DER ROTE BARON

[Helldiver]

I saw an unforgettable fictional movie last night on NetFlix. Now it had as much to do with the Red Baron as I have eating Chinese food. But if you take it as a bit of fiction, it was a great film. The technical desgn of the dogfighting sequences and the period equipment used is unexcelled. The cars, the armor, the down town scenes of Berlin, all true to life. Even the hanger design and the clothing are true to the times. When they show the Baron up close you actually see the rotary engine whirling. If your a WWI nut like I am this is the movie for you. The Albatross, Fokker Tripes and the S.E.5s, I have no idea where they got all of them, but there they were.
The film was quite controversial in Germany, a nation wherein patriotism is deliberately avoided. Well that's to their detriment. There's nothing wrong in watching a good story, even though there is no basis in fact.
Lt, Phineas Pinkham where were you?
The movie was made in 2008 so it's a relatively new movie but it is well worth the watching.

[CodyValkyrie]

I just watched the previews of the film. Not sure how this one slipped by me. I may go watch it now. Thanks for the heads up Helldiver!

[Gdavis101]

Just added it to my list.. Thanks! :salute:

[huub vink]

Bob, believe it or not, but the aircrafts only exist in the computer. There were some real size models for "cockpitshots", but the flying aircrafts are are virtual models. And indeed this movie is definitely worth watching!

Cheers,
Huub

[dswo]

Thanks for recommending this. I saw that it was available on Netflix "Instant Watch," but didn't get past the sappy description.

[Lionheart]

I didnt know it was released!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll catch it on iTunes.


Bill

[Helldiver]

Huub, I only saw one scene where i thought it might be a RC model and that's when he flew the red Albatross into a field while children were watching. The landing was fine but it seemed to bounce around to much for a real aircraft. If it's strictly computer models then we're missing out on some superb aircraft for Flight Simulator.

[arrowmaker]

This was released on blu-ray last year. It's an enjoyable enough movie. Like Flyboys, however, it's pretty much mostly fictional. But hey it's not as if WW1 aviation themed movies are being churned out by the bucketload, so lets enjoy what we can get.

[gajit]

Yes - i thought the film was quite well done. I just cant find Flyboys to buy GRrrrr.

[Bjoern]

If it's strictly computer models then we're missing out on some superb aircraft for Flight Simulator.

Actually, we're not.

The polycount and texture management of those CG aircraft made for TV would kill FSX on the spot.

[Lionheart]

Just finished watching it.

I cant believe this didnt become more popular. Incredible movie. Tear jerker... arghh..

I see now what HD meant in all those planes. The CG work was so well done, I couldnt tell what was real and what wasnt. They were going through, starting planes for 'Operation Michael', major German offensive, and several planes had rotary's that spun up with the props. In one shot, there was a Spad, Sopwith, and something small, not a SE5A, all on one guys tail. Tons of different aircraft.

Very well done...

If Manfred was 'really' like this, I salute him. The movie portrays a person that held chivalry high.

Thanks for the heads up.



Bill

[Helldiver]

As the Baron said in the movie, "We are sportsman, not butchers!"

[AndyE1976]

Actually, we're not.

The polycount and texture management of those CG aircraft made for TV would kill FSX on the spot.

true, but I've often wondered when you see these excelleng CGI models how much effort it would be for the guy that made them to knock up an FSX model? Do any of the modellers who do this professional CGi work also create FS stuff or is that too much like the day job :)

[txnetcop]

Just saw it you guys called it just right! Great movie! Thanks
Ted

[Bjoern]

If Manfred was 'really' like this, I salute him. The movie portrays a person that held chivalry high.

Chivalry was still quite popular in the early days of aerial combat but it most certaily died in WW2 along with the officers of the "old guard". Even though there were some instances then where both sides exchanged all of their ammunition, formed up alongside, waved at each other and went home.




Do any of the modellers who do this professional CGi work also create FS stuff or is that too much like the day job :)

I think Milviz did some models for CGI in movies.
You could at least tell from the polycount in their models (P-38: 200k).

[redriver6]

If it's strictly computer models then we're missing out on some superb aircraft for Flight Simulator.

you can always give Rise of Flight a try....

http://www.boomspeed.com/redriver6/fokker06.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/redriver6/fokker04.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/redriver6/camel11.jpg

[maguireted]

I saw this movie and it is a great one.Herr Von Richthofen was a great soldier , an era now dead.... Anna

[FAC257]

B-17 escorted to safety by German pilot.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1077990/b17-bomber-true-story

This story has been around for a long time and probably been posted before, but it's a tale I still like.

FAC

[huub vink]

There is a "making off" this movie. It is included in the 2 DVD set of this movie, so perhaps it is on the Blue-ray version as well.
In this "making off" they show what is real and what exists just in the computer.

The graphics from Rise of Flight are indeed stunning and the simulator is quite challenging!

Cheers,
Huub