Best Aviation Films of All Time (?)

[Zack Baughman]

National Air & Space Museum curator Dom Pisano put together a list of his top ten American aviation films for NASM's "AirSpace" blog published today. Take a look at the list here: http://blog.nasm.si.edu/2012/03/28/the-ten-best-american-aviation-genre-films-of-all-time-a-highly-personal-and-idiosyncratic-list/

Notwithstanding his qualifications that the films be American, what are your "top ten" aviation/aerospace films?

While it's very hard for me to nail down just ten, here are some of mine, in no particular order:

- The Great Waldo Pepper
- Porco Rosso (animated is allowed for this thread)
- The Battle of Britain
- Dark Blue World
- Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines
- Twelve O'Clock High
- Fate is the Hunter
- The Hunters
- The Rocketeer
- Catch 22
- The Right Stuff
- Apollo 13

Okay, so a few more than ten...

[Joe LaMantia]

Here's a few more, not necessarily my top choices but good movies:

"The High and Mighty" Ernie Gann wrote the book and was the tech advisor for the film that starred "John Wayne"!
"The Blue Max" Fun WWI era.
"The Bridges at Toko Re" Korean War story.
"Top Gun" Tom Cruise Jet Jock
My all time favorite "The Spirt of St. Louis" with Jimmy Stewart.
The "Flight of the Phoenix" the one staring Jimmy Stewart once again.
"Memphis Belle" the original was the best, the Hollywood re-make was pretty entertaining as well.

In sure more will come to mind as others post.

Joe
:cool:

[Dana]

"Waldo Pepper" has gotta be on the top of many pilot's lists. "Wings" is another one of the greats (I saw that one in a semi private showing in the mid 1970s by a guy who claimed to have what was then the only existing copy). I saw "The Right Stuff" just recently for the first time and I was underwhelmed... the flying scenes were unrealistic and it dragged way too long. I had high hopes for "Flyboys" but the bad CGI animation was thoroughly disappointing. I'm still wanting to see "Hell's Angels" and "Dawn Patrol", two more of the classic 1930s epics, as well as the very rare film adaptation of Richard Bach's "Nothing by Chance".

[Zack Baughman]

There's just something about The Right Stuff that I like, although I agree it is a bit long in the tooth. I do think it captures that period of flight test pretty well, and I LOVE this scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cq7hf4ylvY

I know that the movie Memphis Belle gets panned by aviation buffs, but I still really enjoy it. I realize that all of that "stuff" didn't actually happen on the last mission of the Belle, but quite a bit of those types of events DID happen over the course of 25 missions. So what other aviation and/or space related films stand out for you folks?

Zack

[Kyle Boatright]

You've gotta include "Always".

[Bob Dingley]

Good list Zack. Here are two more;
"633 Squadron" Cliff Robinson and Mosquitos.

"Fighter Squadron" - 8th AF - filmed with Hiawian ANG P-47s - Featured Robert Stack, call sign
"Haystack". I regret that I cannot find a vid anywhere.

Bob

[Zack Baughman]

You've gotta include "Always".I can't believe I left it off my list! One of THE best! Although aviation only plays a relatively small part in it, another Spielberg favorite of mine is Empire of the Sun.

[Floatsflyer]

"The Aviator", "Midway", and "I Bombed Pearl Harbour", a very insightful,accurately told Japanese film told from the Japanese pov.

[MEdwards]

Here's a suggestion of a different sort. Not a movie, but a documentary television series called "Air Power," from the mid-fifties. It was narrated by Walter Cronkite and apparently was CBS's answer to NBC's excellent "Victory at Sea."

There's a poor DVD version available that is so hacked up, so heavily edited, that it's not half as good as the original. Delightful scenes of early aviation are condensed into seconds, and even the dramatic music by Norman Dello Joio is hacked to pieces. If you can get hold of an original version, it's great to watch. Sure would be wonderful if the EAA store somehow could make a full original version available for sale.

[steveinindy]

"Waldo Pepper" has gotta be on the top of many pilot's lists.

I had never even heard of it before this thread.

"The Dambusters" has to be one of my favorites. I happen to really love the primary piece of music in it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=871PPh5W6vI It's one of my favorite pieces to play on the violin.

[1200AGL]

[/URL][URL="http://www.thesunshipgame.com/"]The Sun Ship Game (http://www.thesunshipgame.com/)

[Matt Gonitzke]

The Sun Ship Game (http://www.thesunshipgame.com/)

+1...Also, Dawn Flight. :cool:

[rosiejerryrosie]

I had never even heard of it before this thread.

