Favourite flying film?
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Thank you Aero. read the book, saw the movie, don't know that there was a tee shirt but don't have that. It's definately Banshees in the book. As I recalled the movie used Banshees too....but it has been a long time since I've seen the movie so I stand corrected.
There are parts in the book that never made it to the movie because they were n't photogenic I suppose. One was using F4Us lashed to the flight deck to help dock the boat in Japan. Can't believe Mischener would make that up, but an awful use of airplanes. The rescue helo stuff looked pretty good in the movie but kind of "Hollywoodish" and you can't read the end of the book and not remember it.
For another poster asking about Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, No, not at all like Waldo Pepper. MMINFM is a Comedy with a capital C with flying machine stunts etc mixed in and integral to the simple plot. Lots of early pre-WWI type stuff crashing and splintering around.
The Great Waldo Pepper is an American barnstormer type guy who gets into building a better airplane with his friend, friend crashes, bloodthirsty crowd etc. Pure , simple aviator who flys for the fun of it doesn't see it as as much fun after that. Evil bureaucrats introduce licenses and safety standards, rules ,etc because too many aviators are getting killed. Waldo doesn't like it. It really has some good flying in it and non-aviators could possibly get an idea of things maybe if they wanted to. You can even many times get wife/girlfriend of a certain age to hold still for it because of Robert Redford.
There are parts in the book that never made it to the movie because they were n't photogenic I suppose. One was using F4Us lashed to the flight deck to help dock the boat in Japan. Can't believe Mischener would make that up, but an awful use of airplanes. The rescue helo stuff looked pretty good in the movie but kind of "Hollywoodish" and you can't read the end of the book and not remember it.
For another poster asking about Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, No, not at all like Waldo Pepper. MMINFM is a Comedy with a capital C with flying machine stunts etc mixed in and integral to the simple plot. Lots of early pre-WWI type stuff crashing and splintering around.
The Great Waldo Pepper is an American barnstormer type guy who gets into building a better airplane with his friend, friend crashes, bloodthirsty crowd etc. Pure , simple aviator who flys for the fun of it doesn't see it as as much fun after that. Evil bureaucrats introduce licenses and safety standards, rules ,etc because too many aviators are getting killed. Waldo doesn't like it. It really has some good flying in it and non-aviators could possibly get an idea of things maybe if they wanted to. You can even many times get wife/girlfriend of a certain age to hold still for it because of Robert Redford.
The cameo appearance of Chuck Yeager in Pancho's Bar in The Right Stuff is a neat touch as well!
Other cameos:
A real Top Gun ace in the background when the graduating class are having their end-of-class party.
Mick Jagger as a Flt Lt in 'Enigma'
Anyone know of any more?
Other cameos:
A real Top Gun ace in the background when the graduating class are having their end-of-class party.
Mick Jagger as a Flt Lt in 'Enigma'
Anyone know of any more?
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It just has to be 633 squadron.
O'k the special effects using what looks like Airfix kits really show their age these days. However, the flying scenes using real aircraft more than make up for it. To top it all, thanks to the late, great Ron Goodwin, it has what must be the best piece of aviation music ever.
The runners up...
Strategic Air Command,
Aces High,
Battle of Britain
The Sound Barrier
O'k the special effects using what looks like Airfix kits really show their age these days. However, the flying scenes using real aircraft more than make up for it. To top it all, thanks to the late, great Ron Goodwin, it has what must be the best piece of aviation music ever.
The runners up...
Strategic Air Command,
Aces High,
Battle of Britain
The Sound Barrier
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I can't believe no one has mentioned the great Gregory Peck classic; '12 'O' Clock High'.
I grew up in East Anglia, and visited many of the old airfields as a boy. The opening sequence of the old boy riding his bicycle to the perimiter fence of his old base, and remembering as he walked along, how it looked in 1944. The wonderful segway from the wind blowing the grass, to B17 engines blowing the grass....
Utterly believable.
Wonderful film making.
(To say nothing about the most of the flying/fighting sequence's being real!)
WB.
