FLYBOYS

[garyjd]

Here's for those interested in World War 1. The aircraft look to be all CGI, as I read they had an accident using real aircraft. Looks like your typical "Hollywierd" history fare.

http://www.flyboysthemovie.com/

 

[KeithP]

Thanks for the post Gary.

I guess the real story of Raoul Lufberry is too dull to transfer to the big screen.
I have often found that real history is more compelling and dramatic than is what is made up by the entertainment industry.

If this is produced by Dean Devlin, I don't think I'll get to this one...

Keith

 

[garyjd]

Keith, I'm not really WOWED by the trailer myself. It looks like your typical hollywood war film.

Here's a gee wiz sort of thing. Is it me or is the mansion/palace shown in the trailer the one in "Paths of glory" that's used as the French HQ?~Gary

 

[milminwh]

Guys,
Although I agree with your statements about historical accuracy, I think I just may see it. Sometimes, with films like this, although the stories get enhanced and side-tracked, there will be some history involved and I think the film may offer a "flavor" to the viewer of what life was all about during WW1 for some of these pilots, especially related to their dog fights.
The "Patriot", for example, was a great deal of fiction, but I did enjoy the movie. From a historical standpoint, it did show battlefield tactics during that time, as well as illustrate how the citizens were quite divided on the subject of fighting for independence from the UK.
I guess good history movies are few and far between, and (IMHO), "Flyboys" should illustrate on the large silver screen some fleeting moments of historical accuracy.
Regards

 

[Sambaman]

I have to admit I'm with John on this one. I think you have to take Hollywood with a grain of salt. I go to a movie to be entertained first and foremost. If it happens to have accurate history in it, all the better! This looks like a pretty fun flick. Honestly, it takes todays technology to pull it off convincingly anyway.

Jay H.
OKC

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by Sambaman@Aug 2 2006, 06:16 AM
I have to admit I'm with John on this one. I think you have to take Hollywood with a grain of salt. I go to a movie to be entertained first and foremost. If it happens to have accurate history in it, all the better! This looks like a pretty fun flick. Honestly, it takes todays technology to pull it off convincingly anyway.

Jay H.
OKC

Jay, I NEVER go to a movie expecting to be EDUCATED. Be it an action film or period piece, movies are meant to be ENTERTAINMENT. Every once in a while we do get treated to something that has some truth in parts. Mostly we get skewed history with boy meets girl. A formula we've seen a thousand times.~Gary

 

[Manfred]

They actually did some real flying with replicas for the triplane etc (Movie Rule No1: WW1 germans all flew red triplanes) . :lol:

There were also Nieuport 17 and even a Sopwith Strutter which is flyable. The Aerodrome forum has a member who did some live flying.

The trailer looks like "Pearl Harbour meets Mission Impossible" but I still will see it. There aren't exactly a lot of biplane movies around - which I enjoy a lot.

I've long given up on movies providing accurate interpretations of history. And the antagonists extras always die like stupid flies be they field grey, red, yellow, blue or green :lol:

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by ManfredL@Aug 2 2006, 07:29 AM
They actually did some real flying with replicas for the triplane etc (Movie Rule No1: WW1 germans all flew red triplanes) . :lol:

The trailer looks like "Pearl Harbour meets Mission Impossible" but I still will see it. There aren't exactly a lot of biplane movies around - which I enjoy a lot.

Manfred, I did note the need to make the German aircraft red. I enjoy the "dumbing down" hooly resorts to. They would'nt want the audience to be confused seeing a green or blue German plane.


The dogfight in the trailer reminded me of the STAR WARS dogfight scenes, but with WW1 aircraft.

I'm sure the guys at the AERODROME are going to be super picky about this one.~Gary

 

[quang]

Originally posted by garyjd@Aug 2 2006, 08:28 AM

The dogfight in the trailer reminded me of the STAR WARS dogfight scenes, but with WW1 aircraft.

When one considers that George Lucas drew his inspiration from Howard Hughes' 1930 HELL'S ANGELS for his Star Wars dogfight, I'd say we've run full circle! :lol:

Of course, it's a well known fact that all Germans flew red Fokker triplanes (and all Vietcongs wore conical straw hats ).

Change the the film's title from Flyboys to 'The Enemy Ace' and I'm in.

Quang

 

[bonehead]

Hey Quang,

The Enemy Ace? Yeah, the movie looks to be a bit closer to THAT than reality! ( I almost did a bust of the Enemy Ace at one time, what do you think Quang?) It looks like the usual Hollywood popcorn muncher. It's always about the "nobility" of war. Yeah, tell that to the dead guys, women and children.

Sadly, I have always thought that the true story of Frank Luke would make an exceptional film. A REAL people film instead of this same old tired formula. Alas, Hollywood was never prone to real human interest when they can just blow up stuff and make up tall tales about how much solidarity there was between white and black Americans at this time.

Looks like another one to be missed......

