Big Movie Classics: Legends of Flight

Originally produced for exhibition in IMAX™ museum theaters, acclaimed Giant Screen film director Stephen Low takes the audience on an exhilarating ride in the legendary 20th Century aircraft that most strongly influenced the revolutionary design of the 787 jetliner and the giant Airbus A380. Through an exclusive first-hand look at a design and manufacturing process that took nearly 10 years, viewers will experience the challenges, the struggles, the triumphs, and the emotional highs and lows of building a once-in-a-generation, entirely new airplane from the ground up.

The filming was completed with the first flight of the 787, and released to theaters soon after, but that was only the beginning of a long and arduous test flight program required by the FAA for safety certification. In this special presentation, viewers will for the first time be witness to the filming of the rigorous testing a new commercial airplane undertakes before it is cleared to carry its first passenger. Also featured is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how this Giant Screen film was made. Shot with large format IMAX 15/70 cameras, by far the most advanced film technology in the world, this HD presentation is absolutely brilliant on home TV screens. The film was produced in association with Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, also provides viewers with educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) value in a highly entertaining format.

The Distribution Challenge

To achieve significant carriage while overcoming the perception of self-interest among programmers, because the pilot program of the series is a paean to Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner, and was funded (as an IMAX film) in part by Boeing. The program was structured as a pilot episode of a potential series, Big Movie Classics, that would feature a wide variety of IMAX films. Still, with the Boeing self-interest perception holding us back, we achieved about 50% carriage nationwide, including many important markets.

Contact Mark Kresser of the production company K2 Communications for a referral.