I grew up in East Anglia, and visited many of the old airfields as a boy. The opening sequence of the old boy riding his bicycle to the perimiter fence of his old base, and remembering as he walked along, how it looked in 1944. The wonderful segway from the wind blowing the grass, to B17 engines blowing the grass....
Utterly believable.
Wonderful film making.
(To say nothing about the most of the flying/fighting sequence's being real!)
WB.
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Re Bridges at Toko Ri:
There are parts in the book that never made it to the movie because they were n't photogenic I suppose. One was using F4Us lashed to the flight deck to help dock the boat in Japan.
Not to quibble further, but that scene IS in the movie (although as I recall it's all Skyraiders rather than F4Us).
The flying and carrier flight deck scenes in the movie are quite good.
The US Navy has actually been rather well served with flying movies:
Wing and a Prayer -- lots of TBFs. I won't surprise anyone when I say the plot stinks, but the flying and carrier flight deck scenes are quite good.
Task Force -- traces USN carrier development from the Langley to the end of WW2. Lots of period-appropriate flying scenes for each time period. And the plot is actually quite reasonable!
Wings of Eagles -- though the flying is peripheral to the story.
Nimitz - Final Countdown -- the plot is bizarre, the acting terrible, but the dogfight scene between two F-14s and two Zeros is priceless!
Flight of the Intruder -- the night-time A-6 Intruder missions over North Vietnam are well filmed.
Top Gun -- Love or hate Tom Cruise, the F-14s certainly look good.
There are parts in the book that never made it to the movie because they were n't photogenic I suppose. One was using F4Us lashed to the flight deck to help dock the boat in Japan.
Not to quibble further, but that scene IS in the movie (although as I recall it's all Skyraiders rather than F4Us).
The flying and carrier flight deck scenes in the movie are quite good.
The US Navy has actually been rather well served with flying movies:
Wing and a Prayer -- lots of TBFs. I won't surprise anyone when I say the plot stinks, but the flying and carrier flight deck scenes are quite good.
Task Force -- traces USN carrier development from the Langley to the end of WW2. Lots of period-appropriate flying scenes for each time period. And the plot is actually quite reasonable!
Wings of Eagles -- though the flying is peripheral to the story.
Nimitz - Final Countdown -- the plot is bizarre, the acting terrible, but the dogfight scene between two F-14s and two Zeros is priceless!
Flight of the Intruder -- the night-time A-6 Intruder missions over North Vietnam are well filmed.
Top Gun -- Love or hate Tom Cruise, the F-14s certainly look good.
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my favourite would have to be,flight 711 (or something similar)
its about a guy transferring a crop dusting aircraft from the USA to AUST.(a true story),the guy lost his way through malfunctioning ADF amoungst other things and how an AIR NZ aircraft found him in the pacific.GREAT FILM.
all the other films from years gone by are great,
SAC
BOB
633
RIGHT STUFF
THE MCCONNELL STORY
anything with the sound of a merlin engine always makes the hair on my neck stand up and puts a lump in my throat(must have been a spitty pilot in my former life)
MAXX
its about a guy transferring a crop dusting aircraft from the USA to AUST.(a true story),the guy lost his way through malfunctioning ADF amoungst other things and how an AIR NZ aircraft found him in the pacific.GREAT FILM.
all the other films from years gone by are great,
SAC
BOB
633
RIGHT STUFF
THE MCCONNELL STORY
anything with the sound of a merlin engine always makes the hair on my neck stand up and puts a lump in my throat(must have been a spitty pilot in my former life)
MAXX
Spag, glad you mentioned Flight of the Intruder - it gets my vote and also features a top night out in Subic Bay!
12 o'clock High will feature in the memory of those who went through Cranwell in the eighties. It was used as a study in leadership at the RAF college.
12 o'clock High will feature in the memory of those who went through Cranwell in the eighties. It was used as a study in leadership at the RAF college.
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633, War Lover and Hannover Street - to name but three might never have been made but for the tenacity of John Crewdson who got the men and machines together. I recall seeing five Mosquitos land at Biggin prior to the movie - a great sight.
