<P> Night Crossing is a 1982 British - American drama film starring John Hurt , Jane Alexander and Beau Bridges . The film is based on the true story of the Strelzyk and Wetzel families , who on September 16 , 1979 , attempted escape from East Germany to West Germany in a homemade hot air balloon , during the days of the Inner German border - era , when emigration to West Germany was strictly prohibited by the East German government . It was the final film directed by Delbert Mann . </P>
<P> Night Crossing is a 1982 British - American drama film starring John Hurt , Jane Alexander and Beau Bridges . The film is based on the true story of the Strelzyk and Wetzel families , who on September 16 , 1979 , attempted escape from East Germany to West Germany in a homemade hot air balloon , during the days of the Inner German border - era , when emigration to West Germany was strictly prohibited by the East German government . It was the final film directed by Delbert Mann . </P>
escape from germany in a hot air balloon
escape from germany in a hot air balloon
Night Crossing
Night Crossing