hi
to late for a heads up so a reminder that “the Bridges at Toko Ri” is on sky, and bound to be on again soon. Great views of Grumman F9F’s, A-4D Skyraiders and Sikorski H03S…also is it because there were plenty about but the crash landing appears to be real, made in 1954. I usually have a look on imdb to check any trivia out and these points come up, one of the pilots who flew in the making of the film was a very young Lt. j.g. named Alan Shepherd–later one of the Mercury and Apollo astronauts, also writer James A. Michener wrote the story after spending time aboard the USS Essex. One of the pilots aboard the Essex at the time was Neil Armstrong. It is not known for certain whether any of the characters in the book or movie were based on Armstrong, mentioning Armstrong the “pinwheel” where the carrier is docked,was a common technique but, as the movie pointed out, was not appreciated by the pilots who had to fly these same aircraft later on. I was told that there was an incident in which some pilots refused to use their planes in this manner. Seems like the ship’s Captain put everyone “in hack” or restricted to quarters. His decision was overruled by higher authority and the pilots were granted liberty in Japan. One of these pilots was none other then Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon.
regards,
jack…
By: J Boyle - 7th November 2015 at 20:19
Has a F9F Panther ever appeared at a UK airshow?
Probably not since they were current.
There have been a couple restored to flight in the US, I don’t believe any are currently flying.
By: sparky - 7th November 2015 at 20:07
Has a F9F Panther ever appeared at a UK airshow?
By: DazDaMan - 7th November 2015 at 17:54
Haven’t seen it for ages (got it on DVD) but I remember the actual attack scenes being very well done for the time.
By: J Boyle - 7th November 2015 at 15:01
If you do an online search there are photos of the film being shot. I recall seeing a camera crew on a barge filming a rescue scene with the Sikorsky.
Sadly, like the Panthers, the HO3S is now extinct as a flyer, so the color film is particularly interesting.
By: Good Vibs - 7th November 2015 at 13:53
A very “real” ending!
All of us who have been in a “hot” situation know it can always end differently than Hollywood wants us to think.
A very good movie with excellent helicopter action.
By: jack windsor - 7th November 2015 at 13:44
SPOILER ALERT. I was somewhat taken aback by the decision by the film makers to have the downed pilot, and afterwards the crew of the rescue helicopter, lose their lives. Totally unexpected, compared to the rosy hero return ending that I was ready for.
hi,
William Holden agreed to do the film on the sole condition that the producers keep the original ending of the novel, in which Lt. Harry Brubaker dies, and not turn it into a happy ending.
William Holden’s younger brother, Robert Beedle, was a Navy fighter pilot who was killed in action in World War II. After this film was released, he was remembered by his squadron-mates as having been very much like the character of Lt Harry Brubaker.
For realistic close-up shots, William Holden learned how to taxi a fighter on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
and I believe that films about the US services in this era got full cooperation from them to aid in recruitment, hence the U.S. Navy’s cooperation in the movie’s making included the use of 19 ships…and aircraft and facilities for Strategic Air Command, A Gathering of Eagles, The Hunters…
regards,
jack…
By: Sealand Tower - 7th November 2015 at 12:43
It’s a fascinating film especially after visiting the USS Intrepid this year. Keep a look out for the disappearing and reappearing ordnance loaded to aircraft due to continuity problems !
By: Seafuryfan - 7th November 2015 at 09:05
SPOILER ALERT. I was somewhat taken aback by the decision by the film makers to have the downed pilot, and afterwards the crew of the rescue helicopter, lose their lives. Totally unexpected, compared to the rosy hero return ending that I was ready for.
By: Pen Pusher - 6th November 2015 at 22:21
On Film4 on the 11th November 12.50pm
Brian
Sign In
November 6, 2015 at 10:12 pm