Iron Maiden: Flight 666

File:Boeing 757-23A, Astraeus Airlines JP6187959.jpg, was used as transport for their tour and features prominently in the film]]

Iron Maiden: Flight 666 documents the opening leg of the band's Somewhere Back in Time World Tour, which took place between February and March 2008.{{cite news|last1=Sweeting|first1=Adam|title=Flight 666 - Iron Maiden documentary|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/5160032/Flight-666-Iron-Maiden-documentary.html|access-date=28 October 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=15 April 2009}} During this leg of the tour, the group travelled 50,000 miles (encompassing India, Australia and North and South America) in just 45 days, performing 23 shows in 13 countries to half a million fans.{{cite news|last1=Michaels|first1=Sean|title=Iron Maiden to release tour documentary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jan/21/iron-maiden-documentary-film|access-date=28 October 2014|work=The Guardian|date=21 January 2009}} To achieve this, the band travelled in their own Boeing 757, nicknamed "Ed Force One" after the band's mascot, Eddie, and in the style of the U.S. president's Air Force One, which was specially converted to carry the band, their crew and twelve tonnes of equipment.

The aeroplane was largely piloted by the band's lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, who was then employed by Astraeus Airlines.{{cite news|last1=Burrell|first1=Ian|title=Flight 666, Iron Maiden performing at a cinema near you|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/advertising/flight-666-iron-maiden-performing-at-a-cinema-near-you-1639972.html|access-date=28 October 2014|work=The Independent|date=9 March 2009}} According to Dickinson, who came up with the idea, Ed Force One meant they could visit countries where "The bean counters said it's just not worth going" and allowed them to "do an almost European-type itinerary, but on an inter-continental basis".{{cite magazine|last1=Greene|first1=Andy|title=Iron Maiden's Flight 666 : Bruce Dickinson on Airborne Adventure|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/iron-maidens-flight-666-bruce-dickinson-on-airborne-adventure-20090625|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=28 October 2014|date=25 June 2009}} As a result, the band were able to perform in Costa Rica and Colombia for the first time.{{cite news|last1=Goodman|first1=Dean|title=Iron Maiden flying to cinemas with Flight 666|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ironmaiden-idUKTRE53E5B420090415|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306151630/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ironmaiden-idUKTRE53E5B420090415|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 March 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=28 October 2014|location=Los Angeles|date=15 April 2009}} The aircraft was flown under the call-sign "666", a reference to their 1982 single "The Number of the Beast", which provided the film's title.

Despite the technical aspects behind the tour, the documentary is predominantly about the group's fans, with Dickinson commenting that "Two-thirds of the film is not about us". Scenes shot in South America are particularly focused on the audiences, where Reuters report that they are "venerated like football stars", while The Daily Telegraph state that the film makers "elicit tearful eulogies" from those in Costa Rica and Colombia, then seeing the band for the first time. Dickinson asserts that the band's relationship with their fans is "the real story of Maiden",{{cite web|last1=Bezer|first1=Terry|title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666 Exclusive!|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/iron-maiden-flight-666-exclusive|website=Metal Hammer|access-date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409065324/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/iron-maiden-flight-666-exclusive|archive-date=9 April 2009|date=6 April 2009}} and the fact that this is the film's primary theme "is the way it should be".

The documentary was written, directed and produced by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn, using their production company, Banger Films.{{cite web|title=Iron Maiden Flight 666 Movie Wins Award; Theater Dates Announced|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/iron-maiden-flight-666-movie-wins-award-theater-dates-announced|website=Guitar World|access-date=28 October 2014|date=25 March 2009}} McFadyen and Dunn requested permission to shoot the film as soon as the tour was announced, which they received with just two months left to prepare. Despite the fact that the film makers had been acquainted with Iron Maiden while working on their first two documentaries, 2005's Metal: A Headbanger's Journey and 2007's Global Metal, some band members were initially mistrustful of the venture and were wary of having their privacy invaded. Although Dickinson and drummer Nicko McBrain were the most comfortable with the filming, bassist Steve Harris and guitarist Adrian Smith took longer to adapt, while guitarist Janick Gers largely ignored the crew until the final week. Following Iron Maiden: Flight 666, the band worked with Banger Films once again on their 2012 live video, En Vivo!.{{cite news | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-details-of-buenos-aires-santiago-dvd-shoot-revealed/ | title = Iron Maiden: Details Of Buenos Aires, Santiago DVD Shoot Revealed | access-date = 1 March 2012 | date = 7 April 2011 | work = Blabbermouth.net}}

