Since at least two of us have mentioned "The War Lover", here's a clip showing some of the B-17 low passes that really make it stand out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGGynxYbA48
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Since at least two of us have mentioned "The War Lover", here's a clip showing some of the B-17 low passes that really make it stand out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGGynxYbA48
Final Countdown, two Tomcats dog-fighting a pair of Zero,s, awesome and lots of good carrier shots.
As an asside we toured the Midway in San Diego, very cool, they show how carrier operations work. Great tour, plan on spending the whole day.
Ray
Oh, in THAT case: 633 Squadron, The Blue Max, Twelve O'Clock High. The fact that I own the books each was based on probably has a lot to do with it, as does the fantastic music each features.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zack Baughman
633 Squadron is an old favorite; I saw it in a rural theater (Wing, ND) when staying on my grandparent's farm for the summer. Yet it suffers a bit with a more-mature viewpoint; the plot is a bit stereotyped. Good flying scenes, with actual aircraft for the most part (though it uses ME-108s instead of 109s) It matches the book pretty well, except the movie changed the Squadron Leader to a Canadian to explain Robertson's accent. For those interested, the Robertson character survives, in the book. Music is fan-damn-tastic; took me 15 years to find the soundtrack, but I finally did. Heard it playing in a K-Mart once.
The Blue Max has a great plot, and a bunch of great actors (though I keep expecting Willy to do the Time Warp (again)). IMHO, Peppard was ideal as Bruno Stachel. The opening music is about the best-integrated I've ever seen; the whole bit with Peppard sloshing around in the trenches and the music sting as he catches sight of the airplane aloft. Great flying sequences, with replicas for the most part and some Stampes standing-in in other cases. Fairly close to the book, but again, the main character actually survives in the book (it's the staffel commander killed in the monoplane, and Stachel sets him up for it - though he has a change of heart). For those interested, the book does have a sequel: The Blood Order, about Stachel's involvement with the Nazis and the rise of the Luftwaffe.
Twelve O'Clock High...well, what can I say? I own the book, the movie on DVD, every episode of the TV series on the DVR, the "Twelve O'Clock High Companion" book published several years ago, a lobby card of the movie poster, and a replica of the Toby mug (foreever turned away from the wall). Good new footage, good use of historical footage, great story, great actors. Again, great use of music at the beginning when Stoval makes his post-war bicycle run to now-abandoned Archbury (though I love Dominic Frontiere's music for the series even more). The movie matches the book very well, eliminating only a minor love story (unusual, for Hollywood). As far as historical accuracy, before the premiere of the movie, General Curt LeMay complained how bad, technically, aviation movies were. He was told there was only one "error" in Twelve O'Clock high... and he didn't catch it.
I'd say, "Don't get me started" but I guess it's too late for that... :-)
Ron Wanttaja
There were some Tiger Moths in the mix, as well - at least one fairly heavily modified to look like a Pfalz D.III, and others just painted in German colors to fill out formations. I was always impressed that always tried to keep the Moths furthest from the camera in formation shots so that the "hero" reproduction aircraft were in the foreground. Great film!Quote:
Originally Posted by rwanttaja
All these titles had me unconsiously start to sing, "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines". Forget all the love interests sprinked about(except for Brigette, I really wanted Brigette). It's those beautiful antique replicas flying throughout, the tight script, the authentic set decorating, the great photography of the period pieces, the remarkable ensemble acting by some of the best British actors of the time, the opening credits animation sequence and the song. Man, how I love that song. Da da da da da da da da da da da da da, they go don de don don de don don de don de don, Up, down, flying around da da da da........
Same here...!Quote:
Originally Posted by Floatsflyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPgS26ZhqZs
P.S. You forgot a "da"? LOL!
another good one - and pretty funny
Damn, you're right...this is what I hate about threads like this, every time I name my "Favorites" someone reminds of one I missed. Outstanding movie, especially in that the "Flying Machines" were actually, well, flying machines.Quote:
Originally Posted by Floatsflyer
For those who DON'T have the theme running through their heads right now, may I offer this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9_jwJ68IWI
Ron Wanttaja
Jim, we have over 200 aviation movies in our DVD collection at Amelia's Landing Hotel, and our guests are encouraged to check them out like a library, for free. I believe we've got every movie everyone has mentioned so far.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Hann
Here's the plan: Come to the island this winter. Spend the month of January with us, in the Memphis Belle Room. Or the Fly-in Movie Room!
For 31 days, you can watch six aviation movies EVERY DAY, and STILL not quite have seen them all. At the end of the month, report your findings here.
We will then know, absolutely and positively, which is the best aviation movie!
There has been no mention of A gathering of Eagles, Rock Hudson conducts a realistic SIOP ORI at a B52 SAC BASE. It was filmed at Beale AFB, CA before the SR-71 called Beale its home. During my AF career, I was part of an IG team inspecting the 9th SRW. Next is The Dam Busters, a classic British WWII film about Lancasters skip-bombing German dams. Add these to 633 Squadron and Strategic Air Command as the greatest.
Not that bounder Sir Percy !
