When VIDICOM won Air France's exclusive permission to film on board the Concorde during two flights, the "Thundering Beauty" was still said to be the safest airplane in the world. In 30 years of supersonic aviation, very few camera crews have ever won the privilege to enter the restricted VIP world aboard the elite airliner.

We were very happy about this rare opportunity to capture the atmosphere in passenger cabin and cockpit and to meet some members of the exclusive "Concorde club" on board, including former US foreign minister Henry Kissinger.

We did not know that our images captured the end of an era. Shortly afterwards, the character of the project changed in the most tragic and unexpected way. The eventful story of a futuristic vision come true turned into an investigative thriller.

We feel grateful and honored for the readiness of some of the victims' family members and other eye witnesses to work with us. Their memories helped us retrace the darkest chapter in the Concorde story.

One of the most intense moments during production was the first TV interview ever of air traffic controller Gilles Logelin, who was in contact with the pilots until the very end. He shared the most traumatic moments in his career with us.

When The Concorde Story was aired commemorating the crash, it received tremendous media attention and drew an extraordinary audience response in France and Germany.

• "The 'accident' on July 25th, 2000, marked the end of a dream, but not that of the myth. ... Peter Bardehle ... reminds us of one of the greatest aviation adventures in this century in a lively documentary that blends current and historic images. A saga featuring investigation, politics, economics and espionage."
  (Le Monde)
• "A documentary with an extraordinary story: In 1999, to mark the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Concorde's first flight, a German film crew gets authorization to film the airplane reputedly the world's safest in-flight. One year later, the catastrophe of Gonesse occurs out-of-the-blue. ... The destiny of this mythical airplane is remarkably well retraced."
  (Le Figaro)
• "This documentary retraces the story of an incredible bird ... [and] does not forget to interrogate the future of supersonic aviation."
  (L'Independant)
• "A worthwhile investigation. Implausibilities in the official version of the crash are uncovered. Moreover, this well-researched film reports on the suffering of the victim's family members, the cynical 'recruiting attempts' of sensationalist American lawyers and about a trial for damages that has written legal history."
  (Die Welt)
• "An illuminating and critical documentary that uncovered many absurdities and screw-ups. Well-made and exciting - a true thriller."
  (Pirmasenser Zeitung)
• "The official examination by the responsible authorities has remained strangely incomplete. ... The real causes of the Concorde crash near Paris are more complex and diverse than has yet been known."
  (Thüringische Landeszeitung)