Best & Worst Mil Aviation Film and Why
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Surprised no one else has mentioned Battle of Britain.
Re Erroyl Flynn: I had forgotten 'Dawn Patrol', where I understand more stunt pilots died than the USAF has suffered casualties in some recent wars. The final scenes in 'The Great Waldo Pepper' were set in very similar circumstances. (Not a war-ie, but having sat through TGWP again recently, it still stands as one of the better aviation movies I've seen.) I was thinking more of Erroyl Flynn's utterly awful efforts to boost the war effort in WW2, particularly that one set in Burma where he showed that Bill Slim and the whole 14th Army could have stayed at home in Blighty for the duration, 'cos Erroyl cleaned up the entire Japanese Army all on his own with that inexhaustible magazine he had on this Thompson Gun.
Last edited by Wiley; 29th Nov 2007 at 12:54. Reason: Subject of my lust's name amended to the correct name, thanks to the headsup from dakkg651 in post 28.
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The best thing in 12 O'Clock High is the opening sequence. They actually land a B17 wheels up for, and close to, the cameras. Also other boys in the circuit rolling out on "final" at about 20'. But for me its The Way to the Stars.
Strategic Air Command with Jimmy Stewart.
Magestic sequence of B-36 at altitude with appropriate lilting music.
Magestic sequence of B-36 at altitude with appropriate lilting music.
I recorded it to my TV/DVD recorder and will post some appropriate awe inspiring screen shots in due course.
A bit about the base at which the film was shot can be found here:
http://www.7bwb-36assn.org/b36genhistpg3.html
War Films
My fav - We were Soldiers
I think that Finding Private Ryan went a long way in trying to introduce the true realism of battle.
Worst - Behind enemy Lines - Just how long did that air to air missile fly for and make 90 degree spot turns? Oh and Gene Hackman (was he the Admiral?) shouting the guys name down the microphone and then saying "Oh I shouldn`t have said that should I". Groan.
I think that Finding Private Ryan went a long way in trying to introduce the true realism of battle.
Worst - Behind enemy Lines - Just how long did that air to air missile fly for and make 90 degree spot turns? Oh and Gene Hackman (was he the Admiral?) shouting the guys name down the microphone and then saying "Oh I shouldn`t have said that should I". Groan.
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Wiley
Susan Hampshire was actually Susanna York and I don't think they were issue panties!
You are right about getting the blood coursing though.
With the BoB and Dambusters My other favourite film is The Bridges at Toki Ri. Panthers off an Essex carrier, great special effects (mostly) and Grace Kelly in a swimsuit.
Anyone remember the film 'High Flight' starring Anthony Newley which follow the progress of RAF ab initios through Piston Provosts and Vampires to flying the Hunter?
Terrible storyline but worth seeing for the flying sequences and hearing that wonderful bluenote.
I think Pearl Harbour might possibly be the worst. Can't be sure as I got p*****d off after the first half hour and consigned it to the bin.
Susan Hampshire was actually Susanna York and I don't think they were issue panties!
You are right about getting the blood coursing though.
With the BoB and Dambusters My other favourite film is The Bridges at Toki Ri. Panthers off an Essex carrier, great special effects (mostly) and Grace Kelly in a swimsuit.
Anyone remember the film 'High Flight' starring Anthony Newley which follow the progress of RAF ab initios through Piston Provosts and Vampires to flying the Hunter?
Terrible storyline but worth seeing for the flying sequences and hearing that wonderful bluenote.
I think Pearl Harbour might possibly be the worst. Can't be sure as I got p*****d off after the first half hour and consigned it to the bin.
Yes, Him
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Mr Wiley, you appear to be geographically challenged. York not Hants.
Unfortunately, entirely the wrong shots here.
I understand that the rest of the film was about aeroplanes or something.
Unfortunately, entirely the wrong shots here.
I understand that the rest of the film was about aeroplanes or something.
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without doubt the battle of britain, if that film fails to stir then somethingis wrong with you...
although black and white films, angels one five is a favourite of mine
although black and white films, angels one five is a favourite of mine
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I've always had a soft spot for Clint Eastwood in Firefox, the thinking man's aircraft! That and the recruiting film with the Vangelis soundtrack (12 Sqn Buccaneers?) got me to sign on the dotted line.
