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The Skyjacker's Tale (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Skyjacker's Tale (2017) movie poster

The Skyjacker's Tale is a 2017 documentary directed by Jamie Kastner, starring Ishmael Muslim Ali, Robert Ifedi and Bradley Gordon. It runs 1 hour 15 minutes and earned $6,253 worldwide. Critics gave it 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
63%
worldwide gross
$6.3K
Echo Score
55
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The Skyjacker's Tale (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 15m (75 min)
Director
Jamie Kastner
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Skyjacker's Tale About?

The premise of The Skyjacker's Tale without spoilers.

This gripping documentary explores the incredible true story of Ishmael Muslim Ali, who hijacked a plane in 1984 as a desperate act to seek justice and freedom. The film recounts his remarkable story of survival and defiance on New Year's Eve, raising questions about conviction and the complexities of the human spirit while examining the events leading up to the daring act.

The Skyjacker's Tale Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • reenactment
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Cast & crew

The Skyjacker's Tale Cast

Ishmael Muslim Ali leads the cast, with Robert Ifedi and Bradley Gordon. Directed by Jamie Kastner; 9 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Jamie Kastner

More films directed by Jamie Kastner, best-rated first: The Secret Disco Revolution and There Are No Fakes.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Skyjacker's Tale Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Skyjacker's Tale 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

55 /100

The Skyjacker's Tale Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Skyjacker's Tale presents a documentary that balances compelling content with uneven execution. Its artful reenactments and empathetic character portrayals deliver moments of intrigue, while inconsistent narrative structuring and occasional stylistic distractions hinder full immersion. The story offers shocking revelations and a unique historical perspective, yet pacing and coherence flaws temper its overall impact. As a result, the film leaves a mixed but engaging impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s stylistic approach produces mixed impressions. Its kitschy reenactments provide visual flair, yet the gimmicky sequences and uneven editing occasionally undermine narrative cohesion. Comments note both absorbing presentation and haphazard construction. Overall, these directional and editorial choices register as inconsistent, delivering moments of inventiveness alongside lapses in polish.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary elicits empathy through portrayals of the skyjacker’s moral dilemma. The trial scenes are highlighted for their potent resonance, and the narrative arc humanizes the subject. However, some critics note a lack of complexity and occasional narrative slant toward sympathy. Overall, performances and emotional engagement remain moderately effective.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the film engages with shocking revelations but suffers from inconsistent pacing. The surprising trial sequences captivate, while the shifting timelines and selective omissions disrupt coherence. Critics praise the original subject matter yet find the narrative’s construction uneven and occasionally unfocused. Overall, the plot maintains intrigue despite structural and pacing flaws.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the documentary presents a visually striking palette characterized by reenactment stylization, offering moments of kitschy charm. Yet, inconsistent editing and jarring transitions detract from immersion, and the lack of distinct musical or sound design highlights a missed opportunity. Overall, the audiovisual cohesion remains uneven, balancing flair with disjointed execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s absorbing revelations and empathic moments invite a second viewing for details overlooked initially. The original story and trial scenes offer memorable content on first watch. However, narrative disjunctions and stylistic inconsistencies may limit long-term appeal. Overall, the documentary holds moderate replay value, engaging yet hindered by structural unevenness.

Box office

The Skyjacker's Tale Box Office

The Skyjacker's Tale grossed $6,253 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$6.3K

US & Canada
$6.3K
Videos

The Skyjacker's Tale Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Skyjacker's Tale.

The Skyjacker's Tale Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Details

The Skyjacker's Tale Also Known As

Also known as “Die Geschichte des Flugzeugentführers Ali LaBeet”.

Also known as
  • Die Geschichte des Flugzeugentführers Ali LaBeet

Seen The Skyjacker's Tale?

FAQ

The Skyjacker's Tale FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Skyjacker's Tale, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Skyjacker's Tale?

The Skyjacker's Tale runs 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes).

When was The Skyjacker's Tale released?

The Skyjacker's Tale was released on June 30, 2017.

Who directed The Skyjacker's Tale?

The Skyjacker's Tale was directed by Jamie Kastner.

More films by Jamie Kastner

Who is in the cast of The Skyjacker's Tale?

The Skyjacker's Tale stars Ishmael Muslim Ali, Robert Ifedi and Bradley Gordon, among 9 credited actors.

How much did The Skyjacker's Tale make at the box office?

The Skyjacker's Tale grossed $6,253 worldwide.

How is The Skyjacker's Tale rated?

The Skyjacker's Tale has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does The Skyjacker's Tale have a post-credit scene?

No. The Skyjacker's Tale has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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