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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 23, 2017 14:16:49 GMT 12
I watched the 1976 film "Aces High" last night for the first time ever. What an excellent movie. It is about a Royal Flying Corps squadron on the front lines of France in 1917. It was far better than i was expecting, with a good story well written, excellent characters, very good acting, and some great special effects for the time. The aerial scenes were also good for the time, considering the aircraft were all more modern types rebuilt to look the part. Some of the themes explored such as the pilot suffering from mental illness due to too much combat, and the treatment of the German prisoner, and the wonderful Mess games, were very good. Malcolm McDowell was excellent as Major Gresham, and Christopher Plummer was perfect as the adjutant 'Uncle', very reminiscent of a similar Adj named Uncle in the later book and series Piece of Cake by Derek Robinson. It makes me wonder if Plummer's character was Robinson's inspiration. Highly recommended  |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 24, 2017 20:14:41 GMT 12
That is a fantastic movie.
I've got a Region 2 copy on DVD in my collection.
Another brilliant DVD set I acquired earlier this year is the 1970s BBC drama “Wings” which was set during the time of the Fokker Scourge.
There are 25 episodes over the two series it ran.
It is also a Region 2 set, but most DVD players these days will play out-of-zone DVDs no problem.
BluRay players can sometimes be a different kettle of fish though.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 24, 2017 20:50:56 GMT 12
Yes Wings is brilliant. I watched them all recently on Youtube.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Oct 26, 2017 17:38:05 GMT 12
I have this on DVD at home and totally agree its a fantastic movie. The producer I believe was a Polish fighter pilot in WW2 and was involved in the Battle of Britain movie. I've also seen a version with an extended ending.
I really enjoyed Wings as well, watched all the episodes on YouTube.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 26, 2017 19:41:51 GMT 12
That's correct, the producer Benjamin Fisz was a Fighter Command veteran, and co-produced Battle of Britain. I think Christopher Plummer had far, far better a character in Aces High than that grumpy, self centred pilot in Battle of Britain. I always felt the scenes with him and his wife arguing were a major distraction to the story and added little.
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