MovieChat Forums > Nightflyers (1988) Discussion > Nightflyers - A true classic

Nightflyers - A true classic

posted 18 years ago by Nexus07
17 replies | jump to latest

Although most dispise this film, I actually enjoy it and appreciate it more and more every time I watch it. The visual style is thoroughly engaging, as is the story, and the soundtrack (which I managed to find in LP form on ebay). Having read the novella by George R.R. Martin on which this film was based, I can honestly say that the movie is better. It reminds me of two other 80's films, The Keep (1983) and Dune (1984). The entire tone of Nightflyers, from the vast spaceport, to the interior of the Nightflyer and outer space, is surreal, possessing a dream-like quality with it's ethereal lighting. What Michael Mann could have done with this! I truely hope one day it gets an official release of DVD, with deleted scenes and special features, but that seems unlikely to happen. Truely this film is one of a kind, and should be appreciated more than it is.

[–] beau_man 18 years ago

I totally agree. I will write more reply on this at a later time. Just stopped by to say I noticed.

[–] beau_man 18 years ago

This is in response to your response to my original "How About a Remake" post.
I guess you're right in the aspect of the visual style. I found it appealing while other commenters thought it was way too misty.
On the other hand, taking present day technology into play, I believe the visual style could be enhanced tremendously. I think no remake could ever have the same effect Nightflyers had on me the very first time I saw it...but what impact could a remake have on those who have never seen the original, nor read the book?
Any comments?

[–] CMRKeyboadist 18 years ago

I love this movie. Sure the styling of the movie is dated but it has a solid soundtrack, decent acting, and in many ways very creepy. I am rather surprised that this movie only has a 4/10 rating since I consider this movie to be a classic sci fi movie. I don't know if a remake would give it to much justice because the style of this movie is very surreal (something only the 80's seems to catch on) and I don't think that a modern day version would be quite as good. Anyway, figured I would leave my message.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Gordyl 18 years ago

The first time I watched it, I expected it to be a crappy movie. I was surprised and delighted that it actually tried to follow the storyline of the book. I rated it a 6. (Note that I said "tried" to follow the book's storyline which in movie land means they didn't do too bad.)

----Gordy----
"If it ain't broken, don't fix it!"

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Gordyl 17 years ago

Glad you liked it. Maybe one day they will put out a nice DVD with special features. One can only hope...

----Gordy----
"Things ain't what it use to be."
§

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

I bought this film for a buck at a video store about a year ago, and I finally got around to watching it. It's not bad at all! For a low-budget film, there's some real imagination here. It has a real '80s look about it that's irresistible, and it maintained my attention for 90 minutes. Plus, Michael Des Barres rocks! I don't need to see a DVD, because my buck video suits me just fine. Six stars out of 10.

[–] ajnemajrje 15 years ago

I loved this movie. Pretty much all of my friends at the time had HUGE crushes on Michael Praed so we used to get together and watch it obsessively.

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

Wow, a Michael Praed fan. Actually, several! Looks like he still appears on BBC programming. Have you seen anything with him lately?

[–] ajnemajrje 15 years ago

LOL I JUST finished watching Nightflyers :D

[–] Witchytwo 15 years ago

Wow, a Michael Praed fan. Actually, several! Looks like he still appears on BBC programming. Have you seen anything with him lately?

Yes! There are quite a few of us still out there.
Michael mostly appears on stage nowadays. He is due to start a UK tour of 'The Sound of Music' in July.

'Nightflyers' is one of my favourite Michael films, I watch it just for him.

The Witch is back

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

I'm sure the hills will truly come alive when Michael appears onstage in "The Sound of Music." I wish he'd make more feature films!

[–] filmbuff1974 13 years ago

I agree, the production design and the soundtrack really sells this film. I really enjoyed it!

If you love and support Michael Jackson 100%, copy & paste this into your signature. We love MJ!

[–] dragon_x 12 years ago

The movie is a great sci fi/horror cult classic - prob good for 6.5 to 7.0/10 - I only saw the 4:3 low res xfer. I wonder if there is a quality (720p +) 16:9 xfer ... like for the Last Starfighter...

They could clean up some of the fog ... redo the exterior space scenes and this movie might just look 'new' - but keep with the late 80's style. It vaguely reminds me of BladeRunner ... in parts, but then they are both 80s.

[–] filmbuff1974 12 years ago

I caught this on YouTube and the quality was decent enough.

I agree, it was very much like BLADERUNNER and an eighties time-capsule. I thought this was what made the movie so charming.

It would be great to have a DVD release with commentary tracks.

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