#William shatner twilight zone update#

We never get acquainted with the other passengers. And, finally, in the original, we mostly spend time with Bob, his wife and the crew. Also, the remake depicts what the original couldnвЂ™t owing, I guess, to budget constraints: the cabin depressurizing as a result of someone shooting out a window (or, in the original, releasing the emergency door) while the plane is in flight. True, the remake omits some pertinent details - our protagonist in LithgowвЂ™s version, for instance, is merely afraid of flying while in the original heвЂ™s just been released from a sanitarium after suffering from a nervous breakdown on a plane six months prior (was he harassed by a creature only he could seemingly see then too?) - but it more than makes up for that by besting the original in its creature designвЂ“ and wisely confining it, like Freddy Krueger in the original вЂњElm StreetвЂќ movie, largely to the shadows. Whenever I watch this episode I also have to screen the John Lithgow remake as well. If you enjoyed this post, please enter your email address in the subscription box to stay tuned for more updates. Classic television buffs will therefore enjoy this episode, which offers an unforgettable viewing experience for fans of all ages. вЂњNightmare at 20,000 FeetвЂќ is a clever, well-acted, and chilling installment of The Twilight Zone.

In contrast to the Boy Who Cried Wolf, however, the character of Bob is portrayed as a truthful man driven by altruistic motives, even scrutinizing his own sanity before taking drastic action to save his fellow passengers-possibly a statement on how good, honest people with mental illnesses may suffer terrible discrimination from society.

#William shatner twilight zone update#

Providing a modern update on a timeless fable, вЂњNightmare at 20,000 FeetвЂќ demonstrates how a lack of credibility can undermine the value of oneвЂ™s testimony. Upon sighting the gremlin, for instance, ShatnerвЂ™s character gazes through the window with bulging eyes and a gaping mouth-a hilarious, albeit realistic, depiction of a nervous breakdown.

Though often parodied in pop culture media, the scenery chewing of Shatner adds to the subtle humor of this episode. Specifically worth noting is the claustrophobic airplane setting for this episode, which, when coupled with a violent thunderstorm, compels the viewer to sympathize with BobвЂ™s predicament. In spite of its dated special effects, вЂњNightmare at 20,000 FeetвЂќ maintains a frightening impact after more than fifty years. Especially iconic is the performance of William Shatner, who deserves praise for his unique facial expressions and paranoid mannerisms. When a gremlin lands on the plane and begins tampering with the engine, Bob attempts to alert the others of his discovery-with an ironic twist.Д¬ombining sci-fi/horror tropes with tongue-in-cheek elements, вЂњNightmare at 20,000 FeetвЂќ earns its status as the greatest episode of The Twilight Zone. Cast: William Shatner, Christine White, Edward Kemmer, and Asa MaynorДЄfter recovering from a mental breakdown, salesman Bob Wilson (William Shatner) travels with his wife Julia (Christine White) via airplane.