Race for the Yankee Zephyr
Finding it after four decades is quite a challenge…. but holding onto it is really an adventure!
1981 | 108m | English
Popularity: 4 (history)
| Director: | David Hemmings |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Everett De Roche |
| Staring: |
| In a lake high in the mountains of New Zealand hunter Gibbie Gibson discovers a plane wreck from WW2. When he tells it around, a gang of crooks follows and threatens him and his daughter, because they know there are 50 million dollars in the wreck. Helicopter pilot Barney helps Gibbie against them, risking his life thereby. | |
| Release Date: | Nov 28, 1981 |
|---|---|
| Director: | David Hemmings |
| Writer: | Everett De Roche |
| Genres: | Adventure, Action |
| Keywords | new zealand, airplane wreck |
| Production Companies | Pact Productions, Hemdale, Enterprise Films |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Feb 02, 2025 Entered: Apr 13, 2024 |
![Race for the Yankee Zephyr (1981) Original Trailer [FHD]](/extra_thumbs/rcI81793Qdw.jpg)
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Ken Wahl | Barney |
| Lesley Ann Warren | Sally |
| Donald Pleasence | Gilbert Carson |
| George Peppard | Theo Brown |
| Bruno Lawrence | Barker |
| Grant Tilly | Collector |
| Frank Taurua | Brown's Henchman |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Tim Sanders | Unit Manager |
| Lee Tamahori | Boom Operator |
| Ben Seresin | Best Boy Electric |
| Lesley Vanderwalt | Makeup Artist |
| Glenn Boswell | Stunts |
| Bernard Hides | Production Design |
| Everett De Roche | Screenplay |
| John Laing | Editor |
| Aphrodite Kondos | Costume Designer |
| Chris Kenny | Second Assistant Director |
| Jackie Sullivan | Continuity |
| Peter Rogers | Focus Puller |
| Brian May | Conductor, Original Music Composer |
| Vincent Monton | Director of Photography |
| Murray Newey | First Assistant Director |
| Chris Short | Third Assistant Director |
| Jennifer Barty | Production Secretary |
| Freddie Cooper | Camera Operator |
| Peter Day | Clapper Loader |
| Don Jowsey | Gaffer |
| Alister Barry | Grip |
| Virginia Bieneman | Art Direction |
| Edward Mulholland | Construction Foreman |
| Kevin Chisnall | Special Effects |
| Pat Robins | Wardrobe Master |
| Elizabeth Jowsey | Wardrobe Assistant |
| Patricia Cohen | Assistant Makeup Artist |
| John Rillstone | Hairdresser |
| Christian Birch | Assistant Editor |
| Alan Brady | Unit Publicist |
| Roy Emerson | Still Photographer |
| Douglas Milsome | Second Unit Director of Photography |
| Rex Dovey | Pilot |
| Derek Morton | Dialogue Editor |
| Graham Morris | Sound Recordist |
| Pav Govind | Gaffer |
| Brian Kassler | Grip |
| Robin Outterside | Construction Manager |
| Graham Sang | Construction Foreman |
| Geoff Jamieson | Special Effects Assistant |
| Julia Mansford | Wardrobe Assistant |
| Cheryl Williams | Hairdresser |
| Carmen Galán | Assistant Editor |
| Don Reynolds | Sound Editor |
| Barry Payne | Still Photographer |
| David Hemmings | Second Unit Director |
| Dennis Hunt | Stunts |
| Fiona McConchie | Stunts |
| Margaret Cardin | Negative Cutter |
| Brian Shennan | Sound Mixer |
| David Hemmings | Director |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Antony I. Ginnane | Producer |
| David Hemmings | Producer |
| John Daly | Executive Producer |
| William Fayman | Executive Producer |
| John Barnett | Producer |
| Michael Fay | Executive Producer |
| Brian W. Cook | Associate Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 4 |
| 2024 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 | 10 | 28 | 4 |
| 2024 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 3 |
| 2024 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 3 |
| 2024 | 10 | 9 | 25 | 3 |
| 2024 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 4 |
| 2024 | 12 | 8 | 20 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 3 |
| 2025 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 3 |
Trending Position
<em>'Race for the Yankee Zephyr'</em> is alright viewing, though its extremely uneven nature makes it difficult to get into. Donald Pleasence gives a rather wacky performance as Barney, it looks like he was having fun acting in this - but, as a viewer, he only adds to the chaotic feel of this mov ... ie, which is kinda all over the place. Ken Wahl and Lesley Ann Warren are good, though George Peppard's antagonist isn't the best; Peppard himself is OK. The plot moves at a real meh pace, as it doesn't really leave you a lot to latch on to. It is objectively a quite drawn out way of telling the story, which could've been wrapped up in short film form to be honest! There are worse movies out there no doubt, but this 1981 picture is very much a forgettable one!