Movie Reviews for All the Fine Young Men 1984
Information and Film Reviews for All the Fine Young Men the Movie
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This documentary recreates the two most dramatic WWII air battles that took place in Germany: The October, 1943 attack on the Schweinfurt ball bearing plant and the March 1944 Berlin air raid.
Home Vision Cinema, c/o Image Entertainment, 20525 Nordhoff St., Ste. 200, Chatsworth, CA 91311, URL: http://www.homevision.com
Available on (VHS) Running time 52 minutes.
Cast and Crew
- Genres
- World War II
- Producer
- NBC
Visitor Reviews
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I had the foresight to record this documentary when it aired in 1984. It has been out of print since then. I dust it off on occasion to watch it again and it never fails to choke me up as one 8th Air Force vet struggles to explain how they as young men climbed into their aircraft day after day when they knew the odds of them surviving 25 missions were less than 50%. He says simply "How could I not go, when none of the other guys didn't?" That kind of dedication and self sacrifice is hard for someone never exposed to the warrior ethic to understand. My father was a 30 year USAF man who served in Korea and Viet Nam and in his 77 years, I never knew him to complain about an order, an assignment nor shirk from a task no matter how unpleasant. I recently found a wonderful picture of a B-26 taken from the tail of another plane in the same squadron that reminded me of the subject of the video. The picture is poignant to the point of tears. It is so clear that you can see the pilot, co-pilot and top turret gunner/crew chief peering out of the cockpit wind screen at the camera. The Bombadier is clearly visible too, taking a deep drag on a cigarette. You can see the curls hanging down the copilot's forehead, a look of concentration on his handsome face. The picture makes it very clear how close the confines were in their fragile aluminum warship they were willingly taking in harm's way. It makes you realize that the air war in WWII was fought by very brave young men. It also makes you wonder if they survived. The photo now does service as my screen saver a constant reminder of the valiantry and sacrifice of so many brave young men.
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As an Airborne Infantry Veteran of the War in Viet Nam, I was, for a very long time, somehow selfish in my views that only those on the ground were able to fully understand warfare and the heartache that it can bring to those who find themselves involved. After watching this video some time in the late 80s, I now have an entirely different attitude and great respect for Bomber Crews of WWII Europe. This is a wonderfully done documentary that will take you not only into the vicious air battles that these young men were exposed to, but into their hearts and souls as well. You will feel their sorrow and learn what motivated them to climb back into those War Birds of the day so as to make yet another trip deep into the heart of Germany and continue on with the effort. This is MUST viewing for any and everyone.
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As the son-in-law of a B-17 veteran, I watch this documentary with special interest. It is superb. It captures the action of combat, but it also delves deeply into the psychology of combat as experienced by the 8th Air Force. It is accurate and poignant - sometimes almost too much. This presentation is an excellent example of the art of film meeting the reportage of journalism, with the result being documentary at its best. In case anyone wonders, the title is taken indirectly from the title of an old Irish folk tune.
