Best WWI Aviation Movie Ever

[Colin A Owers]

I have just come from the opening of the best WWI made to date. On a multi screen format Peter Jackson and Weta Digital have combined with the Australian War Memorial to produce a magnificent 20 minute film that captures the spirit and ethos of WWI aviation in 1918.

Peter J's three S.E.5a fighters and Sopwith Camel reproductions fly as well as his Fokker Dr.I triplanes, and these are mixed with digital Albatros D.V fighters in a whirling dogfight in the valleys in the clouds. The S.E.5a fighters are marked in No.2 Squadron, AFC, markings - my small contribution was to supply photos of these aircraft, and the R.E.8 is from No.3 Squadron, AFC. The reproduction R.E.8 is non-flying but is digitally made up into a squadron with the aircraft being moved out of the hangar and past others that are moving up to the flight line all at the same time.

The Camel attacks a balloon and non-Hollywood style has to make a number of runs before it catches fire and falls.

The multi-screen shows the battle from different views and splits from full screen, into two or three or four separate screens at a time.

The screaming dogfight of S.E.5a, Dr.I and D.V fighters is joined by a flight of Fokker D.VII fighters that stumble on the scene.

This film is part of the AWM's new WWI aviation gallery with its "Over the Front" exhibition. You can see original S.E.5a, Pfalz D.XII, Albatros D.Va, Avro 504K and De Havilland D.H.9 on display with other artifacts. Bombs, balloon basket, machine guns, etc, all related to the Australian Flying Corps and the war in the air.

I don't know how often the film will be shown daily, but there is a continuous screening of actual WWI film on at all times. This includes the usual film we have become used to but also the Frank Hurley film of No.1, 2, 3, and 4 Squadrons AFC.

The film is free - but you have to come to Australia to see it!!!!!!

Cheers

Colin A Owers

[rainbase]

I can only imagine how cool this film must be! How fortunate for us that the era's greatest film maker is also a WW1 aero buff.

I also believe that WETA is creating a bunch of clips like this for the museum in Omaka, a series that will tell the story of the first air war as you travel through the exhibits. Exciting stuff.

[alex_revell]

Colin,
Bloody hell!! Can't this be put oline somehow. Please.
Regards
Alex

[FliegerJG1]

Kudos to Peter J for his latest contribution to our beloved hobby, pasttime, or profession! The multi screen format would make it feel almost like actually being there. Sounds like he has created quite a gem!! If only it could be made more widely available.....if only Australia & New Zealand were closer!

FliegerJG1

[sheppo]

Gday Colin

I was standing beside you as you were chatting to Gene, but didnt recognise you. By the time Gene had pointed you out you had dissappeared into the throng.

I really enjoyed the video/mutimedia presentation and think it stands as probably the best modern footage made up of WW1 combat yet. The digital aircraft are blended with the real & it was very nicely done. The Se5a squadron line up and take off was magic.

I do have only one negative comment however...the albatros fighters had a very poor showing. Plenty of them, but they were spanked, trounced and shot literally to pieces! AAAAARGH!!

Lots of saxon green & white stripes which is my long time favourite scheme, & this didnt hurt my appreciation of the film one bit.

If you can get to the memorial then be prepared to watch this one over and over again. In fact, put aside a good few hours for this. The screen is enormous and curved which means you will miss many things in the movie on one side while focusing on the action elsewhere.

Without getting too carried away this movie does more for the image of ww1 aircraft in action than pretty much every ww1 movie ever made rolled into one...And I dont think thats an exagerration at all.

I do hope that the fellows from NZ will make a small screen version of this for distribution. There's a subtle & thinly veiled hint there...
The new exhibit is a must see part of any visit to the AWM & the footage is meant to run a few times per hour Im told.

Well done to all the staff, helpers, contributors involved in bringing the WW1 aircraft in the collection to life.

Chris

[sheppo]

I particularly liked the balloonists faintly heard abuse of the offending camel pilot as he descends swinging by parachute.

[Gregvan]

Hi Colin,

This is magnificent and exciting news! I certainly hope that a DVD version (in multiple formats) will be available someday. I would pay a lot for that....since I won't be getting to Australia anytime soon.

Greg

[Colin A Owers]

Gosh, Alex and guys, I am sorry, but I understand that the AWM commissioned the film and own it, so it will not be seen anywhere else for a long time if ever.

The thing is to hope that Peter will be able to bring this type of production where you are immersed in the presentation to a wider audience. If I remember correctly there is only one word of dialogue in the whole presentation.

I forgot to say that the aircraft move like real aircraft, not the ridiculous speeds of the "Flyboys" feature. As Sheppo said, real aircraft with digital aircraft, and except for the Albatros and Fokkers, who could tell if it was a digital aircraft or a real one.

The backgrounds of New Zealand were removed and French ones substituted so wonderfully well that you could not tell you were not in France. Even if you are not interested particularly in aircraft, this presentation would blow you away.

I will not rave on any more, but you can guarantee it will be a point of pilgrimage from now on as there was so much to see, you will not get it all in one viewing.

Up the ANZACS!!!

[Flug Werke]

Colin, sorry I missed catching up with you last night. I got a chance to talk to Sheppo but as did he, I missed you in the cast of thousands.

Last night was my first chance to see the film with the sound running (and to be paying attention rather than driving a cherry picker assisting with last minute prep in the gallery).

General consensus seemed to be that the exhibition works very well. I hope all who come to see it get as much of a kick out of it as the folks who were involved did. A very rare opportunity to work with objects like these.

Oh, and the film should be running hourly, although when during the hour, I'm not sure.

Drew

[JDK]

It is very good, but let's not over-egg it, eh?

What about the Fokker's tailwheels for instance?

Anyway, I'll be able to make a valid comparison to one of the great Great War movies next Friday - 17th December in Melbourne. Heads-up for the Melbernians.

Melbourne Cinematheque 2008

The Dawn Patrol.