The film's world première took place at the Cine Odeon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 14 March 2009, during the final leg of the band's Somewhere Back in Time World Tour.{{cite news|title=Iron Maiden's Flight 666 Takes Off At Rio Premiere|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-s-flight-666-takes-off-at-rio-premiere/|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=27 October 2014|date=15 March 2009}} The UK première took place on 20 April 2009 at the Kensington Odeon in London.{{cite news|title=Town rock star's big-screen debut|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/town-rock-star-s-big-screen-debut-1-1037566|access-date=27 October 2014|work=Sunderland Echo|date=20 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232133/http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/town-rock-star-s-big-screen-debut-1-1037566|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}} The following night, the film was screened simultaneously on over 450 screens in 41 countries globally.{{cite news|last1=Smith |first1=Matt |title=Award Winning Iron Maiden Film Hits Cinemas |url=http://news.sky.com/story/686694/award-winning-iron-maiden-film-hits-cinemas |access-date=27 October 2014 |publisher=Sky News |date=21 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110144403/http://news.sky.com/story/686694/award-winning-iron-maiden-film-hits-cinemas |archive-date=10 November 2012 }} Distributed by Arts Alliance Media and EMI, with D&E Entertainment sub-distributing in the US,{{cite news|title=Iron Maiden's Flight 666 Was Biggest-Ever Worldwide Simultaneous Release Of Documentary Film|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-s-flight-666-was-biggest-ever-worldwide-simultaneous-release-of-documentary-film/|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=27 October 2014|date=11 May 2009}} Flight 666 was shown in a 2K digital format, with 5.1 surround sound mixed by the band's producer, Kevin Shirley.{{cite web|last1=Cracknell|first1=Nick|title=Iron Maiden: The Movie!|url=http://www.musicradar.com/totalguitar/iron-maiden-the-movie-247838|publisher=MusicRadar|access-date=27 October 2014|date=5 February 2009}}

The screenings on 21 April were very successful, with Arts Alliance Media reporting that it was the largest simultaneous worldwide release of a documentary film. This led to additional showings in some territories, such as in India, where it was released on 8 May by PVR Pictures,{{cite web|title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-iron-maiden-flight-666-1253868|website=Daily News and Analysis|access-date=27 October 2014|date=6 May 2009}} and Australia, where it was screened from 30 April to 6 May.{{cite web|title=Bruce Dickinson Talks Flight 666 Documentary - "...All We Did Was Be In It"|url=http://bravewords.com/news/bruce-dickinson-talks-flight-666-documentary-all-we-did-was-be-in-it|website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|access-date=28 October 2014|date=6 April 2009}}{{cite news|title=The Iron Maiden movie|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/your-brisbane/the-iron-maiden-movie-20090423-agj8.html|access-date=28 October 2014|work=Brisbane Times|date=23 April 2009}} At the UK box office, the film grossed £84,276 (US$123,886),{{cite web|title=United Kingdom Box Office 24–26 April 2009|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/uk/?yr=2009&wk=17¤cy=local&p=.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=27 October 2014}} while making $74,134 in Australia and $35,173 in Russia CIS, totalling $233,193 from the three territories tallied.{{cite web|title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=UK&wk=2009W18&id=_fIRONMAIDENFLIGHT01¤cy=local|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=27 October 2014}}

