On a WW1 theme, non of the major characters in ‘The Blue Max’ were likeable, apart from the CO and the various erks, that really was a typical Hollywood portrayal of events on a big scale, long may it dissapear.
Can anyone think of any others.

The Blue Max was based quite closely on a novel (by an American author) in which nobody comes out well, although motivations are explored in a lot more detail (as you’d expect). Interestingly, in the novel Stachel deliberately shoots down the RE8 that has surrendered when in the film, it is self-defence. He is also complicit in Fabian’s death (Stachel goes after an SE5 that Fabian has already damaged, leaving Fabian to tackle two unharmed SE5s). Also, Stachel is an alcoholic and much of his behaviour is attributable to this – in the novel, he is on the path to redemption when circumstances pull him down again. On the last page he meets Hermann Goering! The CO is portrayed as more of a prig and his wife is not so wholesome as in the film.

As I said, nobody really comes out well. The Germans all have their various flaws, the British are portrayed as stupidly foolhardy and not too skilled. A squadron of American SPADs is encountered late in the book, and gets a bit more respect however… I thought the film was pretty good in the context of the novel and had some of the best flying sequences – better than we are likely to get these days with all the reliance on CGI.

I’d like to see a film in which the heroes fly BE2Cs and have to spot for artillery. Those guys were heroes alright…

I remember seeing this in the video shop when my Dad used to take me and my brother for a film each as a treat. Several times I considered getting Gunbus out, but each time plumped for something else. All I can say now is – I think I made the right decision.

What an awful load of old tosh. The few seconds in which the Gunbus was on screen were OK, but as for the rest… Ugh.

(And a question – has there been any WW1 film featuring a zeppelin which hasn’t involved a) heroic airman ramming said zeppelin or b) heroic crewman throwing himself overboard to help the ship save weight?!)

Given your credentials XN923, you must surely be aware that the reverse applies in most credible organisations.

Public relations is the art of managing relationships.

Marketing is one strand of that work.

Most companies that place PR within their marketing function tend to have a limited and reactive approach. But attitudes are changing.

And your credentials to make that statement are?

Moggy

Seven years in the PR and marketing industry

Associate of the Chartered Institute of PR

Vice President, sectoral group of the CIPR 2006-7

Your credentials for disputing it are?

Just a few random thoughts…

(Sorry about the migrane. The red mist seems to have distored the reality… 😉 ) The usual ‘there’s somewhere where the sun always shines’?

Well, I suppose if you want me to actually look into these things and produce evidence to support my assertions!

Seriously, none of those examples concern huge amounts of money – even Thrust SSC had a tiny budget compared to, say, Formula 1 (and now I mention it, name a major UK company that is a title F1 sponsor, despite the fact that most of the best F1 teams are UK based). And it took a Swiss company to keep the Sea Vixen in the air. Rolls and BAE have stepped in with some pocket money to support their own heritage – and good on them, it’s fantastic that they do even this much. But when it comes to forking out even a fraction of the money they spend on TV advertising, the majority of UK companies don’t want to know.

Red mist has parted somewhat, but I stand by my point, minus some of the bile!

The aerobatic shots really brings it home the balls these ladies have.

…So to speak… 😮

Classy stuff. Really looking forward to airshow season now!

Start with ‘good morning/afternoon/evening, my name is …….’

Follow with a short outline of the talk. ‘And I would like to talk to you about…’

Give a brief overview in three bullet points:

Groups of three are always good – Churchill did this all the time (Never, in the field of human conflict, was so much (1) owed by so many (2) to so few (3). Or This may not be the end(1). This is not even the beginning of the end(2). But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning(3) ). It makes things easy to remember and it helps to give structure.

Above all, prepare well and rehearse better. This will give you the chance to make the content of the speech second nature and you can concentrate on delivery and your audience.

Use notes or cue-cards – not a written speech. Use each bullet as a brief subject area you can talk about spontaneously. You could try memorising your introduction, and selected sections that you want to be particularly powerful.

Good luck!

He is clearly a heretic, and should be pitied. 😎

Is it me or is the Inquisition’s heart not really in it these days? :dev2: