Night Crossing (1982)

In 1978 East Germany which was separated from West Germany by the infamous Berlin wall, two men (John Hurt, Beau Bridges) plan a daring escape to the West with their families. Their method of escape: a hot air balloon. Based on the true story of the Strelzyk and Wetzel families who escaped to West Berlin on September 16, 1979 via a homemade hot air balloon, I suspect John McGreevey's screenplay might have tweaked the story a bit to accent the suspense elements (certainly Jerry Goldsmith's strong score does) but it does come across as plausible in its simplicity rather than a hyped up fabricated adventure. It helps that it has some excellent actors like Hurt, Bridges and the wonderful Jane Alexander at the film's core where we can read in their faces the frustration at living in a totalitarian regime. The film works more as an action-adventure film rather than a political tract (though there's some of that too) but this is a Disney film so that's to be expected. Solidly directed by Delbert Mann (SEPARATE TABLES). With Ian Bannen, Glynnis O'Connor and in her final film role, Kay Walsh (Nancy in Lean's OLIVER TWIST).