The Riddle of the Stinson (1988): Cast & Plot
The Riddle of the Stinson is a 1988 drama directed by Chris Noonan, starring Jack Thompson as Bernard O'Reilly, Helen O'Connor and Mary Haire. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Chris Noonan
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Kennedy Miller Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Riddle of the Stinson About?
The premise of The Riddle of the Stinson without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A true story set in 1937 when a routine passenger and mail plane vanished over the Australian bush during a severe storm on the Brisbane‑Sydney route. A local bushman launches his own rescue, tracking the downed aircraft and locating the wreckage and two surviving passengers ten days later.
The Riddle of the Stinson Themes & Keywords
· 31 tags- survivor
- wreckage
- bad weather
- passenger
- bushman
- rainforest
- maggots
- broken leg
- search and rescue
- 1930s
- wind
- dead body
+19 more Show fewer
- storm
- turbulence
- rescue party
- waterfall
- farmer
- airplane crash
- airplane
- missing airplane
- backwoods
- survival
- based on true story
- year 1937
- commercial air travel
- f word
- cigarette smoking
- birthday
- stretcher
- newspaper reporter
- australia
The Riddle of the Stinson Cast & Characters
Jack Thompson leads the cast as Bernard O'Reilly, with Helen O'Connor as Viona O'Reilly and Mary Haire as Rose O'Reilly. Directed by Chris Noonan; 28 actors are credited in all.
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Director Chris Noonan
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Jack Thompson as Bernard O'Reilly - Helen O'Connor as Viona O'Reilly
- Mary Haire as Rose O'Reilly
- Kendall Monaghan as Rhelma O'Reilly
Also Starring in The Riddle of the Stinson
· 24 more- Richard Roxburgh John Proud
- Norman Kaye Joseph Binstead
- Huw Williams James Westray
- Jacqueline McKenzie Usherette
- Mark Lee Bert Shepherd
- Dennis Miller Rex Boyden
- John Allen Claude Smyth
- Frank Wilson G. A. Robinson
- Esben Storm Harry Meissner
- Rob Steele Keefe
- Don Reid Dr. Lawlor
- Susan Lyons Jean Batten
- Peter Browne Herb
- Igor Sas Batten's Co-Pilot
- Russell Newman Rolly Graham
- Barry Hill Edgar Johnson
Show all 28 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Alfred Bell Rob Stephens
- Len Kaserman Bill Fountain
- Louise Pajo Smyth's Secretary
- Mic Conway Binstead's Assoc.
- Helen Mutkins Hazel
- Susan Gorence Mrs Fountain
- Lynette Haddrick Grace (Telephonist)
- Laurie Neilson Mrs Stephens
More from Chris Noonan
More films directed by Chris Noonan, best-rated first: Babe, Miss Potter and Stepping Out.
The Riddle of the Stinson Plot Summary
What happens in The Riddle of the Stinson from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Queensland, 1937. A Stinson Model A airliner takes off from Brisbane in stormy weather with two crew and five passengers on board, bound for Sydney via Lismore. The aircraft vanishes en route and officials assume the pilot steered east toward the coast to escape the worst of the weather, likely crashing into the ocean, fueling a search that centers on the sea. But Bernard O’Reilly offers an alternate theory that shifts the focus inland and into a much tougher fight for survival.
Full summary
The whole story of The Riddle of the Stinson, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Riddle of the Stinson?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which year does the film's story begin?
Cars in The Riddle of the Stinson
6 cars on screen, including the 1937 Austin 14/6 Goodwood and the 1935 Dodge Touring Sedan.
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1937 Austin 14/6 Goodwood Minor role -
1935 Dodge Touring Sedan Minor role -
1938 Packard One-Ten Minor role -
1938 Plymouth Minor role
Seen The Riddle of the Stinson?
Movies Like The Riddle of the Stinson
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Riddle, The Survivor and The Langoliers.
The Riddle of the Stinson FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Riddle of the Stinson, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Riddle of the Stinson?
The Riddle of the Stinson runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was The Riddle of the Stinson released?
The Riddle of the Stinson was released on July 25, 1988.
Who directed The Riddle of the Stinson?
The Riddle of the Stinson was directed by Chris Noonan.
More films by Chris Noonan Who is in the cast of The Riddle of the Stinson?
The Riddle of the Stinson stars Jack Thompson as Bernard O'Reilly, Helen O'Connor as Viona O'Reilly and Mary Haire as Rose O'Reilly, among 28 credited actors.
Does The Riddle of the Stinson have a post-credit scene?
No. The Riddle of the Stinson has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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