Mike

 

[flart1943]

Hi All
Hollywood and historcal accuracy? I agree they can get it ludicrously wrong as with "Alexander" (a missed chance to tell a great story), "King Arthur" (silly), "Pearl Habour" (a travesty). "Brave Heart" and "Patriot" (we should have sued). They can sometimes come close as with, the first, "All Quite on the Western Front", "The Longest Day" ( some gaffs but not to bad), The first 20 Mins of "Saving Private Ryan" felt very real to me and "Paths of Glory" (moving, more so at the end when the German girl sings, a true film moment). " Black Hawk Down" (wow). I am know that there many more films that are entertaining if not historically true, but if I enjoy them I forgive them.
PS, If you want a beautifully shot film with great colour atmosphere try the French film "A Very Long Engagement".
Pete

 

[quang]

Hello Mike,

As an ardant Joe Kubert fan, I'd vote for a large scale bust or figure of The Enemy Ace or Sgt Rock (wow!). I KNOW you would have done them justice.

As a matter of fact, your smoking SS officer bust would lend itself to a quick conversion into Von Hammer (The Enemy Ace). The pose and mood are just right for that effect. I would have done it myself in another life .

Pete,

Hollywood was never as bad as we like to believe. Check out the 1949 'Twelve O' Clock High' now on budget DVD. Authentic setting, sensitive story and great (his best?) acting from Gregory Peck.

Quang

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by bonehead2@Aug 2 2006, 11:18 AM
Hey Quang,

The Enemy Ace? Yeah, the movie looks to be a bit closer to THAT than reality! ( I almost did a bust of the Enemy Ace at one time, what do you think Quang?)

Sadly, I have always thought that the true story of Frank Luke would make an exceptional film. A REAL people film instead of this same old tired formula.

Mike

Mike,

You gotta do an "enemy Ace" bust. I loved that comic book.


The Frank Luke story would be a great one. I always thought a young Sean Penn would have made a good Luke.~Gary

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by flart1943@Aug 2 2006, 12:50 PM
PS, If you want a beautifully shot film with great colour atmosphere try the French film "A Very Long Engagement".
Pete

Pete, I could not agree more. it's a well made film. The story keeps you watching as it peels back the layers of the story bit by bit.~Gary

 

[Dan Morton]

It's time for that 'suspend disbelief' thing again, I see. Should be interesting to try to count the number of historical errors, uniform mistakes, etc. Those are always fun to me. OK, I grant you I have a strange sense of humor.

************
Request permission to diverge? Thanks!

I agree - 12 O'Clock High is a fine film and a credit to Hollywood. Anybody know if it is true that 12 O'Clock High was actually filmed at one of the disused WW2 training fields at Eglin AFB in Florida? I heard that years ago and never confirmed it. Probably cheaper to film there vs. in UK where there were actual disused airfields all over East Anglia. In the 70s (sorry - dates me, I know), I could have taken you to 15 or 16 where farmers were grazing their sheep. You could walk around the field, in the old buildings, etc.

If you're ever in West Wendover, Nevada/ Wendover, Utah there's about 50% of a USAAF WW2 period bomber training base that you can walk around in. I don't believe the runway is original - I think it was refinished several times after the war from the appearance. But a few of the quonset huts and some of the "temporary" barracks are still standing and some are used by the city and businesses, etc. The Enola Gay crew trained there.

All the best,
Dan

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by quang@Aug 2 2006, 04:21 PM
Hello Mike,

As an ardant Joe Kubert fan, I'd vote for a large scale bust or figure of The Enemy Ace or Sgt Rock (wow!). I KNOW you would have done them justice.

Quang

I also dug Sgt Rock. I had most of the issues and gave them to a friend's kid brother when I started getting military history from something other than comic books.


I REALLY thought Enemy Ace's flying helmet was cool.~Gary

 

[quang]

Originally posted by garyjd@Aug 2 2006, 09:16 PM

I REALLY thought Enemy Ace's flying helmet was cool.~Gary

Gary: What do you mean 'thought'? IT'S cool! :lol:

Dan: Aside the setting (of which we don't see much in the film), it's also the story and the adult reflexion on war and leadership it triggers, so much remarkable as it was done merely 4 years after the end of the war.

On the same subject, the more recent (1990) and high-budgeted 'Memphis Belle' while an enjoyable, reasonably accurate and adequately produced film, feels hollow in comparaison to '12 O Clock High'.

Quang

 

[Dan Morton]

Quang - On 12 O'Clock High, couldn't agree more! Although I enjoyed Memphis Belle, the acting was shaky, the direction was [was there some?]. I applaud them for trying to honor the bomber crew and through them all of 8th AF, but the film was mediocre. Have you seen Command Decision? Also about 8th AF but mostly from the perspective of leadership and war-time politics - that's pretty good also. Not 12 O'Clock High, but not bad.

Anyway, I'll probably go see Flyboys, but I'll control my expectations. :lol:

All the best,
Dan

 

[quang]

Dan,

I haven't seen Command Decision but will check it out. Thanks for the heads-up!

Call me nutty but the leather bomber jackets look great in 'Memphis Belle' :lol:

Quang

 

[Sambaman]

OK, someone HAS TO SCULPT an Enemy Ace bust NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:
And not just one, "oh I just did this for myself, just for fun", kinda thing. I MUST have one! Someone needs to capture that classic hero attitude and feeling. The picture posted is perfect reference. Now, back to the topic..........

Jay H.
OKC