Rating: 
Summary: Intense drama and great aerial action
Review:
I watched this over about a 72 hour period, having picked it up at the local library. I must say I went into it thinking it would be a "lives and loves" type of fighter pilot movie or television that I've seen many times over the past 30 years (2001's Pearl Harbor or 1976's Baa Baa Black Sheep come to mind) -- a typical cheapie type production that focused more on the loves than the fighting of the fighter pilot.
I was wrong, and I'm glad.
This six hour epic takes the viewer on a historical voyage. It starts in mid 1939, just before the outbreak of WWII, and shows the point of view from the inexperienced Royal Air Force's Hornet Squadron. The squadron goes to France and suffers many losses -- just as real RAF squadrons did at the time -- due to outdated and wrong tactics.
It takes the viewer up throuhg the Battle of Britian. But there's none of the hero garbage that comes with so many movies and TV shows.
It's drama and conflict, and it ends with pilots happy to be survivors.
It's a great show for anybody interested in the period or in just good acting.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: A key thing to remember when watching this series is that it is based on a novel with a bit of a Catch-22 feel, not on a non-fiction work as was "Band of Brothers," for example. With that being said, this is an excellent film with fine, understated acting, great writing, and good action sequences. I believe it captured the spirit of the novel quite well. Of course, many plot points are missing, but that's inevitable when transforming a lengthly book to the screen, even when you have five hours to work with! I watch Piece of Cake at least once a year and I never tire of it. In fact, I find new things to enjoy each time. There's actually some extremely funny moments in there; I especially like the interaction between the intellectual intelligence officer "Skull" Skelton and the snobbish Squadron Leader Rex. If you happen to love WWII aircraft, then I can recommend this film to you on that basis alone. The shots of the Spitfires in the air are fabulous and the accompanying musical score is right on.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: A key thing to remember when watching this series is that it is based on a novel with a bit of a Catch-22 feel, not on a non-fiction work as was "Band of Brothers," for example. With that being said, this is an excellent film with fine, understated acting, great writing, and good action sequences. I believe it captured the spirit of the novel quite well. Of course, many plot points are missing, but that's inevitable when transforming a lengthly book to the screen, even when you have five hours to work with! I watch Piece of Cake at least once a year and I never tire of it. In fact, I find new things to enjoy each time. There's actually some extremely funny moments in there; I especially like the interaction between the intellectual intelligence officer "Skull" Skelton and the snobbish Squadron Leader Rex. If you happen to love WWII aircraft, then I can recommend this film to you on that basis alone. The shots of the Spitfires in the air are fabulous and the accompanying musical score is right on.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: A key thing to remember when watching this series is that it is based on a novel with a bit of a Catch-22 feel, not on a non-fiction work as was "Band of Brothers," for example. With that being said, this is an excellent film with fine, understated acting, great writing, and good action sequences. I believe it captured the spirit of the novel quite well. Of course, many plot points are missing, but that's inevitable when transforming a lengthly book to the screen, even when you have five hours to work with! I watch Piece of Cake at least once a year and I never tire of it. In fact, I find new things to enjoy each time. There's actually some extremely funny moments in there; I especially like the interaction between the intellectual intelligence officer "Skull" Skelton and the snobbish Squadron Leader Rex. If you happen to love WWII aircraft, then I can recommend this film to you on that basis alone. The shots of the Spitfires in the air are fabulous and the accompanying musical score is right on.
Rating:
Summary: A Piece of Cake and a Piece of History
Review: A Piece of Cake, follows the exploits of Hornet Squadron as they go off to fight in the battle for France and later the Battle of Britain, as any aviation buff will know we English never sent any Spitfires to France but as there are only 15 air worthy Hurricanes in the world the makers used Spits.This in no way detracts from the film and surprisingly they actually get most of W.W.2 aviation history right, including the battle of barking Creek where in reality the victim of friendly fire was a Hurricane and not a Blenheim, still at least they put it in. My Uncle who flew Spits and Hurries in the battle of France and the Battle of Britain has seen the film and says that its one of the most realistic films that he has seen of squadron life and certainly surpasses the 1969 film the Battle of Britain for historical realism. They did use real Spitfires, Heinkels. M.E. 109's and even a Rapide in the film but clever use is also made of some outstanding models( Only pointed out to me by my uncle) The Flying sequences are superb! there is nothing quite like a Spitfire in flight. A really good film and a must for every aviation Fan, Buy It you wont regret it Warm Regards
Bob Yeoman (England)
Rating: 
Summary: Gritty and realistic view of the early days of WWII
Review: A very well done series that was faithful to the book. True, the part about the Battle of Britain takes place in the latter part of the series. But this work devotes time to the early days of WWII, the "phony" war, a time period that gets little or no attention. You see a rather believeable transformation of this squadron of young men from peace-time pilots to warriors and how they have to disabuse themselves of some notions and become hardened and scarred. What made it more realistic for me was the portrayal of the pilots as human beings, not barracks saints. Some were decent men while others, like "Moggy" Cattermole, were vile. Some got along with each other while there was open hostility between others. Finally, even with the technical flubs such as the squadron flying Mark XI Spitfires with four-bladed variable pitch props in 1939-40(there is a dearth of serviceable Hawker Hurricanes in the world today) and other budget limitations of this being a made-for-TV series, the attention to detail really transports you back. This series has what it takes to be one that can be watched time and again; a good story with good writing and good acting.
Rating:
Summary: Read the book, see the movie, and then fly some flight sim
Review: Both the audio and video transfer are good. The Dolby 2 sound is good. 5.1 would have been better. It is very critical that you first read the book. The character developement in the movie is lacking and therefore some of the scenes do not have the full impact; ie the back armour, Hart's Spain experience, the harmonization of the guns, and Fanny's concerns about leading the squadron. There are significant plot difference between the book and the movie. Upon initial viewing I was very disappointed. However, after flying some Microsoft Combat Flight simulator, and re-reading the book, subsequent viewings improved. If you have not read the book you will be missing a lot of the sub-plot lines that are barely touched upon in the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece Theatre production worthy of the name
Review: Everybody I know who has seen this series has high praise for it. Based on Derek Robinson's superb book, the characters and scenes will stay with you long after you see them. Watch it before or after reading the book, just do both.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece Theatre production worthy of the name
Review: Everybody I know who has seen this series has high praise for it. Based on Derek Robinson's superb book, the characters and scenes will stay with you long after you see them. Watch it before or after reading the book, just do both.
Rating: 
Summary: Piece of Cake - A Bit of a Disappointment
Review: I loved the book. I guess they had to use Spitfires instead of Hurri's to show something flying, but it's too bad. The musical score is wonderful. My major complaint is the diminution of the role of Chris Hart (CH3), and the general watering down of the issues of operational tactics, service snobbery, parochialism and journalistic futility that really constitute the major thematic elements of the story. I really expected better from the British producers. The visual quality of the DVD is also disappointing.
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