Definitely THE HIGH and the MIGHTY, STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, but a couple of my favorites: The original AIRPORT, and who could forget AIRPLANE!
Lots of good choices here, Blue Max and Waldo Pepper are personal favorites. I'd like to recommend a little known (and underrated) film - High Road to China with Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong. Kind of a romantic adventure thing, but prominently featuring a couple Stampe SV-4's dressed up like WW1 flavored machines. The flying was done by David Perrin and Eric Muller, and there's plenty featuring the dirty side up all the way to the final credits.
Island in the Sky gets watched whenever it's on TCM around here too.
The interesting thing about "High Road to China" is that the filmmakers commissioned several Bristol fighters for use in the movie, and planned close-ups of the actors in flight. Then the insurance companies refused to allow the actors to fly in an Experimental aircraft, and they used the Stampes. One Bristol was used in the Charles Bronson film "Death Hunt" (which was actually released before High Road to China).Quote:
Originally Posted by Baron von Tor
One must combine three scales to judge an aviation movie:
1. Quality of the overall plot/acting
2. Amount aircraft operations are integrated to the story
3. Accuracy of the aviation details
Many movies we've mentioned, #2 actually rates quite low, compared to the other categories. I mentioned "Soldier of Orange", for instance...the parts with the main character flying Mosquitos are actually quite limited. But the quality of the plot still makes it a good movie. "The Purple Plain" is another example, again with Mossies.
"The Blue Max," for instance, rates high in all three categories, except, perhaps, the use of some non-accurate aircraft would scale #3 back a bit. "Twelve O'Clock High," rates surprisingly low in #2...yes, it's set in a bomber squadron, but the flying sequences are not really what the movie's about.
But...like "Soldier of Orange"... the outstanding plot and actors really make it stand out.
Then we come to "High Road to China." I saw it when it originally came out, and haven't re-watched it since. Lotsa flying, can't remember the accuracy, but I do remember having a low opinion of it as far as plot/acting. Don't remember why...guess I'll have to re-watch it.
This leads it to one other factor on the WAMS (Wanttaja Aviation Movie Scale :-): The importance of each of the three scores to the individual. When I was a kid, #2 was most important to me...the heck with the plot, bring on the action! As I've aged (if not matured), my tastes are now inclined towards quality of the plot and the acting. I can tolerate *some* inaccuracies, if the movie is good. Heck, I've worked in the space business for 35 years, yet I loved "Gravity"....
Ron Wanttaja
Well then, using your self-proclaimed WAMS scale, I offer, in no particular order, my subjective list of the 10 best aviation themed feature films that meet those criteria:Quote:
Originally Posted by rwanttaja
Air Force
The Right Stuff
Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines
Hells Angels
Reach For The Sky
Only Angels Have Wings
Battle of Britain
The Great Waldo Pepper
Captains of the Clouds
Memphis Belle
I declare the can of worms to be open!
If you want real flying in real airplanes as opposed to some models or computer simulations, then Battle of Britain is certainly one. There were real Spitfires, Hurricanes,bombers, etc. with the exception that the bad guys were ex Spanish 109 s and He-111s instead of luftwaffe. The airfields were real, prominently Duxford. The in cockpit pilot views out the front of the Spitfire were real, taken by a movie camera in the front seat.
One I really enjoyed because of the stars, Grace Kelly,William Holden etc, was BRIDGES AT TOKO RI, which I think is based on real events even if it was with Skyraiders and not F9F jets. It won an Academy award for special effects, and also used real Navy combat footage.
How can EAAs leave out Cliff Robertson's "The Pilot", the most realistic fictional movie about commercial aviation?
I'm with you Ron on the three line scale. and humbly submit "Dive Bomber" filmed in prewar 1941 starring Errol Flynn, Fred McMurry and the USS Enterprise. The plot is about the new science of aviation medicine. Flynn was a Surgeon and McMurry was a dive bomber pilot.
Battle of Britain is on my list, superbly executed authentic story telling. For me the best part of Toko Ri is the comedic turns of those funny Sikorsky pilots, Mickey Rooney and Earl Holliman. Come to think of it, the Sikorsky itself is pretty funny looking.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Greenwood
"Skyward" - GE Aviation Theater for TV. Starred Bette Davis & Suzy Gilstrap with Ron Howard as the director (his first), I believe).
I'm lying on the couch watching Real Time with Bill Maher and it suddenly occurs to me that I've just remembered 2 great ones that somehow didn't get into the cerebellum until just now: Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" and "Catch-22"- the best satirical, anti-war movie with B-25's in it ever made.
Well, disagree with some, agree with others, still others, it's been so long since I've seen 'em, I can't vote either way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Floatsflyer
Wouldn't include "Air Force" as a high-scoring film. It basically was a WWII propaganda movie... well done, but the plot pretty dated. Technical accuracy... well, eight words: "Shooting Fifty Caliber Machine Guns from the Hip".
"Hell's Angels" is another example... the plot is pretty silly, and the acting is the overacting style that was left over from silent films.. But it is rescued by the amount of aerial action, and the filming of the dogfight scenes. It's also the source of that famous photo of Rosco Turner getting "photobombed" while having his picture taken next to the "Gotha." (Another pilot giving the finger from under the fuselage. I'd post it, but Hal would probably whack me).
