Cleveronix
A different way of telling a story
Gurlyndrobb
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Billie Morin
This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
Lachlan Coulson
This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.
zardoz-13
"Mosquito Squadron" director Boris Sagal and scenarist Donald S. Sanford reteamed for this lackluster World War II aerial thriller about the historic 1000 plane raid over Nazi-occupied Germany. Anybody who remembers how much fuss the British raised over "U-571" because the Americans took credit for capturing a piece of Nazi technology can only imagine how much umbrage the Brits should have taken over this movie. "Rat Patrol" star Christopher George plays a tough-as-nails U.S.AF.F. colonel who champions a 1000 plane raid despite all the problems such a massive air strike would entail. Actually, the Royal Air Force launched this raid first. Indeed, Sagal and Sanford drew their story from a fantastic history book by author Ralph Barker that was called "The Thousand Plane Raid." Aside from a number of American televisions headed up by George and J.D. Cannon, this air force mission movie is too lightweight to be memorable. The story is told from the perspective of Christopher George's commander and a British RAF officer who has been reassigned to George to give the Yanks a heads-up on fighting Germany fighter pilots.
bcrumpacker
WARNING 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.
philphoto
Amusing piece of waffle with a brief acknowledgement that the UK actually did fight from their home country, and in fact did mount the first 1000 bomber raid on Germany. Throw in a stereo typical RAF upper class twit to teach the Yanks Fighter Tactics.. I wish they wouldn't assume all RAF fighter Pilots were like that.. Many were Sergeant Pilots and my 86 year old Neighbour, A Spitfire Pilot with 8 kills to his Credit speaks broad Geordie (To our American Pals a Dialect found in the Newcastle area of North East England which can hardly be called upper class.) Still the footage of the B17s was brilliant and did these wonderful Planes credit ) There were several correct statements , particularly that night Bombing carried out by the RAF in the early days was terribly inaccurate, at least until 'Gee' and 'Oboe'(Radio position systems) came into service. Remember that the Luftwaffe switched to night bombing of British Cities during 1940-1941 because of their Losses. However a good piece of escapism anyway,with many inaccuracies, but someone did at least attempt some Historic research...
mordred25
A 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.
