The Blue Max (1966)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written by David Pursall, Gerald Hanley, and Jack Seddon, based on the novel by Jack O. Hunter
Directed by John Gullerman
Starring George Peppard, James Mason, Ursula Andress, Karl Michael Vogler, Anton Diffring, and Jeremy Kemp

Features:

• Original trailer
  

Released by: 20th Century Fox
Region: 1
Rating: NR, safe for 13+
Anamorphic: Yes

My Advice: Buy it and watch it often

Set in the waning years of World War I, The Blue Max is one of the best WWI movies and one of the best war movies I have ever seen. Unusual among historical war movies in that it concentrates upon WWI at all (most films are instead concerned with the sequel), it also shows the war from the point of view of the Germans, something that Hollywood has feared to do recently.

Bruno Stachel, as played by Peppard, is a German peasant surprisingly promoted to a position in the elite German Air Force, an almost unheard of honor, but he’s that good of a pilot, as we are allowed to see. His life, however, is not without prejudice, as the enemies he faces on the ground are almost as eager to destroy him as those he faces in the sky. Stachel, however, will not reduce himself to their level, choosing instead to live by his own code of honor that may make things more difficult for him, but ultimately prove him as not only the better pilot, but as the better man. His goal is to earn the German medal that gives the film its name, the Blue Max, not unlike the American Medal of Honor or the Prussian Iron Cross.

The cast does an excellent job of keeping the action moving and making the heroes sympathetic and the villains more than just stock evildoers. Peppard is just wonderful as the benighted Stachel, and Ursula Andress is the perfect match as the snobby and passionate Countess von Klugermann. Keep an eye out for Carl Schell as the enigmatic Baron von Richthofen. Mason’s pragmatism and honesty are balanced nicely by Kemp’s snobbery and accented by the decadent and indolent nobility, represented in part by Andress.

There are no features on this other than the original trailer, so more’s the pity. Peppard and Mason are no longer with us, but it would have been wonderful to hear Andress reminisce about this film. Other features could have included a look at the planes of WWI or the historical context of the Blue Max and the battle between the nobles and the peasants, a concept not exactly familiar to most modern Western audiences. This film could have taken a cue from some anime productions even, and provided some cultural liner notes or a glossary of terms; even the biggest history fan could learn more.

The audio and video quality of this release are quite high. The visuals are as stunning as you could hope for in a film about flying, and the actors, especially Peppard and Andress, are allowed to light up the screen as much as they can. The sound is clear and lovely, even over the occasional roaring engine. The stock footage is a bit faded, but probably no more so than it was when the film was released in 1966.

Basically, if you love movies about pilots, war, or just complex characters then you will love The Blue Max. The rags to riches, nobles vs. the peasant tale isn’t nearly as heavy-handed or cliché as you might fear; this film is no Mighty Ducks, in other words. If you enjoy action, adventure, even love stories, or just beautifully filmed movies, then you will absolutely want to get this one today.