One of my favourite films. A very funny story made even more so by a brilliantly underplayed performance by Lino Ventura, portraying an hitman sidelined by a very annoying travelling salesperson played not as badly as some critics have suggested by popular songster Jacques Brel. This movie is so laugh-filled one wonders where more recent comedies so have failed. A must-see for film fans.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Above and Beyond
(2006)
A Great Story Waiting To Be Retold
12 November 2014
As others have noted, this film's low budget clearly shows. Moreover, in an effort I expect to make it more palatable to prime time TV audiences, it is melodramatic in the extreme, and distractedly so to anyone with an interest in aviation history.
On a positive note, the film captures some of the reality surrounding the establishment of a wartime transoceanic air ferry service. The contribution made to the Allied effort was immense. Tens of thousands of desperately needed multi-engine aircraft were delivered to the Royal Air Force and others. The alternative of transport by ship in U-boat infested waters was too risky and inefficient. Moreover, reliance wholly on military air crew would have been too wasteful of scarce resources.
"Above and Beyond" unfortunately reduces heroic history to theatrical pablum. Hopefully and before too long, another production organization will step up and do it right. The story is too important not to be told or, as is necessary in this case, retold.
On a positive note, the film captures some of the reality surrounding the establishment of a wartime transoceanic air ferry service. The contribution made to the Allied effort was immense. Tens of thousands of desperately needed multi-engine aircraft were delivered to the Royal Air Force and others. The alternative of transport by ship in U-boat infested waters was too risky and inefficient. Moreover, reliance wholly on military air crew would have been too wasteful of scarce resources.
"Above and Beyond" unfortunately reduces heroic history to theatrical pablum. Hopefully and before too long, another production organization will step up and do it right. The story is too important not to be told or, as is necessary in this case, retold.
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