Fire in the Sky (1993) Robert Lieberman

This film recreates the strange events which happened on November 5, 1975 in the town Snowflake, Arizona. Travis Walton works in the White Mountains, clearing bush for the government. Driving home from work, his colleagues arrive back in town, claiming that Travis was abducted by aliens. Nobody believes them, and despite a lack of motive and no evidence of foul play, Travis’ disappearance is treated as murder. Travis reappears after five days, but in time, the terrible memories of his alien abduction come back…

A terrifying climax highlights this portrayal of the alleged 1975 alien abduction of logger Travis Walton. Walton and fellow loggers were driving one night when, the story goes, they spotted a mysterious spacecraft hovering over head. When Walton is beamed aboard and declared missing for several days, nobody believes his friends, providing an interesting angle on the story. This element of the film is particularly effective in building up suspense. Where is Walton and what did he experience? A cast that includes D.B. Sweeney, Robert Patrick and Henry Thomas (Elliot from E.T.) deliver quality performances. It doesn’t have the look or feel of a blockbuster but this is a classic example of an overlooked gem.

Fire in the Sky (1993)