Rating: 
Summary: Top of the Line War Flick!
Review: I've seen most war flicks and this one from 1966 is definitely one of my personal favorites (other favorites include Apocalypse Now, Where Eagles Dare, Platoon, The Eagle has Landed, etc.). "The Blue Max" is about a World War I German Soldier, Bruno Stachel (George Peppard), who "graduates" from ignoble trench warfare to the aristocratic air officer corps. Stachel is naturally a fish out of water with his new higher class comrades-in-arms; but this doesn't seem to bother him one iota. Stachel is only interested in gunning down twenty enemy planes to get the coveted Blue Max, Germany's Medal of Honor. In fact, he is so focused on this goal that he'll do anything to achieve it, honorably or dishonorably. The vibe of the movie is ultra-realistic. Critics of the flim have complained that Stachel is an unlikable character and therefore not a very good hero to root for. It is true that Stachel doesn't seem very friendly (how friendly would you be with high-class "gentlemen" after years of brutal trench warfare?). It's also true that he's selfishly ambitious (he totally rebels against the team spirit of his squadron). He's also an alcoholic and an adulterer. But as the German general played by James Mason states: he's brave, ruthless and driven -- exactly what Germany needs at the closing months of the war. People who make the above criticism miss the point. Real life offers up few perfect heroes to root for. People, situations and motives are more complex than this. And this pic nobly attempts to be a realistic portrayal of air combat in World War I. In other words, the story should just simply be digested as is without looking for a hero. The movie is universally praised for its scenic and compelling air combat scenes, but some folks inexplicably criticize the drama on the ground. Personally, I find the ground story equally as interesting as the air fighting. Besides, mindless non-stop action movies are for juveniles (of course, like any guy I have MY juvenile moods). Other highlights include a brief appearance of the Red Baron, the ravishing Ursula Andress (Undress?) as the general's adulterous wife and an excellent musical score by (Jerry Goldsmith (who else?). The cinematography and locations (Ireland) are excellent. The overall look of the movie is cold, dark, cloudy and wet. In other words, kind of depressing. But, of course, World War I was no happy day at the beach! The Blue Max is truly a movie of epic scope; definitely one of THE GREAT war movies. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Top of the Line War Flick!
Review: I've seen most war flicks and this one from 1966 is definitely one of my personal favorites (other favorites include Apocalypse Now, Where Eagles Dare, Platoon, The Eagle has Landed, etc.). "The Blue Max" is about a World War I German Soldier, Bruno Stachel (George Peppard), who "graduates" from ignoble trench warfare to the aristocratic air officer corps. Stachel is naturally a fish out of water with his new higher class comrades-in-arms; but this doesn't seem to bother him one iota. Stachel is only interested in gunning down twenty enemy planes to get the coveted Blue Max, Germany's Medal of Honor. In fact, he is so focused on this goal that he'll do anything to achieve it, honorably or dishonorably. The vibe of the movie is ultra-realistic. Critics of the flim have complained that Stachel is an unlikable character and therefore not a very good hero to root for. It is true that Stachel doesn't seem very friendly (how friendly would you be with high-class "gentlemen" after years of brutal trench warfare?). It's also true that he's selfishly ambitious (he totally rebels against the team spirit of his squadron). He's also an alcoholic and an adulterer. But as the German general played by James Mason states: he's brave, ruthless and driven -- exactly what Germany needs at the closing months of the war. People who make the above criticism miss the point. Real life offers up few perfect heroes to root for. People, situations and motives are more complex than this. And this pic nobly attempts to be a realistic portrayal of air combat in World War I. In other words, the story should just simply be digested as is without looking for a hero. The movie is universally praised for its scenic and compelling air combat scenes, but some folks inexplicably criticize the drama on the ground. Personally, I find the ground story equally as interesting as the air fighting. Besides, mindless non-stop action movies are for juveniles (of course, like any guy I have MY juvenile moods). Other highlights include a brief appearance of the Red Baron, the ravishing Ursula Andress (Undress?) as the general's adulterous wife and an excellent musical score by (Jerry Goldsmith (who else?). The cinematography and locations (Ireland) are excellent. The overall look of the movie is cold, dark, cloudy and wet. In other words, kind of depressing. But, of course, World War I was no happy day at the beach! The Blue Max is truly a movie of epic scope; definitely one of THE GREAT war movies. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Watch it for the battle scenes
