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The Blue Max

The Blue Max

War · Action · Adventure · 1966

A young pilot in the German air force of 1918, disliked as lower-class and unchivalrous, tries ambitiously to earn the medal offered for 20 kills.

Movie details

The Blue Max

“There was no quiet on the Western Front!”

1966 War · Action · Adventure 2h 36m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

A young pilot in the German air force of 1918, disliked as lower-class and unchivalrous, tries ambitiously to earn the medal offered for 20 kills.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Blue Max?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Aces High

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Memphis Belle

Memphis Belle

Drama · 1990

The "Memphis Belle" is a World War II bomber, piloted by a young crew on dangerous bombing raids into Europe. The crew only have to make one more bombing raid before they have finished their duty and can go home. In the briefing before their last flight, the crew discover that the target for the day is Bremen.

The Young Lions

The Young Lions

War · 1958

The lives of three young men, a German and two Americans, during WWII.

Against the Sun

Against the Sun

War · 2014

A WWII pilot, bombardier, and radioman find themselves adrift on a lifeboat without food or water after being forced to ditch their plane during a scouting mission.

Rob Roy

Rob Roy

Adventure · 1995

In the highlands of Scotland in the 1700s, Rob Roy tries to lead his small town to a better future, by borrowing money from the local nobility to buy cattle to herd to market. When the money is stolen, Rob is forced into a Robin Hood lifestyle to defend his family and honour.

The Bridge at Remagen

The Bridge at Remagen

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Dunkirk

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The story of the miraculous evacuation of Allied soldiers from Belgium, Britain, Canada and France, who were cut off and surrounded by the German army from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk between May 26th and June 4th 1940 during World War II.

The Purple Plain

The Purple Plain

Drama · 1954

An RAF airfield in Burma in 1945, during World War II. Canadian bomber pilot Bill Forrester is a bitter man who lives haunted by a tragic past. He has became a reckless warrior, and is feared by his comrades, who consider him a madman. Dr. Harris, the squadron physician, is determined to help him heal his tormented soul.

Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Guillermin

Written by

David Pursall · Jack Seddon · Gerald Hanley

George Peppard

George Peppard

Lt. Bruno Stachel

James Mason

James Mason

General Count von Klugermann

Ursula Andress

Ursula Andress

Countess Kaeti von Klugermann

Jeremy Kemp

Jeremy Kemp

Willi von Klugermann

Karl Michael Vogler

Karl Michael Vogler

Colonel Otto Heidemann

Anton Diffring

Anton Diffring

Holbach

Harry Townes

Harry Townes

Kettering

Court is in session

Put The Blue Max on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.