CB
CB
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12 Sqn Buccs is good and still available (on ebay!) but no one has mentioned The Right Stuff - Well the first half anyway with actual footage of Glennis!- the space bit gets a bit tedious later.
Regards
Xraf
Regards
Xraf
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....I can't believe no one has mentioned the Iron Eagle films yet 
F-16's with about 400 bombs and 57 missiles on a rescue mission to save his dad all whilst listening to Queen with a cassette player strapped to his leg. Magic
F-16's with about 400 bombs and 57 missiles on a rescue mission to save his dad all whilst listening to Queen with a cassette player strapped to his leg. Magic
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Coastal Command
B/W War documentary from about 1942...
my favourite bit:
As the Eng is struggling to plug a massive fuel leak in the wing root of a Sunderland, one of the Wop/AG's in the vicinity has to to told to put his fag out!!!
my favourite bit:
As the Eng is struggling to plug a massive fuel leak in the wing root of a Sunderland, one of the Wop/AG's in the vicinity has to to told to put his fag out!!!
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I wondered when someone was going to mention Iron Eagle. The old joke still stands : 'Have you ever seen a worse film than 'Iron Eagle' ?' 'Yep, Iron Eagle 2, 3, 4, 17...'
The fighter world's answer to Police Academy.
The fighter world's answer to Police Academy.
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In trying to educate our US colleagues out here in sandy places, I showed the The Dambusters (1955 version) just yesterday over a pizza and nea-beer! Despite much gnashing of teeth when forementioned hound made his first appearance the concensus was 'brilliant', 'awesome' and 'best flight movie I've seen'.
Not sure if these foreign votes count against the survey or not, but the Dambusters gets my vote every time!!!
Not sure if these foreign votes count against the survey or not, but the Dambusters gets my vote every time!!!
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Another magic film sequence is Steve Mcqueen beating up the control tower with a B17 in The War Lover.
Also, if you have the Battle of Britain on DVD, try stop framing the moment that the attacking Hispano (Me109) passes over the airfield fence in the early part of the film. I estimate that the prop tips were less than two feet clear of the top strand! Awesome!
Also, if you have the Battle of Britain on DVD, try stop framing the moment that the attacking Hispano (Me109) passes over the airfield fence in the early part of the film. I estimate that the prop tips were less than two feet clear of the top strand! Awesome!
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A few people have mentioned the movie ‘Memphis Belle’, which, while an enjoyable piece of fiction, was a crock and bore no resemblance at all to the actual events it is supposed to portray.
Has anyone seen the original ‘Memphis Belle’ documentary made by Howard Hawkes in 1943, when he and his film crew accompanied the crew of the ‘Memphis Belle’ on their 25th mission over Europe? (They were the first USAAF crew to complete a 25 mission tour with the 8th Air Force.) It has some very good air to air shots of contrailing B17s in mass formation and Bf109s making quarter attacks on the aircraft carrying the cameras – and not staged either, but for real. However, what was really outstanding was the way the very young captain managed his crew during the fighter attacks. Professional in the extreme - it was like watching a really sharp crew handling a really tough sim. session and getting nothing wrong.
Has anyone seen the original ‘Memphis Belle’ documentary made by Howard Hawkes in 1943, when he and his film crew accompanied the crew of the ‘Memphis Belle’ on their 25th mission over Europe? (They were the first USAAF crew to complete a 25 mission tour with the 8th Air Force.) It has some very good air to air shots of contrailing B17s in mass formation and Bf109s making quarter attacks on the aircraft carrying the cameras – and not staged either, but for real. However, what was really outstanding was the way the very young captain managed his crew during the fighter attacks. Professional in the extreme - it was like watching a really sharp crew handling a really tough sim. session and getting nothing wrong.
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Here is my opinion, I know you've all be waiting for it:
best: Battle of Britain
worst: Top Gun - that film we all love to hate.
I think Hotshots is an underdog, I've seen it two or three times and only just noticed that there little in the way of continuity in the way of aircraft, even in the same flight sequence
best: Battle of Britain
worst: Top Gun - that film we all love to hate.
I think Hotshots is an underdog, I've seen it two or three times and only just noticed that there little in the way of continuity in the way of aircraft, even in the same flight sequence