"The Dambusters" has to be one of my favorites. I happen to really love the primary piece of music in it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=871PPh5W6vI It's one of my favorite pieces to play on the violin.

You gotta see Waldo Pepper, Steve. It's almost as good as "The Dambusters". BTW did you see the documentary where they recreated the development and testing of the bombs and the technique originaly used? Arnie Schroder of "Ice Pilots" fame flew the airplane that dropped the recreated bomb. Great video.

[steveinindy]

The Sun Ship Game (http://www.thesunshipgame.com/)


+1...Also, Dawn Flight. :cool:

Never heard of either of those.....

[steveinindy]

BTW did you see the documentary where they recreated the development and testing of the bombs and the technique originaly used? Arnie Schroder of "Ice Pilots" fame flew the airplane that dropped the recreated bomb. Great video.

Nope but I will definitely go and look for the documentary. Do you recall what it was called?

I've also never seen "Ice Pilots". I honestly don't watch a lot of TV and after watching a couple episodes of "Flying Wild Alaska" and having to drink to suppress the urge to mail copies of my autopsy report release forms to the pilots featured therein, I'm hesitant to watch any more aviation based "reality" TV .

[rosiejerryrosie]

Nope but I will definitely go and look for the documentary. Do you recall what it was called?

I've also never seen "Ice Pilots". I honestly don't watch a lot of TV and after watching a couple episodes of "Flying Wild Alaska" and having to drink to suppress the urge to mail copies of my autopsy report release forms to the pilots featured therein, I'm hesitant to watch any more aviation based "reality" TV .

Judy just googled it - It was called "Bombing Hitler's Dams", a NOVA presentation on PBS. Check out http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/bombing-hitler-dams/html. The science of it should interest you.


Oops. The direct link doesn't seem to work. Try www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova) and click through to military and bombing-hitler-dams, or google it to get a direct link that might work better.

Yeah -- that works. Just takes a few more clicks to get there. Left side navigation - click on Military-espionage, then full episodes and it is about the 3rd or 4th choice. Enjoy

[1200AGL]

+1...Also, Dawn Flight. :cool:

Never heard of that one--I'll look it up. :)


Never heard of either of those.....

Here's a clip from the Sun Ship Game that someone used for a presentation (the graphics were not part of the movie):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qnLmXtU-I0

That's all I could find immediately on youtube.

[Frank Giger]

Surely you couldn't leave out Airplane!

[steveinindy]

Thanks Jerry. I owe you lunch at Oshkosh or something.

[Floatsflyer]

Surely you couldn't leave out Airplane!


We couldn't......and don't call me shirley!!

[Hal Bryan]

"Fighter Squadron" - 8th AF - filmed with Hiawian ANG P-47s - Featured Robert Stack, call sign
"Haystack". I regret that I cannot find a vid anywhere.

Bob

Hi Bob - I got my copy from the Warner Archive collection, but they don't seem to be listing it right now. However, it is available here: http://www.amazon.com/Fighter-Squadron-Edmond-OBrien/dp/B0038FPDSS

(http://www.amazon.com/Fighter-Squadron-Edmond-OBrien/dp/B0038FPDSS)Cheers -

Hal

[BruceAir]

Air & Space Smithsonian published a more extensive list (starting here (http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/flyboys.html?c=y&page=11)) as part of a feature about Flyboys.

I added a few suggestions, including some series, here (http://bruceair.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/aviation-movies/).

[Rick Rademacher]

Although it was a made for TV movie, I have always like the flying sequences in Birds of Prey with David Janssen.

[Zack Baughman]

Although it was a made for TV movie, I have always like the flying sequences in Birds of Prey with David Janssen.

This? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069787/

[Rick Rademacher]

Yes, Zack I should have included the link! I saw it when I was a little bit younger. Thanks


Rick

[rawheels]

Another great documentary is "Barnstorming"; Just a group of pilots having a great time together.
http://www.barnstormingmovie.com/

[steveinindy]

That "Bombing Hitler's Dams" documentary was great. I highly, highly recommend it.

[Cherokeeflyer]

1950s UK aviation at its best....the birth of the jet engine , test beds, de haviland factory scenes, filmed in B/W infra Red to highten the contrast of the clouds against blue sky...great acting and wonderful script....not to be missed.

