‘American Skyjacker’ brings one of St. Louis’ wildest true-crime tales to the big screen

In 1972, Martin McNally hijacked American Airlines Flight 119 out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport – and years of chaos ensued. His story inspired the 2020 true crime podcast “American Skyjacker.” Now, a feature documentary film of the same name premieres in St. Louis on Friday, Oct.17 at Ronnie’s Cinema. St. Louis on the Air producer Danny Wicentowski’s 2017 cover story for the Riverfront Times first brought McNally’s story to the attention of filmmakers Eli Kooris and Josh Shaffer. Wicentowski and Kooris break down the ins and outs of the notorious skyjacking, and what it took to transform it into a film.