Flight 666 was welcomed by overwhelmingly positive reviews from the music press and general media. Rock and metal magazines Kerrang! and Metal Hammer each gave the movie full marks, with Kerrang! referring to it as a "unique peek behind the Iron Curtain" that was "not to be missed" and Metal Hammer calling it a "continent-jumping, fire-breathing monster of a film".{{cite journal|last=Milas|first=Alexander|title=Flight 666 Reviews|journal=Metal Hammer|date=21 April 2009|access-date=24 March 2013|url=http://www.ironmaiden.com/flight-666-reviews.html|archive-date=21 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321210107/http://www.ironmaiden.com/flight-666-reviews.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite journal|last=Ruskell |first=Nick |title=Iron Maiden - Flight 666 DVD |journal=Kerrang! |page=55 |access-date=24 March 2013 |url=http://www.ironmaiden.com/oldimages/Kerrang-DVD-review.jpg |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411043802/http://www.ironmaiden.com/oldimages/Kerrang-DVD-review.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 }} Empire gave it 4 stars and felt that the behind the scenes antics were interesting, despite lacking in drama when compared to Metallica: Some Kind of Monster and Anvil! The Story of Anvil, and that the concert footage is "magnificent".{{cite journal|title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666 |journal=Empire |access-date=24 March 2013 |url=http://www.ironmaiden.com/oldimages/Empire%20DVD%20review%20copy.jpg |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411040549/http://www.ironmaiden.com/oldimages/Empire%20DVD%20review%20copy.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 }}

Flight 666 won the "24 Beats Per Second" award for best music documentary at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas,{{cite magazine | url = http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/uncategorized/iron-maiden-win-award-for-movie-at-sxsw/ | title = SXSW award for Flight 666 | last = Bezer | first = Terry | date = 23 March 2009 | access-date = 1 September 2011 | magazine = Metal Hammer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514180604/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/uncategorized/iron-maiden-win-award-for-movie-at-sxsw/|archive-date=14 May 2013}} Music DVD of the Year at 2010's Juno Awards,{{cite web|url=http://junoawards.ca/2010/04/saturday-night-winners/ |title=Juno Winners - 2010 Gala Dinner & Awards |date=18 April 2010 |access-date=1 September 2011 |publisher=Juno Awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426202935/http://junoawards.ca/2010/04/saturday-night-winners/ |archive-date=26 April 2012 }} and Best DVD at the 2009 Metal Storm awards.{{cite web | url = http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2009 | title = Metal Storm 2009 winners | access-date = 6 September 2011 | publisher = Metal Storm}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Iron Maiden: Flight 666

| type = video

| longtype = & live album

| artist = Iron Maiden

| cover =

| alt =

| released = 22 May 2009
9 June 2009 (North America)

| recorded = 1 February – 16 March 2008

| venue = Various concerts throughout the first leg of the Somewhere Back in Time World Tour

| studio =

| genre = Heavy metal

| length = 112:20 (film)
101:28 (concert)

| label = EMI
UM^e (United States)

| producer = Kevin Shirley (audio)

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Iron Maiden

| type = video

| prev_title = Live After Death

| prev_year = 2008

| title = Iron Maiden: Flight 666

| year = 2009

| next_title = En Vivo!

| next_year = 2012

}}

{{Extra chronology

| artist = Iron Maiden live albums

| type = live

| prev_title = Death on the Road

| prev_year = 2005

| title = Flight 666 - The Original Soundtrack

| year = 2009

| next_title = En Vivo!

