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Mystery documentary

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper (2020) movie poster

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper is a 2020 mystery documentary directed by John Dower, starring Walter Cronkite, John Chancellor and Bill Mitchell. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes and earned $4,218 worldwide. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$4.2K
Echo Score
72
Metascore
61
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The Mystery of D.B. Cooper (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Director
John Dower
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Mystery of D.B. Cooper About?

The premise of The Mystery of D.B. Cooper without spoilers.

This documentary explores the enduring mystery of the D.B. Cooper hijacking, a daring 1971 event where a man hijacked a plane, received a ransom, and disappeared into the Pacific Northwest. The film profiles four potential suspects while examining the FBI’s decades-long investigation. It delves into the motivations behind the heist, the lasting impact on aviation security, and the evolution of the legend surrounding the elusive Cooper, whose true identity remains unconfirmed.

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • reference to d.b. cooper
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Cast & crew

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper Cast

Walter Cronkite leads the cast, with John Chancellor and Bill Mitchell. Directed by John Dower; 21 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Mystery of D.B. Cooper

· 17 more
Show all 21 cast members
From the director

More from John Dower

More films directed by John Dower, best-rated first: Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos, My Scientology Movie, Flintoff and The Man Who Definitely Didn’t Steal Hollywood.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Mystery of D.B. Cooper 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in story & flow (75) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

72 /100

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper Echo Score Breakdown

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper delivers a generally engaging true-crime exploration that balances historical context with thematic depth. Critics widely praise its fresh presentation of the enduring myth, while some viewers note moments of sluggish pacing and uneven technical polish. The documentary coherently traces various theories and personal recollections, maintaining a sense of intrigue throughout. Although minor production and pacing flaws temper the experience, the film succeeds as a thoughtful and compelling examination of an unsolved legend.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    Art & Craft in The Mystery of D.B. Cooper presents competent direction and production design, though some users found the editing choppy and re-enactment sequences uneven. The documentary’s visual style remains coherent, with measured pacing and clear framing during interviews. Cinematography highlights key moments of suspense, yet occasional lapses in technical polish are apparent. Overall, the film demonstrates solid craft tempered by sporadic lapses in execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film offers insightful profiles of witnesses, agents, and enthusiasts, lending emotional resonance to the central mystery. Interview segments benefit from thoughtful selection of voices, though some contributors appear under-directed, reducing the impact of their testimony. The narrative balances respect and curiosity, avoiding judgmental tones while exploring personal motivations. In sum, the documentary achieves engaging depth despite occasional lapses in interview direction.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of Story & Flow, the documentary constructs a coherent narrative that guides viewers through competing theories and historical context. It maintains engagement with clear chronology and thematic interludes, though a few sequences feel deliberately paced, leading to perceived slow moments. The narrative structure effectively highlights the enduring power of the myth without promising definitive answers. Ultimately, the storytelling remains compelling and accessible, even for those less familiar with the Cooper saga.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Regarding Sensory Experience, the film’s visual cohesion and soundtrack aim to heighten suspense, but sound design occasionally undermines clarity. Background music sometimes overpowers dialogue, and the audio mix displays inconsistency during key interview passages. Visually, the documentary employs clean transitions and archival footage to sustain interest. While the overall sensory package conveys atmosphere, technical imbalances in audio management reduce its impact on immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    On Rewatch Factor, the documentary benefits from its thematic depth and varied theories, inviting repeat viewings for those intrigued by the Cooper legend. The fresh perspectives and evocative visuals offer renewed insight on subsequent watches. However, viewers seeking definitive answers or brisk pacing may find limited appeal in revisiting the same material. In balance, the film holds enduring interest for mystery enthusiasts, though its rewatch value varies with audience expectations.

Box office

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper Box Office

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper grossed $4,218 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.2K

International
$4.2K
Videos

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Mystery of D.B. Cooper.

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper (2020): Official Trailer | HBO

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FAQ

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Mystery of D.B. Cooper, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Mystery of D.B. Cooper?

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was The Mystery of D.B. Cooper released?

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper was released on November 25, 2020.

Who directed The Mystery of D.B. Cooper?

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper was directed by John Dower.

More films by John Dower

Who is in the cast of The Mystery of D.B. Cooper?

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper stars Walter Cronkite, John Chancellor and Bill Mitchell, among 21 credited actors.

How much did The Mystery of D.B. Cooper make at the box office?

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper grossed $4,218 worldwide.

How is The Mystery of D.B. Cooper rated?

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper has 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does The Mystery of D.B. Cooper have a post-credit scene?

No. The Mystery of D.B. Cooper has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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