Fighter pilot (film)

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Movie
German title Fighter aircraft
Original title The Hunters
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1958
length 105 minutes
Age rating FSK 12
Rod
Director Dick Powell
script Wendell Mayes
production Dick Powell
music Charles G. Clarke ,
Tom Tutwiler
camera Paul Sawtell
cut Stuart Gilmore
occupation

Kampfflieger (original title: The Hunters ) is an American war film , directed by Dick Powell in 1958 based on the novel of the same name by James Salter . The premiere in Germany took place on October 10, 1958. The film was shown on German television under the title Kampfgeschwader Kobra .

action

Major Saville, a World War II aviator veteran, is desperate to fly an F-86 Saber in the Korean War . His commander, Colonel Imil, puts him in command of a squadron. Among Saville's pilots is the new, talented but overconfident Lieutenant Pell.

In a dogfight, Pell abandons his Rottenführer Lieutenant Corona, who is shot down and dies trying to land. Saville wants Pell to be transferred, but Imil is against it. After all, Pell was the best at Aviation School. Imil also sees Pell as a younger edition of Saville.

Another pilot, Lieutenant Abbott, has the problem of not being consistent enough. Abbott's wife, Kristina, is concerned and asks Saville to keep an eye on her husband. The two fall in love. Abbott notices this and proposes a deal to Saville: His wife for the opportunity to shoot down the most feared enemy aviator, "Casey Jones", should the gang meet him. Saville is outraged and rejects him.

Abbott actually runs into "Casey Jones" on a mission, but he is quickly shot down far behind enemy lines. Then Saville shoots "Casey Jones". In order not to let Abbott down, Saville sets up his machine near him. Pell takes the approaching North Korean infantry under fire, but is also shot down himself. The three men must now try to get through to their own lines.

On the way they are supported by a Korean farmer and his family. When a North Korean patrol approaches, the Americans hide, but leave a flight jacket lying around. The family is executed for trying to escape, but Saville and Pell take revenge. After their successful return, Abbott is sent home to recover. His experiences made him understand. He asks his wife Kristina for a second chance, whereupon she goes with him.

Reviews

"Technically cleverly made war film with undisguised militaristic propaganda."

- Lexicon of international film

background

  • Most of the flight scenes were filmed over the American Southwest.
  • The enemy MiG-15 fighters were represented by repainted F-84F Thunderstreaks .
  • Cameraman Tom Tutwiler was responsible for the aerial shots.
  • Dick Powell, a former actor, made his fifth and final directorial work with this film. Powell was also known as a singer and composer. Screenwriter Wendell Mayes also began his acting career.
  • Composer Clarke received a special Oscar in 1944 and an honorary Oscar in 1980.
  • Other award-winning employees were: art director Lyle R. Wheeler (Oscars 1940, 1947, 1954, 1957, 1960), set decorator Walter M. Scott (Oscars 1954, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1967, 1970), costume designer Charles Le Maire (Oscars 1951, 1954, 1956) and special effects cameraman LB Abbott (Oscars 1968, 1971 and Special Oscars 1973, 1977)
  • Major Robert E. Wayne and Captain Vernon L. Wright, both of the US Air Force, served as technical and military advisers .

See also

Korean War

Web links

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ cf. Lexicon of International Films 2000/2001 (CD-ROM)