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Aces High [1976]
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journey's end takes to the air
Review date: 2008-07-10 Rating: 8 out of 10
Based on R.C Sherriff's play 'Journey's end', Aces High is a gripping introduction for anyone wanting an insight into air combat during the First World war. A young Colin Firth is wonderful as the fledgling hero 'Croft' and McDowell proves once again that he is one of the U.K's most underrated actors. Christopher Plummer gives another highly polished performance.
As in Journey's end the idealistic youngster joins the unit commanded by a man well known to him and his family, his sister's fiancee, who is now a decorated and experienced fighter. The youngster's idealism fades however as he realizes that in spite of his friend's success in the war, Greasham is close to breaking point. The movie shows very well how young pilots with insufficient training, no parachutes and overworked unreliable aircraft became 'Fokker fodder'. The aircraft used lack the realism of the DR1's, DV11's and SE5a's seen in the Blue Max, but the quality of the story and the acting more than make up for that. This film is a fine tribute to the real Mannock's and McCudden's of the Great war and shows the horror of that conflict most ably.
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Reviews
Not just a war film, but a very sweet anti-militarist film
Review date: 2008-04-16 Rating: 10 out of 10
"Aces High" is not just a war film. It is rather a very sweet, gentle and sad story about an all-male friendship between a RAF Captain (Christopher Plummer) and young officers during World War One. Christopher Plummer's character is darling, the quintessence of gentleness and sweetness (he bears a resemblance to the character Plummer plays in "Hanover Street"). Perhaps even too much sensitive and kind to be an entirely believable middle-aged soldier at war. He can be seen playing the piano!
Eton College memories
Review date: 2008-04-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
I was among the Eton College boys filmed when the headmaster (Sir John Gielgud) introduced Gresham (Malcom McDowell) to the boys. There must be many of us out there. It was filmed on a school holiday, and we were given the choice of an excursion or taking part in the film. I seem to remember that we were not terribly well behaved, but the director eventually sorted us out. We were thoroughly amused when the make-up artists re-arranged the hair of some of the boys. We each got £10, which was quite a lot for a schoolboy in 1976!
Sir John was gracious enough to give me his autograph when I knocked on the door of his caravan between lessons. I also got Malcolm McDowell's. I think this was when they were filming the romantic bit at the beginning, because he persuaded me to get hers as well!
I am sure that all of us who were there still feel very privileged to have been associated with such a great film. It was of course based on the classic WW1 play, 'Journey's End'.
Tally Ho!
Review date: 2007-12-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
Forget Flyboys with its Hollywood schmaltz and CGI - THIS IS HOW FLYING FILMS SHOULD BE MADE - with lots of REAL flying!!
This is the WWI equivalent to Battle of Britain - it will not be surpassed, certainly not by the directors of this day and age, so I hope no one has the temerity to try and do a naff Flight of the Pheonix style remake.
Ace's High
Review date: 2007-07-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
I think this must rate amongst the top three WW1 flying movies, alongside "Hell's Angels" and "Dawn Patrol".
Loosly based on R C Sherrif's book and play "Jouney's End", it gives a true and compelling picture of the Royal Flying Corp's pilots during the Great War.
The fact was that after arriving at the Front, an RFC pilot had an average life span of six weeks.
McDowell and Plummer are first rate and the rest of the cast are all the favorite faces of British movies in the 1970's.
Buy and enjoy!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Malcolm McDowell
David Wood
Peter Firth
Christopher Plummer
Simon Ward
Creators:
Malcolm McDowell (Primary Contributor)
Christopher Plummer (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034578352
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-01-01
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1976-09-30
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: German (Original Language)