The Flight of the Phoenix (DVD, 2003)

A simple story: after a plane crashes in the African desert, a group of survivors decide they must rescue themselves by building a new plane from the wreckage of the old. Jimmy Stewart does well in a less-likable role than he usually plays, as the cynical pilot who thinks they're wasting their time, but appreciates the need to keep hope alive. To my mind, the cast does a slightly better job than that of the recent Dennis Quaid remake, but this movie does suffer a bit from the lack of special effects in a couple of scenes: the crash itself is depicted in an annoying freeze-frame fashion over the opening credits, and the Phoenix's landing takes place conveniently behind a hill (wheels it shouldn't have are also clearly visible during its takeoff.) But still, this is an enjoyable movie for a rainy afternoon (just don't let anyone ruin the surprise that the aircraft designer has in store!)