Race for the Yankee Zephyr

Australian producer Antony Ginnane brought this $6 million romp to New Zealand, after Aussie union Actors Equity objected to the four lead roles going to foreigners. Deer hunting heroes Donald Pleasance (Halloween) and Ken Wahl (six years before becoming TV's Wise Guy) race around in helicopters and jet boats, after discovering a half-sunken WWll plane. This opening excerpt indicates the film's mixture of action, comedy and Southern scenery. Zephyr helped establish Aotearoa's reputation as a place to film; Ginnane and Kiwi John Barnett produced further projects together. 

I don't care if it's on the top of a mountain or the bottom of a lake, I shall see to it that this expedition finds what it came here for. I don't care if I have to grind your slimy, dirt-ridden, ugly little face into a yard of this hideous country to do so.

– Brown (George Peppard) to Gibbie (Donald Pleasence)

Key Cast & Crew

John Barnett

Producer

Bruno Lawrence

As: Barker (lead henchman)

Antony I Ginnane

Producer

David Hemmings

Director, Second Unit Director, Producer

Everett de Roche

Writer

Harry Rutherford-Jones

As: Harry