His own particular flying was a joy. Especially his low flying in the B17's at Bovingdon where the War Lover was made. Sadly he was killed in a Jetranger over The Wash. A sad end to a great career.
Gp.Capt. Mahaddie did a great job in getting the aircraft together for the BoB - but some of those aircraft were, to say the least, a bit iffy!
My films?
633
Dambusters
Right Stuff
War Lover
Magnificent Men
His own particular flying was a joy. Especially his low flying in the B17's at Bovingdon where the War Lover was made. Sadly he was killed in a Jetranger over The Wash. A sad end to a great career.
Gp.Capt. Mahaddie did a great job in getting the aircraft together for the BoB - but some of those aircraft were, to say the least, a bit iffy!
My films?
633
Dambusters
Right Stuff
War Lover
Magnificent Men
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Mercy Mission...
Think I may watch that one again. I recall seeing it quite a few times back in Aero class....
Another "true story" film I found intersting was "Crash Landing, Rescue of Flight 232" with Charlton Heston. Lame title, really, and one of those made-for-TV ones, but gave some background into the pre-crash facilitles/training at Sioux City. The "mock crash" at the beginning is quite interesting - I'd like to see that excercise at an airport here actually. Only gripe I had was that they've rearranged the order of some transmissions etc. But for the "average" viewer it was pretty good. That crash footage sends a shiver down my spine every time...
And I have to say Magnificent Men was pretty good, just for the laughs...
SS
Another "true story" film I found intersting was "Crash Landing, Rescue of Flight 232" with Charlton Heston. Lame title, really, and one of those made-for-TV ones, but gave some background into the pre-crash facilitles/training at Sioux City. The "mock crash" at the beginning is quite interesting - I'd like to see that excercise at an airport here actually. Only gripe I had was that they've rearranged the order of some transmissions etc. But for the "average" viewer it was pretty good. That crash footage sends a shiver down my spine every time...
And I have to say Magnificent Men was pretty good, just for the laughs...
SS
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Gog, the remake of "Memphis belle" is a bit iffey but the original is a master piece. The bit showing the blood transfusion in side a shot up B-17 makes me fill up every time. 
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No4: Maybe a bit from "Dr. Strangelove" (is it really a parody of "Fail Safe"? appropriate for all PPRUNE Forums (except Jet Blast) is
" Gentlemen, Gentlemen...You can't fight here, this is the War Room!"
" Gentlemen, Gentlemen...You can't fight here, this is the War Room!"
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TMMINFM I think is my all time favourite. Some of the best British Actors of the 60's and 70's and some inspired comedy which appeals to anyone remotely intrested in flying. Highlights have got to be-
The Balloon/Blunderbuss Duel over the sewage farm.
Gert Frobe learning to fly from the book (Step One-Get in).
Terry Thomas getting stuck on the train.
I could go on......
On a slightly different note does anyone remember an imported TV show in the 70's called The Aeronauts. Centred around a FAF Mirage III Sqn? Seem to remember it had lots of flying to Africa, bombing things and getting into dogfights with F100's and Mystere IV's. Seemed pretty good at the time-mind you Iwas about 8 yrs old.
Finally, the film/tv series that should have been made- Bomber by Len Deighton, in my opinion the best flying/RAF novel ever written. I was told once that David Putnam wanted to film it instead of Memphis Belle but was prevented from doing so as the money was coming from the USA.
The Balloon/Blunderbuss Duel over the sewage farm.
Gert Frobe learning to fly from the book (Step One-Get in).
Terry Thomas getting stuck on the train.
I could go on......
On a slightly different note does anyone remember an imported TV show in the 70's called The Aeronauts. Centred around a FAF Mirage III Sqn? Seem to remember it had lots of flying to Africa, bombing things and getting into dogfights with F100's and Mystere IV's. Seemed pretty good at the time-mind you Iwas about 8 yrs old.
