me." is taken directly from "The Graduate", in the scene where Ben (Dustin Hoffman) tells his father that he is going to marry Elaine. After pressing Ben for further information, it transpires that Elaine is unaware of Ben's plans. The "half-baked" observation follows from the father.

So - if you got this question wrong using the "half-baked" alternative, congratulations, you may well be the first person in history to have mixed up "The Graduate" with "Flight of the Phoenix"!

Answer: Injured ankle

Watson throws himself through the doorway of the plane when no-one is watching. As people gather round to show concern, Dr Renaud says to him: "It seems there is nothing broken. Perhaps you just sprained it?" Smiling, the doctor then adds: "Sorry, we have no ice."

Captain Harris shows compassion for Watson, declaring him to be on "sick parade", and announces that he will make the trek across the sands on his own.

Answer: Cobb punches Harris.

When Captain Harris announces he is taking the walk alone, Cobb insists on going with him. Harris tells Cobb that he is no condition to undertake such a difficult task, saying "I'm sorry, but I think it's better that you stay here." After a couple of seconds to process the bad news, Cobb flattens Harris with a right hook. During the fight, Watson remains propped against the plane with a slight smirk on his face. (Cobb later takes off on his own to follow Captain Harris - Towns then leaves on his own to rescue Cobb - things are going from bad to worse).

Watson punching Harris? Clearly he wanted to, but that is a court-martial offence, hitting a superior officer. Besides, someone was doing it for him!

Crow punching Dorfmann? Well, he probably wanted to, but at this stage of the movie, he might have had to stand in line. Having said that, there were probably a few people who would have been happy to lay one on Crow!

Gabriele punching Standish? It would have been difficult, given the Gabriele was laid out injured, he could hardly lift his head to drink.

Answer: Choo-choo

Choo-choo is seen sparingly throughout the movie, as is his owner, Carlos. When Carlos elects to go on the trek with Captain Harris, he hands Choo-choo over to Bellamy (George Kennedy). This is one of the few scenes in the movie when Bellamy has any meaningful interaction.

Jub-jub is from "The Simpsons", it is the name of Selma's pet iguana.

Bubbles was Michael Jackson's pet monkey.

Dr Zaius is a character from "Planet of the Apes".

Answer: Dorfmann

Dorfmann eventually replies: "It was me." He goes onto justify his behaviour: "In any case, I didn't steal it. I took it. Because while you people have been sleeping or pursuing your own ridiculous little interests, I have been working. And because I was working harder than you were, I also needed more water than you did. However, it won't happen again, because from now on, we shall all work equally hard."

Clearly Dorfmann had not read Carnegie's "How to win friends and influence people"!

Answer: "Probably some poxed-up old bag from Manchester."

Watson is telling Bellamy and Crow of his plans if they get out and when he gets to Benghazi - he intends to stay and fix himself up "with one of those Arab bints". He goes onto to tell a story of when he was there previously and saw a dancer named Farida. "She did a sort of a dance. You should have seen it. I've woken up a few nights in a cold sweat thinkin' about it, I can tell you."

Crow replies, "Probably some poxed-up old bag from Manchester." Watson walks away glumly.

Answer: To represent a mythical bird that rose from the ashes of its predecessor.

The phoenix is a mythical bird that rose from the ashes of its predecessor. In Greek mythology, the phoenix is stated to be immortal.

Flying too close to the sun and losing one's wings is attributed to Icarus. More Greek mythology. Long story, he was warned but ignored it, flew too high and stuffed up, the sun melted his feathers and down to earth he came with a thud. The motto is clear, listen to advice.

Answer: Dr Renaud

Harris volunteers Sergeant Watson and himself to take a big arc around and approach the Arabs from the other side, so if they were unfriendly, then couldn't be traced back to the plane. (Author's note: everywhere they were walking, they left obvious foot marks in the sand, so why they couldn't be tracked back is beyond me). Anyway, Watson openly rebels, and then refuses to hand over his sidearm.

Renaud then volunteers to go, justifying his request with: "I do speak a little Arabic, do you?" Harris thinks the uniforms may have some influence. I mean, really, two guys suddenly appearing out of nowhere in the desert, seems a tad unusual. Time will tell.

Time did tell. The Arabs had left during the night, after having cut the throats of Harris and Renaud. This leads to the second punch of the movie, when a smirking Watson approaches Towns and says, "He's dead, isn't he?" Whack.

Answer: He designs model planes.

When talking with Moran and Dorfmann, Towns picks up a magazine that Dorfmann has been reading and referring to during the whole movie. It is a catalogue produced by Dorfmann's company. It is full of model planes and Dorfmann speaks proudly how he designed some of them. Still the penny doesn't drop. In the end, Towns asks where the big stuff is. Dorfmann replies that the biggest one they have has a wingspan of about 2 metres.

Towns and Moran finally understand what is going on, and they challenge him over the fact that he only designs model planes. Moran: "You mean you've never designed a full-sized aeroplane?" Dorfmann, "Full-sized? No. Oh, but then of course the principles are the same" he replies.

Towns and Moran wisely agree that they will not tell the other survivors of what they have learned.

Answer: Choo-choo

These humans haven't been much value the last couple of weeks, so Choo-choo's not waiting for them to stagger up this hill. Every monkey for themselves, Choo-choo races to the water! Gradually, the rest of the survivors stagger over the hill and one by one, throw themselves into the oasis, much to the bewilderment of the rig crew, who are convinced that they must be drunk.

Author's note: And with that, the movie ends. No need for long tearful hugs or goodbyes, the story had been told. All of those other things, including the survivors' repatriation to medical care and loved ones can be assumed. Anything post-oasis is superfluous. Current-day Hollywood take note.

Of the original passengers and crew that survived the first crash, 7 did not make it to the oasis. Bill and Tasso were killed when the plane crash landed. Gabriele, who was injured in the crash, later took his own life. Carlos, who went with Harris to try and walk for help - he was never mentioned or seen again, presumed dead. Cobb ran off, without notice, after Carlos and Harris in the desert and was last seen being pecked at by a Vulture (or similar bird). Lastly, Harris and Renaud met their gruesome deaths at the hands of an Arab raiding party.