Altitude (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A negotiator traveling by air becomes caught in a takeover that continues to threaten passengers even after an emergency landing.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Negotiation Interrupted

Gretchen attempts to keep a hostage taker talking while resisting the possibility of a sniper shot. The negotiation ends amid a sudden attack and urgent commands.

Key Events

• Hostage Negotiation Begins — Gretchen conducts a tense hostage negotiation by telephone. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Unspecified hostage scene
• Hostage Taker Explains His Motive — The man says he wanted his tax refund and never meant to hurt anyone. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Unspecified hostage scene
• Gretchen Opposes the Shot — Gretchen argues that a sniper's shot could kill innocent people. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Unspecified hostage scene
• Negotiation Ends in Chaos — A sudden attack interrupts the call as people shout commands to move. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Unspecified hostage scene

A Troubled Passenger

Traveling to Washington after a serious mistake, Gretchen expects desk work and has no service weapon with her. A business-class passenger invites her to Paris and reveals that others are seeking a valuable item.

Key Events

• Flight to Washington — Gretchen travels to Washington expecting desk duty after a serious mistake. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Commercial aircraft
• Gretchen Travels Unarmed — She has checked her service weapon and is traveling without it. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Commercial aircraft
• Paris Invitation — A passenger encourages Gretchen to abandon her plans and go with him to Paris. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Business class
• Valuable Item Revealed — Their conversation reveals that the passenger carries something valuable and others seek it. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Business class
• Negotiation Plan Proposed — The passenger insists they find the person seeking the item and use it to negotiate. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Business class

Takeover and Resistance

The aircraft loses power as armed men seize control and search the passengers. Gretchen, Sadie, and others become involved in resisting the attackers, while Sharpe confronts a former associate over an alleged betrayal.

Key Events

• Aircraft Power Cut — The power is cut and armed men begin taking control of the aircraft. Characters: Gretchen Blair, Sadie, Sharpe Location: Commercial aircraft
• Sadie Joins the Struggle — Sadie becomes involved in the physical struggle during the takeover. Characters: Sadie Location: Commercial aircraft
• Sharpe Accuses an Associate — Sharpe accuses a former associate of betraying their partners for a fortune. Characters: Sharpe Location: Commercial aircraft
• Passengers Searched — The armed group searches passengers and orders everyone to remove their masks. Characters: Gretchen Blair, Sharpe Location: Commercial aircraft
• Gretchen Tracks Passengers — Gretchen protects herself and helps account for the people aboard. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Commercial aircraft
• Search for Service Bag — Gretchen works with others to locate her missing service bag and resist the attackers. Characters: Gretchen Blair Location: Commercial aircraft

Emergency Descent

The aircraft suffers major damage, including a loss of hydraulics. The Pilot reports an emergency and brings the plane down in an unscheduled landing.

Key Events

• Hydraulics Fail — The aircraft suffers major mechanical damage, including a loss of hydraulics. Characters: Pilot Location: Commercial aircraft
• Emergency Descent Reported — The Pilot reports an emergency as the aircraft descends. Characters: Pilot Location: Commercial aircraft
• Unscheduled Landing — The damaged aircraft makes an unscheduled landing. Characters: Pilot Location: Unspecified landing site

Danger After Landing

The landing does not end the crisis. Surviving armed men order everyone to stay seated and threaten those who might disobey before a planned takeoff.

Key Events

• Survivors Ordered Seated — Surviving armed men order everyone to remain seated after landing. Characters: Gretchen Blair, Sadie, Sharpe Location: Landed aircraft
• Threat of Another Takeoff — The armed men announce the aircraft will take off again soon and threaten anyone who disobeys. Characters: Gretchen Blair, Sadie, Sharpe Location: Landed aircraft

Story Breakdown

• Hostage Negotiation — Gretchen tries to prevent the hostage situation from ending in further harm.
  • Tax Refund Claim — The hostage taker says he wanted his tax refund and never meant to hurt anyone.
  • Rejected Sniper Shot — Gretchen warns that firing could kill innocent people and keeps the man talking.
• Gretchen's Travel — Gretchen flies to Washington after a serious mistake, expecting to be assigned desk work.
  • Unarmed Flight — She has checked her service weapon and travels without it.
  • Paris Invitation — A business-class passenger urges her to abandon her plans and go to Paris.
• Valuable Item — A passenger reveals that he carries something valuable and that others aboard are looking for it.
  • Searchers Aboard — The conversation establishes that other people on the plane want the item.
  • Negotiation Proposal — The passenger says they must find the person seeking it and use it to negotiate.
• Aircraft Takeover — Armed men begin taking control of the plane, forcing passengers into a dangerous confrontation.
  • Power Cut — The takeover begins when the aircraft's power is cut.
  • Passenger Search — The armed group searches passengers and demands that they remove their masks.
• Resistance and Division — Passengers resist the attackers while conflict within the armed group becomes apparent.
  • Sadie's Struggle — Sadie is involved in the physical struggle during the takeover.
  • Sharpe's Accusation — Sharpe accuses a former associate of betraying their partners for a fortune.
  • Missing Service Bag — Gretchen works with others to find her bag and resist the attackers.
• Emergency Landing — Mechanical damage forces the Pilot to report an emergency and land the aircraft unexpectedly.
  • Hydraulic Failure — The plane suffers major damage, including a loss of hydraulics.
  • Descent and Landing — The Pilot reports an emergency as the plane descends and makes an unscheduled landing.
• Threat Continues — The armed men retain control after landing and impose another immediate threat.
  • Remain Seated — Surviving armed men order everyone to stay seated.
  • Takeoff Ultimatum — They announce another takeoff within minutes and threaten anyone who disobeys.

Directed by

Alex Merkin

Key Cast

• Dolph Lundgren — Sharpe
• Denise Richards — Gretchen Blair
• Chuck Liddell — Rawbones
• Greer Grammer — Sadie
• Jonathan Lipnicki — Rick