"Flyboys" Movie worth our attention

Self | September 24, 2006 | Oyez

[oyez]

(I havn't posted a topic in years so please bear with me.)

We finally get a story of good American volunteer-ism, comradeship and adventure without the pacifist claptrap. This is the kind of war movie the public has been asking for for sometime. I'm not a movie expert but it is in the spirit of Howard Hughes's "Hell's Angels", but not as classic. It is done in an acceptable context that schools could use as video material. There is no bad language just the pain and horror of war.

I have not read any reviews of the movie, but I can predict the critics will call it another shallow, unrealistic piece of "America saves the world" genera.

Lafayette Escadrille did not save France or anyone else, it gave the French the assurance the Americans were kindred in spirit of the price of freedom.

I sometimes regret America ever got the ball rolling by joining in WWI. Had we not, the war would have ended in 1920. The armistice would have been written with the same mistakes and with seeds for the next war. America would have been spared of the casualties, the expense, the depression of the '30's, and the devastation of the Spanish flu.

Then again we wouldn't have had the dress rehearsal for WWII.

I fear that yet within a few years the clarion call will go out for "America to save us all" once again.

I invite comments form FR. Most are more eloquent than I.

[technochick99]

Was the use of a black pilot also historically accurate? Were blacks an important part of the WWI efforts?

[DocRock]

"Seriously, these things aren't shot with real planes, are they? "

Ken Kellett, a pilot and aircraft restoration specialist for Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida, flew a replica of a Nieuport 17 fighter as a stunt double for actor James Franco in the new movie "Flyboys."

[RJL]

The director, Tony Bill, is himself a champion aerobatic pilot

I was also impressed that the movie's star, James Franco, got his pilots license in preparation for the film.

[gaijin]

I saw the first hour of Dahlia b4 Flyboys, and couldn't stand that trash (Dahlia).

And I'm a real fan of that beautiful woman.

How do they write such GARBAGE?

[oyez]

I think there is some validity to black pilot. Program was of course sponsored by the French who were in many cases interested ability rather than anything else.

The 9th and 10th Cavalry, The 367th, 369th and 370th Infantries all served with distinction once the US was formally in the war.,

[karnage]

Yes, there really was a black member of the Lafayatte Escadrille. All the movie characters are based on real life people.

[unspun]

Thanks for the picture and links. I've heard of the Camel and Snipe, but didn't recall the Buffalo.

Big fan of WWI airplanes, since playing the Avalon-Hill game, "Richtofen's War," long ago.

[PghBaldy]

It would be awfully hard to do I imagine, even with computers. They flew pretty close to each other in dogfights, and were fragile planes.

[PghBaldy]

I hope it stays around long enough for my nephews to see it.

[NormsRevenge]

I am a history nut, enjoy reading and viewing the ww1 ww2 vintage craft, the tales of battle and flight.. this new movie looks pretty intense.. it looks like the
Buffalo was a late ww1 production , not many built.. some pretty unique looking flying devices, for sure.. no way i'd ever gone up in one.

[It Matters]

Check out this site it's cool. It was originally called Escondrille Americaine (sp?) until Germany complained to the U.S. because we were not in the war. So they changed the name.

http://www.wwiaviation.com/toc.shtml

[Barnacle]

Remember, arc welding bare chested is NOT smart!

SPF 55 for sure. Shoes are handy too.

[Hal1950]

Lafayette Escadrille Memorial & Tomb