When in '79 the world, thanks to America, was captivated by Moonraker or Rocky II, Italian cinema tried not to lag behind and keep pace with overseas productions. Did it succeed? Well, not exactly. While we still recognize some titles from that year, Concorde Affaire is fading into obscurity, and it's harder to find in the language version we're interested in. This is also something to take note of. Even though the dialogues aren't particularly thrilling, if I had walked out of the cinema in '79 after watching this film, I would have felt like I got more than I expected.
Let me briefly explain. The film is packed with action that keeps you on edge but in a subtle way-not exaggerated like in contemporary cinema with explosions and scantily clad women everywhere. In an hour and a half, we get a suspenseful thriller with mysterious plot twists-conspiracy? An attempted ransom? All the commotion is created to protect certain "interests" while trying to cover up sabotage, dragging innocent people into it. The question is whether our main character will figure out what's really going on. His heroic stance and determination make us feel he's the right man for the job and the cause.
Concorde Affaire has the ability to make you not want to take your eyes off the screen. Even for those who aren't fans of aviation, just seeing such a majestic plane sparks awe. The plane's capabilities-the realization of supersonic passenger transport thanks to Rolls-Royce Olympus 593 engines with a dual spool, originally developed for the Vulcan bomber-are impressive. The mood is heightened by the soundtrack by Stelvio Cipriani, who had already been praised for his earlier film scores, and he didn't disappoint here either. To fully appreciate the music, though, it's worth listening to it on platforms like Spotify, where you can hear even the tracks that don't fully resonate in the film.
What's missing for a higher rating? - The creators could have recleaned the soundtrack, which at times overlaps with other effects or has a muffled tone. Moreover, for that year, they could have opted for a sharper, more vivid picture that would be more pleasant on the eyes.
