On thinking about this film a little more, I have a little hope that perhaps good things can come of it. After all Cruise is an aviation enthusiast himself, and a warbird owner. He probably has a sense of the historical angle I hope.

Michael Mann seems to have a good reputation though I haven’t seen much of his work.

And I see that the script is to be based upon a book by Alex Kershaw (has anyone read the book?) so the film may perhaps not stray too much from that, which I assume is based on the facts.

The worrying thing about the writing side is it is being adapted for the screen by a man who also wrote a Star Trek film – YIKES! I hope we won’t see Cruise boldly going where no pilot has gone before – ie into complete fictional nonsense 🙂

But yes Snapper, you’re right – there is hope that it won’t be another of Hollywood’s blunders. It may turn out to be a cracker of a film. I still hope that aviation experts like we here from the forum can try to get along to the flying filming to gently nudge the filmmakers in right directions if they need to.

And I truly hope that the film will use Hurricanes instead of Spitfires – that would make it so much more watchable even if the story is good or bad. Fingers crossed.

I’m looking forward to hearing more info on the film as it comes available, such as who else will be in it, and where it will be made, etc.

Yep, you’re right Dan. Sorry about that. I did not mean to imply that every audience member is stupid. The way I see it is that no matter what, people still go to see bad films and pay the same amount as they would for a good film – because for many, particularly in the USA, it is a habit to go see the latest movie rather than a discerning choice.

The hollywood machine doesn’t give a toss so long as people are still paying to see their films. And that’s it, people do, despite it all. And generally the producers and directors won’t go the extra yards to get things right because they don’t feel the need to. Audiences are never going to become so discerning that they boycott films from bad directors or bad production companies or bad actors. There is little that can be done by us to persuade the makers to get things right.

Saving Private Ryan was a superb film, and Schindlers List and The Pianist are masterpieces. I actually also think Enemy At The Gates is pretty good indeed.

Windtalkers was appaullingly bad, utter rubbish, Cage and Woo should be shot. Same goes for Pearl Harbor and many others. And i can say this because i paid to see them – just like everyone else. So they made bad films and still got my money, so they are happy. And they don’t care that I’m not happy with those films.

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I’d also suggest folks start getting on the case of their own film makers to do the job right instead of being so dependent on “Hollywood”. I don’t recall seeing anything particularly worthwhile coming out of any other countries either.

Dan

I don’t know. Generally speaking, the British cinema is usually superior quality without the huge budget, as is their TV in most cases.

And as far as film industries go, the Kiwis are doing a pretty good job. And there is a major film in production here now that will be including vintage aviation too, made by a director who does care about getting things right and about his audience, so I look forward to seeing that one.

I attended the Dawn Parade in Cambridge at 6.00am this morning, and it was as moving as always. This was followed by a retreat by all to the nearby pub for the obligatory cup of rum with a tot of coffee, and then at 9.00am the Civic Parade commenced, which has a longer service and the returned servicemen are joined by civil units of the town on parade from ambulane and police personnel to Scouts aqnd Guides.

Between services I met an incredible old chap, very interesting. He’d lead a Company in the 18th NZ Battalion at El Alamein and had gone through Crete and Greece, and more. He was wearing many medals including the DSO. But he pointed out another with a green ribbon and said “I’ve got a much rarer one here. It’s a Greek Military Medal. It’s the only one in New Zealand.” I felt so humbled. This guy was truly a hero who’d done a great deal for us, and he’d been honoured and reverred by many countries. This is what the ANZAC Day experience is all about, remembrance and learning.

I am so pleased to hear that Johnny Checketts still going well. He was apparently rather ill last year but puled through to full health I hear. He is one of my biggest heroes. He still works for the RNZAF even in his 90’s, as a volunteer at the museum at Wigram. He has done much for the museum, including being one of the ‘Moth Doctors’ who restored the museum’s and the Historic Flight’s Tiger Moths. Thjough I used to see him round base I never had the opportunity to chat with him. I wish I had.

I did salute him once, or so he thought. My mate and I were on our way to a parade. He was walking towards us, and there was an officer behind him, whom we were obliged to salute. We did, but Johnny thought we were saluting him. He saluted back and said thanks. I absolutely loved this and saw it as a wonderful moment, but my naive mate laughed and asked me what the heck was that old guy thinking? I said “Don’t you know? That was Wing Commander Johnny Checketts, fighter ace. I’d rather salute him any day than that bograt Pilot Officer!” He agreed once I’d explained.:)

Not quite military but there is a bit of a connection, because while I was based at RNZAF Base Wigram in Christchurch, NZ, the NZ Police operated a leased Wilga from the base for around 6 months. This was about 1992. They used it for spotting dope crop plots, to free up the RNZAF helicopters that usually carried out the work.

This interesting and very odd plane was housed and I think maintained by the RNZAF for the police, but I think the pilot was police or maybe even a contracted civvie. Not sure on this.

Surprisingly this one is not mentioned on Phil Treweek’s comprehensive website that lists practically every NZ aircraft ever. I’ll have to ask him about it when I next see him at uni.

http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/wilga.html