View Full Version : New Movie - The Red Baron
Last night was the world premier in Berlin of a new movie that looks great. The Red Baron. Already the BBC are raising the question 'is it ok to have movies of german war heroes'?.
The Red Baron was arguably the best pilot of WW1, claiming somewhere in the order of 80 allied aircraft. It is about time we stopped expecting the current generation of Germans to say 'sorry for the war'.
I think the film looks excellent on the trailers. We only seem to have heroes on winning sides, and villains on the losing side. The Red Baron was an airman of oustanding, indeed exceptional ability.
I look forward to seeing it.
Should this film really be hijacked (scuse the pun) by the pc brigade?
A clip of the some aerial sequences. The film should have most pilots shuffling round their seats. It seems that with CG they have achieved what Howard Huges dreamt of doing in his movies. Must be made into the next ' Flt sim entertainment ride'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJghJNAjc1k
dakkg651
1st Apr 2008, 13:22
Can't see the problem.
We have had films such as Das Boot and The Blue Max.
I hope they have gone for accuracy - especially the bit where Snoopy shoots him down.
Occasional Aviator
1st Apr 2008, 13:23
Who does the research for the BBC? (OK, I should know better than to ask that...)
Germany in WW1 was one of the former 'Great Powers' of Europe and went to war because of misunderstandings and paranoia. I am assuming that the objection to having German war heroes on the box is due to an association with Naziism - which wasn't really a player until the 1930s.
In any case, war movies are about people, usually ordinary people, in extreme situations. I don't see that they're any less valid than any other type of film. In fact, I'd rather sit down to a well-researched film about a German war hero than any 'Die Hard' type movie with one-dimensional 'goodies' and 'baddies'.
Wensleydale
1st Apr 2008, 13:59
I'm still waiting for the newspaper headline...
"ARCHDUKE FERDINAND FOUND ALIVE. WORLD WAR ONE WAS A MISTAKE"
South Bound
1st Apr 2008, 14:23
OA, agree completely. In these days where it is inevitable that many of us will question the political motive and justification for how we are employed, it is particularly interesting to see a perspective from the 'other side'. Clint Eastwood's twin Iwo Jima movies tried the same thing (not seen, can't comment). It would be a sad world if we were not permitted to admire bravery and skill because of the actions of those that came after and told us how history was to be portrayed.
(Still, it will get my heckles up as the 'Baron sends Biggles spiralling to the ground!)
geniculate
1st Apr 2008, 15:14
Looks good :ok:
For a sequel, how about a movie on Adolf Galland. Would be a great film, but you'd bet the BBC will get in a froth about it!
Ewan Whosearmy
1st Apr 2008, 15:24
Tigs
Be fair. The BBC is *not* asking whether it's OK to have German war heroes portrayed on screen - it is simply reporting that some German critics are asking whether it will be acceptable to the German public, and reporting that the exploits of the Nazis made Germany ashamed of its entire military history.
I know that BBC News is but a shadow of its former self, but on this occasion they are simply reporting the reaction in Germany.
davejb
1st Apr 2008, 15:30
Actually, it wasn't Ferdinand -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5a9m_t6PN0
As Baldrick explains, it was all to do with a guy called Archie Duke who shot an ostrich....
November4
1st Apr 2008, 15:41
The Red Baron (English version) (http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=39512&hl=red%20baron&st=0)site with film clip
Seems to be being picked apart already....Great War Forum (http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=39512&hl=red%20baron&st=0)
Was I hallucinating, or did they show von Richthofen hanging around with Roy Brown (who's wearing a Military Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross, when he was actually awarded the Distinguished Service Cross & Bar)?
tonker
1st Apr 2008, 18:37
Das Boot is one the best war films ever, don't see a problem with it.
ps as long as the Red Barron isn,t Tom Cruise/Matt Damon and come from the US and A
High_lander
1st Apr 2008, 19:16
Letters from Iowa Jima and Flags of Our Fathers is a fantastic set of films- I bought the two at once, and I must say- one of the better war films I bought.
Letters from... especially so- would've surprised many people that the Japanese weren't all for suicide
High Lander
Agreed, and you really can't watch one without watching the other.