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Product Description
New airforce recruit Peter Firth takes an instant dislike to his embittered squadron leader, Malcolm McDowell. But as the young pilot experiences the tensions and stresses of warfare, his dislike turns to admiration. The film features excellently photographed aerial dogfight sequences. Also starring Christopher Plummer and John Gielgud. An airborn remake of the 1930 trench-bound 'Journey's End'.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, SYNOPSIS: Malcolm McDowell plays a World War I air ace, in charge of the elite 76 Squadron. Outwardly a bastion of courage, McDowell dies a little every time one of his boys is killed. To steel his nerves, he takes to drink, which has an adverse effect on his abilities. Christopher Plummer staunchly portrays McDowell's commanding officer. Aces High is a remake of Journey's End (1930), which in turn was based on a play by R.C. Sheriff. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Aces High
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The opening scenes show our "Ace" GRESHAM telling his old house that "We are caning them. You will want to cane them too when your turn comes. I only hope it isn't all over before you get the opportunity"
The film revolves around, and tries to recapture, the life of a scout squadron " somewhere in France" 6 months after "Bloody April 1917" during the First World War. I first watched this film as a child in the early 80's and even at that tender age, found it rather moving given the fact that the aim is not to glamourise war but to demonise it. For RFC purists, there are a few anomilies, mainly that 76 Squadron RFC was never used as a fighter squadron. That aside, The story was well constructed, the cast impressive and nearly 20 years later, I still feel this is a film that can be watched over and again A firm favourite in mine and Pete Tarski's eyes. Thanks for reading my review.
The film revolves around, and tries to recapture, the life of a scout squadron " somewhere in France" 6 months after "Bloody April 1917" during the First World War. I first watched this film as a child in the early 80's and even at that tender age, found it rather moving given the fact that the aim is not to glamourise war but to demonise it. For RFC purists, there are a few anomilies, mainly that 76 Squadron RFC was never used as a fighter squadron. That aside, The story was well constructed, the cast impressive and nearly 20 years later, I still feel this is a film that can be watched over and again A firm favourite in mine and Pete Tarski's eyes. Thanks for reading my review.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Aces High is one of very few films about World War One air combat. I also believe that it is the best. It is intense, yet its laid back scenes are very good as well. I've owned this on VHS for years, and have finally replaced my well worn tape with this DVD release. Whilst devoid of special features (not even a trailer), this is worth the price simply to watch this very good film. I did notice at least one little part of the film which is cut from the DVD. It is in the French restaurant scene, and a risque joke by Wade appears to have been cut out.
Otherwise, the DVD is nice. The picture is slightly blemished, put not distractingly so. On the whole, this is a very good buy, and comes highly reccomended. If you liked The Blue Max, you'll like this (in fact, some footage from the Blue Max is used in this picture).
Otherwise, the DVD is nice. The picture is slightly blemished, put not distractingly so. On the whole, this is a very good buy, and comes highly reccomended. If you liked The Blue Max, you'll like this (in fact, some footage from the Blue Max is used in this picture).
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Hood1941
Format:DVD
Based on R.C Sherriff's play 'Journey's end', Aces High is a gripping introduction for anyone wanting an insight into air combat during the First World war. A young Colin Firth is wonderful as the fledgling hero 'Croft' and McDowell proves once again that he is one of the U.K's most underrated actors. Christopher Plummer gives another highly polished performance.
As in Journey's end the idealistic youngster joins the unit commanded by a man well known to him and his family, his sister's fiancee, who is now a decorated and experienced fighter. The youngster's idealism fades however as he realizes that in spite of his friend's success in the war, Greasham is close to breaking point. The movie shows very well how young pilots with insufficient training, no parachutes and overworked unreliable aircraft became 'Fokker fodder'. The aircraft used lack the realism of the DR1's, DV11's and SE5a's seen in the Blue Max, but the quality of the story and the acting more than make up for that. This film is a fine tribute to the real Mannock's and McCudden's of the Great war and shows the horror of that conflict most ably.
As in Journey's end the idealistic youngster joins the unit commanded by a man well known to him and his family, his sister's fiancee, who is now a decorated and experienced fighter. The youngster's idealism fades however as he realizes that in spite of his friend's success in the war, Greasham is close to breaking point. The movie shows very well how young pilots with insufficient training, no parachutes and overworked unreliable aircraft became 'Fokker fodder'. The aircraft used lack the realism of the DR1's, DV11's and SE5a's seen in the Blue Max, but the quality of the story and the acting more than make up for that. This film is a fine tribute to the real Mannock's and McCudden's of the Great war and shows the horror of that conflict most ably.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
dismal
if you have any respect for human nature or a passion for flight dont bother with this,its so unbelievablely trivial and mediocre
Published 2 months ago by kw baggott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aces High
Saw this film on TV years ago and found it strangely moving in addition to being a worthwhile way of passing a couple of hours. Fast forward to the present day. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Earnest Scribbler
3.0 out of 5 stars
High above the trenches 14 days is a long life...This is the 15th day!
Its an anti-war film. That's it. No great epic, no great direction, no good production values and certainly not even original. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lord Anon
5.0 out of 5 stars
The horrors of WW1...
I decided to add this to my collection after seeing it numerous time over the years on TV. Arguably one of the finest WW1 films ever made, Aces High portrays the often very short... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. B. Hayes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most touching of war films
I find this to be the most touching of war films. It's about the cruelty and the waste of war. The acting by Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer, Simon Ward and the rest of the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Simba the Lion
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fair enough..
Its quite nice.. The air action is good enough though not perfect.You see a lot of Se5s in action which is great,but the german planes, especially the ones you see in close up DF,... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2010 by Martin V. Elm
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Powerfull War Film
This has got to be one of the most powerfull war films of all time.
It deals with the innocence of youth in the harshness of a brutal war. Read more
It deals with the innocence of youth in the harshness of a brutal war. Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2009 by Jo Van
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Palpable Miss
This has been eulogised by many as a good First World War flying film but it is as outdated as Hells Angels. Read more
Published on 14 July 2009 by Kered Nosta
4.0 out of 5 stars
1st Class
First class film and good story line, the flying sequences were excellent, it brought out the class difference well but portrayed the RFC as i would imagine it, the link between... Read more
Published on 5 April 2009 by Michael Lyons
2.0 out of 5 stars
notgoodfilm Macdowell chews threw scenery
Pointless rehash of RC Sherriffs 'Journeys End' set in the air to give it a bit of audience appeal.
Mcdowell's usual crazy-man act and his seventies hair cut dominate... Read more
Mcdowell's usual crazy-man act and his seventies hair cut dominate... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2009 by Grushenko
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