As mentioned earlier, "Captains of the Clouds" deserves a good spot just for including the real Billy Bishop in the cast. However, much of the plot is just the usual romantic conflict.
Ron Wanttaja
Agree with you on both. I think "The Aviator" is a very underrated flick (Scorsese's film, not the ~1980s Christopher Reeve butchering of Gann's story). Also enjoy "Catch-22".Quote:
Originally Posted by Floatsflyer
B-25s are fairly rare in modern war movies. One to consider (though it has no flying) is "Sole Survivor," which uses the "Lady Be Good" saga as inspiration. Stars Richard Basehart and William Shatner. Interesting psychological story.
Ron Wanttaja
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zack Baughman
It'll probably never make it on to DVD, but it does show up on TV from time to time. Blaze of Noon is based the Ernie Gann book. The movie, about 4 brothers that are airmail pilots, actually follows the book pretty close.
I remember that scene in Magnificent Men wherein the old heiress tries to get the dashing young pilot interested in her niece. First she asks him if he is available on Tuesday. To which he replies, "I have an evening of brandy and cigars at the Club." Then she asks about Thursday. "I cannot. I play golf on Thursday." Exasperated, she inquires about Sunday. "Madam", he forcibly states, "Sunday is for flying!"
Blackhawk Down, while not entirely an aviation film, is one of the most accurate portrayals there is, down to the very airframes, and in some cases the pilots themselves.
Of course, I am biased a bit towards Army Aviation!
NSDQ!
High and the Mighty, Islands in the Sky, Top Gun and Air America. It's about the flying, not the chicks and not the vintage airplanes.
Air America and Flight of the Intruder had some good Vietnam-era airplane porn. Great Skyraider scenes in Flight of the Intruder.
Both great films IMHO. The EAA AirVenture Museum has a direct connection to Catch-22: our B-25 was used in the filming! At that time it was in a camouflage paint scheme and called "Berlin Express." Here's a photo I found of it online (with credit to Richard Kamm and August Horvath):Quote:
Originally Posted by Floatsflyer
Attachment 3375
Zack's comment reminded me of another favorite film of mine, 1939's Tail Spin, starring Alice Faye, and featuring a cameo by our Museum's Chester Special, aka Chester Jeep.
Lots of great golden age airplane spotting, and a fun movie overall, though it can be hard to find.
Attachment 3376
Missing the movie Cloud Dancer,, about acro pilot ( David Carridine) lots of EAA logos in the background and a cameo by Tom Poberezny
I was not familiar with this title. That's quite the cast of A list actresses of the day and an aviation film centered on aviatrixes in air races is quite unique for 1939 or even today. Pancho Barnes and Jackie Cochrane must have been impressed and proud. This film must be a favourite of the Ninety-Nines. Wonder if it was used in the recruiting process for WASPS?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hal Bryan
I liked "Top Gun" but my favorite has to be "Twelve Oclock High".
Well, geeze Zack, Frank Tallman assembled 18 B-25s for filming "Catch-22". Saying a particular B-25 participated in the movie is like saying a particular celebrity slept with Madonna; interesting, but not too unique. :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Zack Baughman
Ron Wanttaja
Duuuude.... when researching another post, I noticed that Frank Tallman flew the Twin Beech. I know your other connection to the film, so I can see how you'd come in contact with him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Victor Bravo
So, what was Tallman like, as an instructor?
Ron Wanttaja
The Right Stuff is a good aviation movie.
I do not think that anyone mentioned Wings, the first winner of the Academy Award for best picture. Both Richard Arlen and Buddy Rogers were pilots in their private lives. I believe it was also the first appearance of Gary Cooper in a supporting movie role. As an aside, WWI aviator William Wellman was a young director who went on to direct other films like The High and he Mighty (his son was the little boy traveling alone on the flight).
Someone mentioned that they liked seeing all the replicas in Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. Note that most of the planes were flying originals from the Shuttleworth Collection.
Being an Ercoupe guy, I have to add that the Hope/Crosby film, Road to Rio is a favorite. Who knew that an Ercoupe could hold about a dozen passengers including pilots and a flight attendant! Maybe not the Right Stuff, but good stuff.
John
I'm pretty sure I mentioned it in my earlier post, but I also mentioned a few dozen others since I really struggle to pick a favorite!Quote:
Originally Posted by John Craparo
I had the chance to see Wings on the big (huge, actually: it was 80 feet wide) screen last spring, presented by William Wellman Jr., the director's son you mentioned. It was great to get some insights into the making of the film, and then to see it beautifully restored with a newly-recorded score was just amazing. The flying scenes were remarkable, and one scene in particular - a top-down view of a bombing run - still has me reeling.
I can also recommend Wellman Jr.'s book, The Man and His Wings: William A. Wellman and the Making of the First Best Picture, for anyone interested in the story behind the story.
I like Midway, the Spirit of St. Louis, and the Tuskegee Airmen.