Review: If any thing, the battle scenes really do carry the movie. They are not only spectacularly shot on a wide scale that gives you the feel of a real World War I battlefield (although the hand-to-hand combat could have used some work) but the directing in the movie itself uses a lot of movement and stylistic shots that I rarely see in films before the 70's (or late 60's, for that matter). The script itself I was impressed with too. The storyline, like the film "Cross of Iron," is centered around the lust of a character for a highly decorated medal. In this case it is the "Blue Max" (also known as the Pour le Merite, a medal that Erwin von Rommel himself won in WWI). The main character is determined to get it, at first simply to prove himself to the other aces in his squadron...but finally because he personally desires it. It ultimately leads him to become an "anti-hero" as other reviewers have called him, climaxing in a scene where he disobeys orders and attacks a British squadron, resulting in half of his unit getting whiped out...all so he could have three kills. There is more levels added to this when James Mason, playing a conniving Count/General, gets involved and uses our hero as a pawn, ultimately bringing him down quicker than he brought him up. This surprised me, as it's almost an exact opposite role of his character in "Cross of Iron"...but Mason is a wonderful actor and manages to come through. The only downside of this movie is - like so many movies - the romance. Ursula Andress doesn't really add much to the film except romance and a nipple peek. OK, maybe you could say it's his lust for women as well, but I often found that when watching the film I could skip each scene involving her and my knowledge of what was going on was hardly touched. I have to also add it was very annoying that they chose to garb her in more 1960's fashion than 1910's: fake eyelashes, a headband to hold back hair, and dresses that look like they should be worn by Twiggy. She looks silly and out of place with the other women, who are garbed in correct period clothes. Overall, however, I was impressed with this war film. If you want to watch some excellent dogfights, a WWI film, or you just want to see some action, this will be the film for you.
Rating:
Summary: A flying fan's movie
Review: If you are a fan of flying or WWI aircraft, this movie is worth the price. The planes steal the show, though, as others have noted, the transfer was made from an apparently scratched film, which is a little surprising. Nonetheless, all the detail is there with an attention that even grognards will appreciate. Peppard does the best acting of his career, imho, and his performance will be an eye opener to all those who only remember him from such lame work as "The A-Team." But the aircraft are what the movie is about. The dogfight sequences are meticulously arranged. Those viewers with experience in ACM will be able to follow what is happening and what the pilots are trying to do with only a few instances leaving you with "How'd he do THAT?!??"
Rating:
Summary: For WWI airplane buffs especially
Review: If you like airplanes, especially WWI types, then you should like this movie. George Peppard is perfectly cast as the arrogant, egotistical, smarmy German pilot who dreams of glory. The flying sequences are beautifully shot. The love triangle involving Ursula Undress is important to the story, but gets in the way of the airplanes. A propros de rien, the Fokker DrI triplane is the most aesthetically beautiful WWI airplane - combining a triangle, circle, and rectangle. Shoulda had more in the movie. The ending is kinda neat, even though you sort of know what is going to happen. The way it is shot was good.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best movie I have ever seen.
Review: If you're a fighter pilot or a "want to be" and if you like realism, nostalgia, war movies, and fighter pilot movies; you should love this movie. The flying scenes are good, more realistic then many of the special effects they use nowadays. They mostly used real planes. I would hardly call it a miscast; George Peppard played a very convincing fighter pilot. The characters are realistic. They all have flaws and a good and dark side like all real people. The people that say George Peppard was a miscast, must be judging him on his latter works, witch have gotten more hokie like most of Hollywood. Today's movies don't seem as good. Today's movies tend to have unrealistic characters, overpaid actors ect... the later part often makes them skimp on the script, additional actors ect... It seem much of Hollywood has gone to their heads lately and the movies have suffered for it. Some of the old movies seem better then the newer ones. The Blue Max is a true classic. I don't normally care for the drama part; but each time I see The Blue Max, I see more depth in the characters.