[Ron Blum]

"Skyward" with Bette Davis and Suzie Gilstrap (directed by Ron Howard). It was a TV movie by GE Aviation Theater. They need to bring it back. Suzie is a handicapped, young lady and learns to fly from a crotchety, old, flight instructor, Bette Davis. Great movie ... but I was young and impressionable when it aired (1980).

"Barnstorming" is good, too. Real people, real airplanes, real world and real interesting.

[Rick Galati]

An excellent little known aviation film that deserves far more attention is "Dark Blue World."

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Blue-World-Ondrej-Vetchy/dp/B0000648X2/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

This film not only showcases the legendary British Spitfire but serves as a helpful primer to historical fact as to Czech involvement in the allied war effort during WWII. And that effort was heroic indeed. The production values and especially the cinematography of this Czech produced film are every bit as good as anything American audiences are accustomed to. But it was the humanity of the characters that made this particular story so compelling. For instance, the Czech wing commander, upon returning from a training mission with his young pilot officers did not display the slightest hesitation in eagerly seeking out his dog for a gentle and playful romp in full view of his young subordinates. You would never see John Wayne or Gregory Peck display such affection for a dog in similiar circumstances. Another altered perspective unfamiliar to most American viewers had to do with aerial tactics...allowing the engineer and fireman of a rolling supply train to evacuate before aerial straffing began. As a long time aviation buff, I purchased this movie because of the promise of airplanes. The movie does not disappoint. Some technical details were noted by this viewer for the very first time, such as the distinctive thud of landing gear doors slamming shut on departing Spitfires, even a tailwheel casually rotating about its axis during a bouncy, grassy landing. From an action point of view, the flying sequences were excellent and Spitfires were plentiful. But to me, the real draw came to be the bonding of men in perilous times, and for the Czech pilots who fought with the RAF in WW11, because of this movie I learned the process did not realize full closure until the early 1990's. Highly recommended.

[Pete Groves]

Cloud Dancer!

(made with lots of EAA involvement)

[Hal Bryan]

Cloud Dancer!

(made with lots of EAA involvement)

I just (finally) got a copy of that one at Sun 'n Fun - long overdue!

[tbs677]

A few years back on cable, I saw Steve McQueen in The War Lover and I would say worth watching. Many years ago I saw the Piece of Cake series on PBS and bought it. For the most part the flying and story go together well. And there is nothing like watching those low passes. I never tired of watching it and did view it so many times, I'm surprised the tape held out. You should have seen the wife rolling her eyes, when I pulled the tapes out.... priceless. The only problem I have with it now is I no longer own a VHS (conspiracy? I think so). I guess one day i'll need to convert it to disk or buy the DVD. Ben

[Felixp51]

Piece of cake
Wonderful series about a British
squadron going to France before and
during ww2 .
Recommend it strongly !


ps
It is available on DVD

[waldrrd]

Great Waldo Pepper! My wife is sick of seeing it. Also, "Always" is a good romantic remake of "A Guy Named Joe".

[bsquared01]

How about "High Road to China". "The ox is slow, but the earth is patient", great line from the movie.

[lwuest]

"Islands in the Sky" One of my all time favorites and never makes anyones list. Ernie Gann wrote it and the Duke starred in it, JW played his role serious and without any bravado. Lots of great DC-3 footage in the Canadian north land, and great insite into the mindset required to survive a remote aircraft accident. The first time I saw it was after hours at an ALPA crash investigation course in the late 1990's.

Some of the best black and white DC-3 footage I have ever seen, inside the aircraft and out.

Amazon has it on DVD. Great quality footage

Luke

[Sirota]

Just saw it last week; the newly restored Wings with Clara Bow. 1927 movie with REAL flying - not computer generated. First picture to win Best Picture Academy Award. Go see it - it's great!

[spungey]

Only slightly askew ... Just watched the Tuskeegee video on the EAA site: http://bcove.me/18kjb3oh. Isn't that Ronald Reagan narrating?

[Vin Rampey]

ONE SIX RIGHT

We have nearly worn out our copy of this DVD we have watched it so many times....between the historical perspective, the photography and the music I have to say this has become our favorite movie of all time.

[Hiperbiper]

While I like (and own) most all of the films mentioned above I have recently been reminded of the true story of Janine Shepherd; "Never tell me Never".
Owning to the fact is wasn't made in Hollyweird it has a real story that hasn't been bastardised in the making.
The flying was good, the vistas were authentic and the story was entertaining.

Chris