i especially like these period films about the war in the air. I thought this war film was in the same class as the Mathew Modine B-17 pic,'MEMPHIS BELLE'. Particularly, memorable was the segment, where the British & American pilots are resting in a debriefing room when the music on the radio is interrupted by a German propaganda speech. This is a historical fact, that, like the 'TOkyo Rose' radio chats that were meant to demoralize the U.S.soldiers(also U.S.naval forces) in the Pacific,'Lord HAW-HAW' was a concerted effort by German intelligence to broadcast propaganda to hurt the American/allied air campaign of WWII. (Unbeknownst to the allies, the Germans had broken the allies 'ultra' code, allowing them priceless intelligence regarding B-17 bombing runs in Europe) . ALthough, I may be mistaken('ultra' intercepts provided the Nazis only valuable intelligence information about 8th army tactical moves in the North African Campaign(1040-1943?)All in all, a great film,using actual historical facts....
... View MoreWARNING SPOILER ALERT: A low budget Quinn Martin style version of the USAA bombing runs into Germany in 1943. Long range fighter escorts were not available then, and the B17s didn't have chin turrets to protect against head on attacks until later, so the bombers suffered high loss rates.Update: According to wikipedia this was actually a Royal Air Force raid on Cologne (Koln), so this film's historical accuracy as to the USAAF's planning for and participation in the raid is doubtful. Despite the participation of some of the best stunt pilots in the business, and despite their flying a B17 WAY too low, this film has a poor reputation among airmen who know better. Bonus: about half way through the film, Chris George and Laraine Stephens talk in his office. Just before she tells him she loves him, he takes off his hat, rubs the back of his neck, and flips the bird. Her face and the bird are in the same shot. I'd love to hear the story behind THAT one.
... View MoreJust saw this 36 year old movie on a Spanish T.V. channel.It was a midnight movie and it's dubbed in Spanish. This movie is very and I mean very cheaply made. It looks more like a made for T.V. movie. However, it was made in 1969 and most likely it was riding on the coat-tails of such films as Battle for Britan or Operation Crossbow. I like Christopher George, but the poor guy just wasn't given any decent acting roles. I feel his "meatiest" role was that of gunman Nelson McCloud in the John Wayne movie, El Dorado. Sadly, Christopher George died of a massive heart attack at 54, and is best remembered for his hit 1960s T.V. show, The Rat Patrol. As for this film, well, it's better in Spanish! Only thing, I don't speak Spanish!
... View MoreA fairly average B-grade movie that is pulled up by a sequence of low flying that is used on more than one occasion throughout the movie for different story line progressions. To see a B-25 coming over the trees and then missing the ground with the right wing by only a few feet is amazing to say the least. Most of the footage in the battle scenes is from war footage and low budget (nowadays) SFX but given the age and being made about the same time as "the Battle Of Britain" it puts up a reasonable performance. Aircraft buffs will like the flying sequences as they always will and for an afternoon diversion it is not too bad. Look out for the maintenance crew chief, Sgt Kreuger a few years before commanding his well known ship the Love Boat.
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