| next_year = 2012

}}

}}

Iron Maiden: Flight 666 was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 25 May 2009 by EMI.{{cite web | url = http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/iron-maiden-release-flight-666-dvd-details/ | title = Iron Maiden Release Flight 666 DVD Details | last = Bezer | first = Terry | date = 15 April 2009 | access-date = 19 April 2013 | work = Classic Rock|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115061155/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/iron-maiden-release-flight-666-dvd-details/|archive-date=15 January 2010}} In North America, it was issued on 9 June and by Universal Music Enterprises in the US.{{cite web|title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666 Available in the USA 9 June on Blu-ray, 2-DVD Set and Live Soundtrack Album|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aWA7FqLzk.SQ|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=27 October 2014|date=15 April 2009}} In addition to the documentary film, the video contains the full sixteen song setlist from the Somewhere Back in Time World Tour, with each track recorded at a different venue.{{cite magazine|last1=Graff|first1=Gary|author-link1=Gary Graff|title=Iron Maiden's Flight 666 Doc Takes Off|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268935/iron-maidens-flight-666-doc-takes-off|magazine=Billboard|access-date=27 October 2014|date=15 April 2009}} Alongside the DVD and Blu-ray, a double CD soundtrack album was released simultaneously, featuring the same track listing as the video concert footage.{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Jamie|title=Iron Maiden film to get DVD release|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/iron-maiden-film-to-get-dvd-release-203375|publisher=MusicRadar|access-date=27 October 2014|date=15 April 2009}} The DVD and Blu-ray release was particularly successful, peaking at No. 1 in 22 countries including the UK and US.{{cite web | url = http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/iron-maiden-hit-number-one-in-over-20-countries/ | title = Iron Maiden Hit Number One in Over 20 Countries | date = 18 June 2009 | last = Bezer | first = Terry | access-date = 19 April 2013 | work = Metal Hammer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204023122/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/iron-maiden-hit-number-one-in-over-20-countries/|archive-date=4 February 2014}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1544782|first=James|last=Monger|access-date=26 June 2011|title=Iron Maiden - Flight 666}}