Finally, the film/tv series that should have been made- Bomber by Len Deighton, in my opinion the best flying/RAF novel ever written. I was told once that David Putnam wanted to film it instead of Memphis Belle but was prevented from doing so as the money was coming from the USA.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Cor, the Aeronauts, yes, we are of an age!!! Tanguy and er, the other guy (wasn't he always scruffy?).
Around then I can also remember reading books from the library about a Norwegian fighter squadron - they were on Sabres I think... I know there were bits about flying to Bodo and other places like that - anyone remember them (or maybe just it)? Blimey, you've just carried me back thirty years!
Bomber - brilliant book. My second hand copy is now so second hand I need to find another copy...
Around then I can also remember reading books from the library about a Norwegian fighter squadron - they were on Sabres I think... I know there were bits about flying to Bodo and other places like that - anyone remember them (or maybe just it)? Blimey, you've just carried me back thirty years!
Bomber - brilliant book. My second hand copy is now so second hand I need to find another copy...
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Ah yes, The Aeronauts, two French chappies dashing about the sky in those delta wing Mirages. I too remember watching the program in the early/mid 70s, although I have to say I can't remember any of the plotlines now. Dubbed into English by the same voice-over artists who did The Flashing Blade, Robison Crusoe and White Horses, etc, if I recall correctly.
I suspect it was only shown in some parts of the UK though since I get blank looks whenever I mention it to friends of a similar age brought up outside the South East.
Anyway, diversion aside, back to the purpose of this thread: what is my favourite flying film?
I go along with all of the candidates mentioned so far, but I'm a bit surprised no one has mentioned either Command Decision (1948 -staring Gregory Peck), or The Dawn Patrol (1938 - staring Errol Flynn & David Niven). They're both good films that are still very watchable now, even though each of them is well over 50 years old.
Am I in a minority of one here or is there anyone else who agrees with me that these two should be in with a shout?
Boxkite
I suspect it was only shown in some parts of the UK though since I get blank looks whenever I mention it to friends of a similar age brought up outside the South East.
Anyway, diversion aside, back to the purpose of this thread: what is my favourite flying film?
I go along with all of the candidates mentioned so far, but I'm a bit surprised no one has mentioned either Command Decision (1948 -staring Gregory Peck), or The Dawn Patrol (1938 - staring Errol Flynn & David Niven). They're both good films that are still very watchable now, even though each of them is well over 50 years old.
Am I in a minority of one here or is there anyone else who agrees with me that these two should be in with a shout?
Boxkite
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Favourite Films
Boxkite,
I apologise for being pedantic, but I believe that you will find that " Command Decision" starred Clarke Gable, Walter Pidgeon and Van Johnson. Gregory Peck starred in " Twelve O'Clock High",
one of the greatest air films ever made.
sabredog
I apologise for being pedantic, but I believe that you will find that " Command Decision" starred Clarke Gable, Walter Pidgeon and Van Johnson. Gregory Peck starred in " Twelve O'Clock High",
one of the greatest air films ever made.
sabredog
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Sabredog I stand corrected!
A quick look at Halliwell's Film Guide confirms that you are right: I've mixed up Command Decision and Twelve O'Clock High.
I suspect that's because they're both about the psychological effects and consequences of leadership as much as the flying sequences, which is why I think they, along with The Dawn Patrol, are so good.
So, that makes 3 candidates to add to the ones mentioned previously:
Command Decision
Twelve O'Clock High
The Dawn Patrol
I list them in that order as that's my personal preference - and, for what it's worth, I'd put Aces High in fourth place as it touches on similar themes although not, in my opinion, quite as effectively
A quick look at Halliwell's Film Guide confirms that you are right: I've mixed up Command Decision and Twelve O'Clock High.
I suspect that's because they're both about the psychological effects and consequences of leadership as much as the flying sequences, which is why I think they, along with The Dawn Patrol, are so good.
So, that makes 3 candidates to add to the ones mentioned previously:
Command Decision
Twelve O'Clock High
The Dawn Patrol
I list them in that order as that's my personal preference - and, for what it's worth, I'd put Aces High in fourth place as it touches on similar themes although not, in my opinion, quite as effectively