The Blue Max.  1966. Starring George Peppard, James Mason and Ursula Andress. 

I checked out the movie from the local library.  I wanted to see something with George Peppard in another movie.  One of my favorite movies is Breakfast at Tiffanys (1961 w/ the absolute adorable, and perfect Audrey Hepburn).  The critics consensus was that Peppard was not a great actor, and could have been nearly any “nice looking adroit” to fill the role of Paul 'Fred' Varjak in “Tiffanys.”

I agree with that, I guess... He seemed to be a precursor to a much sweeter, warmer Robert Redford in Barefoot in the Park (1967).  There is even some resemblances in the two actors.  Of course, most people my age, remember Peppard as John 'Hannibal' Smith from the TV series, The ‘A’ Team, and even before that, in the early-70’s television “insurance investigator” series, Banacek. 

In this movie, Peppard plays  Lt. Bruno Stachel an ambitious German foot soldier that works his way up to rookie German pilot in WWI (1918) that tries to prove himself  by earning “The Blue Max,” the coveted medal awarded to top pilots which shoot down 20 or more enemy aircraft. 

It’s a long movie (156 minutes), and even an “intermission” in the 3^rd reel.  There is little to like about the characters.  You have bad people engaged in bad things to the benefit of no one except themselves.  I think it should play well in movie theaters today, frankly (but I digress).   

Stachel (Peppard) finds himself taken underwing by the General Count von Klugermann (Surly James Mason), to make him a sort of golden hero of the Fatherland.  Stachel decides he wants to be a top pilot, and the General gives him the chance.  He joined a squadron, where he meets his idol Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen, the Red Baron, himself.  (Yes, he of the 1966 Royal Guardsman tune, Snoopy vs. The Red Baron). 

Along the way, Stachel manages to piss off nearly everyone, due the huge chip on his shoulder.  Stachel comes from humble backgrounds, and is hateful of the more “elite” and pampered pilots in which he finds himself.  Class distinction was a hard thing to overcome in Germany. 

He does nothing to endear himself to his fellow pilots, when he shoots down his first “kill” as he ignores that his flying partner shot down.  He was upset that no one could then confirm his first downing.  His nemesis is the wily “Willi” von Klugermann.  He’s the big man on campus, and coincidentally the nephew of the General. 

Enter the General’s wife…. (One towel away from wow… Ursula Andress)  Willi’s “aunt by marriage,”  which doesn’t preclude her from engaging in some naughty inter-family canoodling.  And since….well, Willi had her, therefore Stachel must as well.

 

In what becomes a pissing match, Willi wins the coveted “Blue Max” first.  Stachel, not to be out-done isn’t interested much in the fact that the German Army is beating a hasty retreat (Via, the Americans have finally entered the war)… he wants his prize, and all the recognition that goes with it.

Eventually, this leads to an all-out macho flying match.  Willi ends up crashed and burned, and the two fighters claimed by Stachel give him his “Blue Max.”  This prompts Commander Otto Heidemann  to a confrontation with Stachel, who has grown very tired of the pilot’s ego and ambition. 

Yet, the General that built up Stachel as a German war hero.  For the “good of the guard” Stachel cannot be accused of negligence.  The General asks the Commander to rip up his report. 

Meanwhile, Stachel is feeling much like the rock star.  So much so, he tells the countess what he really thinks of her.  Scratch one cougar countess. 

The end is a rather satisfying moment where the mighty egos all fall down.  Like I said, it’s hard to like anyone in the movie.  The only person even remotely decent in the movie is the flight Commander Otto Heidemann , who knows the war is lost….all he wants to do is be with his wife in Berlin. 

The plot of the movie is interesting, like a soap, yet the aerial footages make up for the characters.  According to IMBD, Peppard actually flew his own plan during some of the sequences.  

*Interesting Personal Note:  The Theme music (start of the movie) for the Blue Max…  is written and conducted by the legendary Jerry Goldsmith.   There is a striking similarity to another soaring aerial battle movie called “Star Wars,” Music composed by the equally amazing John Williams.  I’m not saying there is anything diabolical here…but it is odd the themes are somewhat eerily similar.  See what you think.