Rating:
Summary: Hubris Can Only Fly So High
Review: John Guillermin's 1966 film about Bruno Stachel (George Peppard), a common German soldier during WWI who joins the Luftwaffe. Socially out-of-league with his aristocratic companions and eager for respect, Stachel will stop at nothing in pursuing honor in the form of the Blue Max, the most prestigious aviation medal.
The recurrent theme is hubris/arrogance and how it affects the human condition. All of the characters are driven by ambition and are amoral to a certain degree. Bruno Stachel has the most humble of origins (a peasant who first served in the trenches) and so is the most arrogant of the characters. He knows he's an ace pilot but is unable to earn the respect of his fellow officers because of his low social status. In his mind, he can earn the social respect he covets by earning the medal: then, he feels, people will have no choice but to respect him. Ironically, the respect he obtains is nothing more than the arrogance of others. Arrogance from his superior (James Mason) who needs to create a hero to look good himself as a commanding officer. Mason is quite the pragmatist in creating a hero to the point of letting Stachel sleep with his wife (Ursula Andress)to boost his confidence. The countess needs the fire of a young hot-head like Stachel to fulfill her desires: she only needs her husband to preserve her lofty title of Countess. Unfortunately for Stachel, there's a price for being the hero, and the greatest heroes are often those who die prematurely. Quite aware of this and tired of being cheated on, Mason's character realizes all too well the value of having the glory of a dead war hero illuminate his stale command.
Alltogether a great film with good cinematography. The film quality is excellent for this almost 40-year old film: so good, one would think it was filmed recently but for the actors in it. The dog-fight scenes are some of the finest ever to be filmed. The film is well balanced between the combat scenes and the personal drama: the theme is well carried by the plot. All of the actors perform quite well. I personally think that George Peppard performed his role competently: his being out-of-place or uncomfortable enhanced his performance instead of limiting it. Bruno Stachel is a character who is supposed to feel out-of-place and uncomfortable in his social surroundings: he exceeds in skill and arrogance to compensate for his insecurity. In sum though, the acting is top-knotch with great direction. It's a film not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Now that was dogfighting!!
Review: No fire and forget missiles or stinking radar needed. I first saw this movie when I was 9 years old and it was one of the forces that lead me to become an aerospace engineer. I watched it last night and I couldn't believe I actually finally owned the movie 29 years after first seeing it on TV. I think Peppard did a great job of making his character quite believeable. The real drama in this movie is in its suble moments. As when the General told his wife to come along or they would be late for lunch while a plane created a smoking hole in the distance. Peppard's contrasting views on death on the battlefield/air and his commanding officer's view of chivalry was quite thought provoking. And of course the air combat scenes are fabulous. No CGI but the real thing. Most of my fellow engineers have never even heard of this movie. That will soon change around here.
Rating:
Summary: Best WWI movie and one of the best about flying
Review: Only a few movies come to mind when I think about WWI movies. Most people are familiar with "All Quiet on the Western Front". Some even know about "The Great Waldo Pepper" and maybe even "Paths of Glory". This is one of the handful of great movies about that period and probably the best in my opinion.
If you liked "The Great Waldo Pepper" with Robert Redford you should certainly enjoy this one. With the skilled acting of George Peppard, James Mason, Ursula Andress, Jeremy Kemp, and the rest of the cast we have an instant classic. The flying scenes are spectacular. The dogfights are very well choreographed and draw you into the drama and danger.
We see a simple foot soldier through fate and ambition become Germany's greatest ace. Fortunately I did not suffer any picture or sound issues as expressed by some. My DVD picture and sound quality is great. The DVD includes some extras but even if it had none this movie stands on the wonderful cast, sets, music, and direction. Any fan of war movies will definitely enjoy it and most women that may not be fond of war movies will find George Peppard's performance interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Loved the movie.
Review: Seeing George Peppard flying WW1 fighters instead of running the A-Team was quite a hoot. But seriosly, this movie showed well the life of a pilot (and former ground soldier) in the last year of the war coping with proving himself to the other squadron pilots of 'higher birth', to the point of obsession. To him, the 'Blue Max' was more than a medal: It was a badge in order for him to show himself to be the equal of the aristrocratic classes. Very enjoyable.
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