It’s”Spinal Tap” meets “Air Force One”
Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson trades his mic for a pilot’s seat in a customized Boeing 757 and flies the band around the world (23 concerts in 45 days).
Disclaimer: I wasn’t a huge Iron Maiden fan growing up. They were a little too heavy for me when I was a kid (I was more of an AC/DC/Def Leopard guy — wimpy, I know).
But this doc is absolutely awesome. And I admire Maiden more than ever!
Enjoy!
Trailer for “Iron Maiden: Flight 666”
Watch “Iron Maiden: Flight 666”
You can watch “Iron Maiden: Flight 666” for free on YouTube by clicking the video below:
The above video is the full Flight 666 documentary with Spanish sub-titles
If the above link doesn’t work, try these below:
For you Russian-speaking Iron Maiden fans, here’s another free link to the doc with Russian narration on top of it:
I don’t see Flight 666 available to stream anywhere else right now. But you can recheck here: https://www.yidio.com/movie/iron-maiden-flight-666/29506
Ratings:
- My Rating: 93/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 93/100 (Users); na/100 (Critics)
Release Date: February 1, 2020
My Review of “Iron Maiden: Flight 666”
“Iron Maiden: Flight 666” takes you on a rock journey around the world.
Imagine combining a global rock tour with a Boeing 757, piloted by a bona-fide rock star!
This 2009 doc, directed by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen, captures Iron Maiden’s “Somewhere Back in Time” tour in 2008, showcasing 23 concerts in 45 days across five continents.
Bruce Dickonson Pilots “Ed Force One”
The Boeing 757 used by Iron Maiden was nicknamed “Ed Force One”. This name was inspired by the band’s mascot, Eddie (Edward the Head), and styled after the U.S. president’s Air Force One.
The plane was primarily piloted by Iron Maiden’s front man lead singer, Bruce Dickinson.
Little known fact: At the time, Dickinson was also employed as a commercial airline pilot by Astraeus Airlines.
The customized aircraft, piloted by Dickinson, allowed the band to visit countries they might not have otherwise due to logistical and financial constraints.
Iron Maiden decides that for their new tour, they will combine band and crew with equipment on a 757, with vocalist Bruce Dickinson flying the plane. The jet allows them to do a global tour that would otherwise be too expensive.
The Tour
We start in Mumbai, India. Maiden’s first stop. The energy is electric. Fans are pumped. You can feel it. Next, we hit Malaysia. Then, it’s Melbourne, Australia. The band battles jet lag and illness. They keep throw-up buckets on both sides of the stage. Yep, it’s that intense.
Iron Maiden’s members bring their kids on tour. They travel to Sydney, Brisbane, and then to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Day 16, they’re in Japan. Anchorage, Alaska follows. Then Los Angeles. Steve Harris, the bassist and primary songwriter, emerges as the “musical backbone” of Maiden. Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine appears, sharing his admiration for Maiden. He says, “I wore out ‘Piece of Mind’. Listened all day, then at night with headphones so I wouldn’t keep the neighbors up.”
We continue to Guadalajara, Mexico. The crowd is wild, singing ‘Ole Ole’ like a soccer chant. Day 27, they’re in Costa Rica, playing the biggest show in Central America – 27,000 fans. Columbia is next. The scene: three miles of tents, fans waiting to see them.
In São Paulo, Brazil, we meet Marcus Motolo, a minister with 162 Maiden tattoos. Then, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Santiago, Chile. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Day 44, they hit New Jersey. A standout moment is their performance of “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. The final show, Day 46, in Toronto, wraps up the tour.
Bruce Dickinson flying the plane is a spectacle. His passion for both music and aviation is evident. It’s not just a gimmick. It’s a logistical triumph. They carry band members, crew, and 12 tons of equipment. This setup allows them to reach places otherwise too costly.
Mumbai’s fans are first to see the spectacle. The doc captures their excitement. They sing along, chant, and show their love. The energy carries through to Malaysia, where Maiden delivers another powerful performance. Melbourne comes next. Here, the toll of touring shows. Jet lag hits hard. Members fall ill, but the show goes on.
In Australia, fans are ecstatic. Sydney and Brisbane are hot spots. The band’s resilience is clear. They battle exhaustion but give it their all. Port Moresby is a unique stop. It’s off the beaten path but adds to the adventure. By day 16, they’re in Japan. The culture shock is real, but so is the adoration from Japanese fans.
Anchorage and Los Angeles are stark contrasts. From cold to warm, Maiden adapts. Steve Harris shines, his bass lines driving the music. Tom Morello’s fanboy moment is a highlight. His story about “Piece of Mind” resonates. It shows Maiden’s influence across generations and genres.
Guadalajara’s crowd brings a different energy. They chant like it’s a soccer match. Costa Rica is monumental. The biggest show in Central America. The excitement is palpable. Columbia’s fans wait in tents, showing dedication. São Paulo’s Marcus Motolo, with 162 tattoos, is a superfan like no other. His story adds depth, showing how deeply Maiden’s music touches lives.
Buenos Aires and Santiago keep the momentum. Fans in San Juan are no different. Each location adds to the epic journey. Day 44 in New Jersey, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a highlight. The performance is iconic, encapsulating Maiden’s essence.
The final show in Toronto on Day 46 ends on a high note.
My favorite parts of the doc:
Overall: Feels Like a Concert: The doc captures the excitement of Iron Maiden live. I’ve never seen them live but in this doc I felt like I was part of the concert. I’m guessing it’s because of the Dolby Surround sound/DTS (but I could be wrong). I’ve heard some Maiden fans say it’s the cinematography and sound quality that gives Flight 666 the edge over “Iron Maiden: Death on the Road” (their 2006 tour documentary).
Behind-the-Scenes Moments: The doc includes light-hearted behind-the-scenes footage of the band members enjoying their time together on the plane. They play golf and act like tourists in different cities.
Run to the Hills in Colombia: Where the fan is seen crying while holding Nicko McBrain’s drumsticks.
Rime of the Ancient Mariner: This is a complex song (lots of guitar work). I’m a mediocre guitarist but I’m real impressed with how seamless their transitions are throughout the piece. It shows off how great musicians these guys are.
Bruce Dickinson’s interview response where he gets visibly annoyed when asked about the band living off their old catalog.
Heads-up to old Maiden fans (Flight 666 versus the “Concert of Death” documentary)
I read one Reddit review of the doc in which the Maiden fan had a harsh critique of the post-1988 songs in the doc. I’m not enough of a Maiden fan to know which song came when.
But it’s possible some Maiden fans might prefer the lesser-known “Iron Maiden: Death on the Road” from 2006 (3 years earlier than the tour in this Flight 666 doc).
It’s less of a documentary and more of a concert film (specifically of their Dortmund, Germany show that was part of the tour they did for their “Dance of Death” album (their 13th) from October 19, 2003, to February 8, 2004.
Here’s a link to that concert film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBG0aqE9g5E.
Iron Maiden: Flight 666 rocks your world.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc