I just watched this on BluRay, after reading the reviews, I wasn't expecting much. I was wrong, the aerial combat scenes were spectacular, albeit not enough of them and too short. That said, the acting seemed to hint of indie. Not bad, but no Saving Private Ryan either. I guess this was released in Europe in 2008, but here in 2010. For you American's who did not see it, its pretty good. They took some liberties, for entertainment sake, but overall, fairly accurate. The airplanes, both in the air and on the ground are outstanding to see. My two cents.

Silver, what , exactly, did you think was "fairly accurate," about it?
"Some liberties" when referring to this film, is like saying the Grand Canyon is, "a little deep."
Now fine, you like this film. I thought it was positively awful. Those are just matters of opinions, and naturally, there is no right or wrong.
But Silver, I don't know how much you know about Manfred Von Richtofen, but believe me, this was not his story! NOTHING about this film is accurate except the fact that there was a flyer named Manfred Von Richtofen
The Baron was not the rebel, they made him out to be. He was Prussian aristocracy, and bred from childhood to be a good soldier. Richtofen would never have dreamed of disobeying orders.
The scene where he tells the Kiaser that Germany is being defeated and should surrender, is totally rediculous. He was a loyal German and even if he had ever harbored such thought inside himself, he would never had voiced it to anyone. Especially the Kaiser!!!! And there is no written or verbal indication anywhere that he ever had those feelings.
Even the flying scenes were inaccurate. The caption on the screen says it's 1916, and we see a huge formation of SE-5's. No SE-5's in 1916. And Lanoe Hawker wasn't flying one! He was in a little DH-2 pusher the day Richtofen killed him. And he didn't wear a goatee, for Petes' sake!
The scene where the whole squadron takes off at night to intercept a bomber formation is another silly one. A huge airial night battle in World War One! Really? Didn't even realize they had radar back then!
The love angle. Every one of the biographies I've read of the man , said the same thing. All who knew him told of him being shy and rather awkward with women. It was his brother Lothar who was the lady killer. He liked to drink and caruose with the local ladies, and as a matter of fact, he was killed in a plane crash in 1922 with a famous German film star. You'd never know it from the movie. It showed him to be a real creep and whiner! He was actually very well liked. So, why change history? They based the whole relationship with the nurse around a single photo taken of them both when Von R was in the hospital, recovering from his wounds. That's it!
And speaking of changing history, do you really think that Roy Brown and Richtofen became freinds? Really now! And Brown didn't shoot him down the first time. He was shot in the head by the gunner of a two seat FE-2B. Why not show it that way!!
I could go on and on. We never find out anything about the man, from this film.Did you know that when the war started, he was a cavalry officer? And he did some time in the trenches. Did you know he took his flying exam three times before passing it? No, the movie didn't think those things were important. Why tell the real story....lets make one up.
Like I said, awful. And like I also said, just my opinion. I still think that "The Blue Max" is the best World War One flying film. Again, just my opinion.

@Pooch- Amen! Blue Max forever!
@Silver- I also liked The Red Baron (2008) and I feel outright dirty about it! lol It is like liking a Snoopy arcade flight game, knowing that you should look elsewhere, but being drawn in anyway! lol

Well, I thought it was a good movie anyway!

I agree completely. Maybe not the most historically accurate but a thourghly enjoyable movie compared to most of the crap I get on netflix.

I also just got Blue max again and I think it is probably the best ww1 flying movie of any released so far.

Regards
Pawgy

Dawn Patrol lads, Dawn Patrol - it has its flaws but it beats either movie with ease.

If you want a decent WW1 fix, Wings - BBC series from 1977 just released on DVD, well worth it for a view of WW1 air war in 1915.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wings-1-2-DVD-Ti...0749&sr=1-1

Can't get it here in the states. According to the chart, the DVD's are not viewable outside Europe.

Hi Guys,
I too have just viewed "The Red Baron". Today in fact.
Pooch is absolutely correct with his opinion.
After 15 minutes of viewing I was wishing that I didn't know
as much as I do about the history of WW1 aerial combat.

Did Voss really put a Bentley engine into his Fokker Dr1?

It was only after I decided to continue watching this movie
as a story about a 'German flyer' and not as a story about "The Red Baron"
that I started to enjoy the film.

I did enjoy seeing the paint jobs on those Albatross Dv's
and Fokker Dr1's. They did seemed to be somewhat accurate.

According to this movie the relationship between Kate Otersdorf
and von Richthofen was well known amongst the pilots in his Staffel.
Seems she was in the habit of visiting his aerodrome quite frequently.

Also according to this movie von Richthofen shot Roy Brown down
when Brown was piloting an RE8 and actually saved his life.
Later on they both shared a drink together behind German lines
and then returned to their appropriate squadrons after.

In away I'm glad the movie ended the way it did.
von Richthofen in his Fokker Dr1 before his last flight....fad to black.
God knows how the director would have screwed up that
significant last combat scene for us....

This film made MGM's "Flyboys" look really good.

For the sake of history and to show today's public about the WW1 conflict
in the sky. Not to mention honouring von Richthofen's memory.
What was the point of this movie anyway?

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Hi Polovski,
I remember that BBC Series "Wings" and was hoping it would be released as a DVD.
That was the series that got me interested in WW1 aviation bi-planes some 40+ years ago.
Here was also a second season series of "Wings" that continued the story
and had more flying scenes in it as I remember.
Thanks for the headsup on this one....

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A few years back, way back, say mid 80's early 90's, there was a movie called
"Richthofen and Brown". I think it was more historically pleasing.
In it Richthofen was protrayed as an aristocract and Brown had a severe drinking problem.
Then there was also a flim called "Aces High" which was pretty good too!

Cheers mates
David

If it has two wings aircraft in it I will buy it. Dawn Patrol is my all time favorite
followed by Blue Max, Red Baron and Brown/ Flyboys/ Red Baron and all the rest with airplanes in them. I spotted the # 8 episode of wings on U tube looks good to me. Does anyone know if it is 4 sell here in the U.S. ?