| noprose = yes

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Disc One

| extra_column = Original Album

| title1 = Churchill's Speech

| length1 = 0:43

| note1 = 1 February 2008, Mumbai, India

| title2 = Aces High

| writer2 = Steve Harris

| length2 = 4:49

| note2 = 1 February 2008, Mumbai, India

| extra2 = 1984 ~ Powerslave

| title3 = 2 Minutes to Midnight

| writer3 = Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson

| length3 = 5:57

| note3 = 7 February 2008, Melbourne, Australia

| extra3 = 1984 ~ Powerslave

| title4 = Revelations

| writer4 = Dickinson

| length4 = 6:28

| note4 = 9 February 2008, Sydney, Australia

| extra4 = 1983 ~ Piece of Mind

| title5 = The Trooper

| writer5 = Harris

| length5 = 4:01

| note5 = 16 February 2008, Chiba, Japan

| extra5 = 1983 ~ Piece of Mind

| title6 = Wasted Years

| writer6 = Smith

| length6 = 5:07

| note6 = 22 February 2008, Monterrey, Mexico

| extra6 = 1986 ~ Somewhere in Time

| title7 = The Number of the Beast

| writer7 = Harris

| length7 = 5:07

| note7 = 19 February 2008, Inglewood, United States

| extra7 = 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast

| title8 = Can I Play With Madness

| writer8 = Smith, Dickinson, Harris

| length8 = 3:36

| note8 = 24 February 2008, Mexico City, Mexico

| extra8 = 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

| title9 = Rime of the Ancient Mariner

| writer9 = Harris

| length9 = 13:41

| note9 = 14 March 2008, East Rutherford, United States

| extra9 = 1984 ~ Powerslave

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Disc Two

| extra_column = Original Album

| title1 = Powerslave

| writer1 = Dickinson

| length1 = 7:28

| note1 = 26 February 2008, San José, Costa Rica

| extra1 = 1984 ~ Powerslave

| title2 = Heaven Can Wait

| writer2 = Harris

| length2 = 7:35

| note2 = 2 March 2008, São Paulo, Brazil

| extra2 = 1986 ~ Somewhere in Time

| title3 = Run to the Hills

| writer3 = Harris

| length3 = 3:59

| note3 = 28 February 2008, Bogotá, Colombia

| extra3 = 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast

| title4 = Fear of the Dark

| writer4 = Harris

| length4 = 7:32

| note4 = 7 March 2008, Buenos Aires, Argentina

| extra4 = 1992 ~ Fear of the Dark

| title5 = Iron Maiden

| writer5 = Harris

| length5 = 5:26

| note5 = 9 March 2008, Santiago, Chile

| extra5 = 1980 ~ Iron Maiden

| title6 = Moonchild

| writer6 = Smith, Dickinson

| length6 = 7:29

| note6 = 12 March 2008, San Juan, Puerto Rico

| extra6 = 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

| title7 = The Clairvoyant

| writer7 = Harris

| length7 = 4:38

| note7 = 4 March 2008, Curitiba, Brazil

| extra7 = 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

| title8 = Hallowed Be Thy Name

| writer8 = Harris

| length8 = 7:52

| note8 = 16 March 2008, Toronto, Canada

| extra8 = 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast

| total_length = 101:28

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

;Album

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=Canada | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Gold | type=album | access-date=27 April 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5 | date=3 October 2006}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

;Video

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=Argentina | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Platinum | type=video | access-date=27 April 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5}}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=Australia | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Platinum | type=video | access-date=27 April 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5 | certyear=2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=Canada | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Platinum | number=5 | type=video | access-date=27 April 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5 | date=15 October 2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=Finland | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Gold | type=video | access-date=27 April 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5 | certyear=2010 | salesamount=6,046}}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=France | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Platinum | type=video | access-date=27 April 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5 | certyear=2009|certmonth=12|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259165-CERTIFICATIONS.html?year=2009&type=17|title=Certifications Video Platine - année 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005032312/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259165-CERTIFICATIONS.html?year=2009&type=17|archive-date=5 October 2013}}|date=21 December 2009 }}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=Germany | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Platinum | type=video | access-date=27 April 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5 | certyear=2011}}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=United Kingdom | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Gold | type=video | access-date=16 August 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5 |id=9031-1438-5| date=22 July 2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry | region=United States | title=Flight 666 | artist=Iron Maiden | award=Platinum | type=video | access-date=27 April 2013 | relyear=2009 | relmonth=5 | date=9 June 2009}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

Production and performance credits are adapted from the Blu-ray, DVD and soundtrack album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666 DVD |others=Iron Maiden |date=25 May 2009 |publisher=EMI }}{{cite AV media notes |title=Flight 666 - The Original Soundtrack |others=Iron Maiden |date=25 May 2009 |publisher=EMI }}{{cite AV media notes |title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666 Blu-ray |others=Iron Maiden |date=25 May 2009 |publisher=EMI }}

;Iron Maiden

• Bruce Dickinson – vocals
• Dave Murray – guitars
• Janick Gers – guitars
• Adrian Smith – guitars, backing vocals
• Steve Harris – bass, backing vocals, co-producer (concert audio)
• Nicko McBrain – drums

;Additional musician

• Michael Kenney – keyboards

;Film production

• Scot McFadyen – producer, writer, director
• Sam Dunn – producer, writer, director, narrator
• Rod Smallwood – executive producer, band manager
• Stefan Demetriou – executive producer
• Andy Taylor – executive producer, band manager
• Victoria Hirst – co-producer
• Martin Hawkes – director of photography
• Lisa Grooten Boer – editor
• Wendy Hallum Martin – editor
• Mike Munn – editor

;Concert audio production

• Kevin Shirley – producer, mixing
• Jared Kvitka – assistant
• Ryan Smith – mastering
• Dave Pattenden – live audio recording
• Ian Walsh – assistant
• Johnny Burke – assistant
• Tony Newton – assistant

;Additional personnel

• Peacock – art director, design
• John McMurtrie – photography
• Hangman – stage design

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|1361558|title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes|id=iron-maiden-flight-666|title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666}}
• {{TCMDb title|id=774838|title=Iron Maiden: Flight 666}}
• [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r5ylv Iron Maiden: Flight 666] at BBC Online

{{Iron Maiden}}

Category:2009 films

Category:British musical films

Category:Canadian musical documentary films

Category:English-language Canadian films

Category:Concert films

Category:Iron Maiden video albums

Category:Documentary films about heavy metal music and musicians

Category:Documentary films about aviation

Category:Films shot in Chile

Category:Live heavy metal albums

Category:2000s English-language films

Category:2000s Canadian films

Category:2000s British films

Category:English-language documentary films