Tom Hanks plays pilot 'Sully' in new film

2009's Hudson River plane crash is still fresh in the minds of many - and it's about to get fresher.

New movie 'Sully', which stars Tom Hanks and was directed by Clint Eastwood, is based on the events of the so-called 'Miracle on the Hudson' and the plane's captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger.

The pilot and his deputy struck a flock of birds in the crash, but safely landed on the New York river, saving the lives of all 155 people on board. Hanks told reporters at the New York premiere that he was thrilled to get the chance to play Sully. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOM HANKS, ACTOR, SAYING: "If this man does his job perfectly no one even knows his name at the end of his career outside of a few people in the industry.

And also that he had very, very, very little time to figure out what to do and realized totally on instant. He is the guy who walks on board a plane and tells everybody in every seat, 'you relax I will take care of you.'

That is a compelling man right off the bat." Sully himself was at the premiere and said he was honoured by the film. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHESLEY "SULLY" SULLENBERGER, SAYING: "It's otherworldly. It's hard to describe what it is like to see such talented people portray you on screen and speak your words and live your life on film.

It was a very emotional experience for my family and I when we saw it for the first time." 'Sully' opens in cinemas in the US on September 9.