 |  | Not bad for a 'Cold War' flick |  |
This film was one of those 'feel good' movies about the U.S. Air Force during the 'Cold War' years of the 50's. The stars of the movie are very old now or deceased (Efrem Zimbalist Jr is still alive, I believe, but I'm not sure about Karl Maldin). Natalie Wood of course has passed on- so sad! Anyway, the story-line centers around the introduction of the B-52 (NOT the song group!) in the mid-50's as the primary strike weapon of SAC (Strategic Air Command). Many of the aerial scenes are well done, including some interior filming of the '52, but, considering the era, I really don't know how accurate their replications were for the film. The story is both a 'National Security' and a 'Personal Family Security' tale; an airman devoted to family and career. Of course, at movies end; 'All's well that ends well'. And that's the way I remember it back then. The B-52's used in that film have long since been gone, with up-dated versions still serving our country. Can you believe that some of these 'crates' are older than the guys who are flying them? Conclusion: A good 'era' film incorporating some 'old-fashioned' family values that seem to be missing today...
February 27, 2008Dedicated Air Force sergeant begrudgingly serves under an old nemesis while transitioning their squadron to B-52 bombers. Master Sergeant Chuck Brennan (Karl Malden) resents his new commander Colonel Jim Herlihy (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) for an incident that killed several of Brennan's men in the Korean War. Despite his distaste for Herlihy, Brennan succumbs to his excitement with bringing the new airplanes into operation. The affair turns out to be a bumpy road as his wife (Marsha Hunt) and daughter (Natalie Wood) begin to pressure Brennan about lucrative civilian careers, and when an intimate relationship develops between Herlihy and Brennan's daughter.
"Bombers B-52" fits in the sequence of features "Twelve O'Clock High (1949)," Strategic Air Command (1955)," and "A Gathering of Eagles (1963)," as the 1957 period piece when the Air Force's Strategic Air Command was bringing in the B-52. Where "Strategic Air Command's" story is straight forward and a bit bland, "Bombers B-52" tries to have more zest with Karl Malden's character, a youthful Natalie Wood, and the B-52's teething troubles, but it's tritely amusing at best. The movie is worth watching for its nostalgic 1957 setting (B-47s, B-52s, cars, fashion, etc.) and some melodramatic humor.
February 15, 2006This movie has some great shots of B-47 and B-52. Natalie Wood was wonderful as she always was. Could not tell if this was Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.s first movie or if he was just being presented by this studio for the first time. Story line a little improbable though. Still a good yarn for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon though. Woould recommend it for history viewing also.
December 19, 2004I wasn't sure what to expect when I finally got around to watching this movie, I really liked it. It has great shots of
B-47's and B-52's in action, the story line was good (although not probable, a squadron CO would be canned immediately for what the movie character was doing), and I thought it portrayed the life of a military aviation mechanic fairly accurately (I was one in the Navy). If you enjoyed Jimmy Stewart's "Strategic Air Command" you'll enjoy this movie.
I gave it four stars because the story line is stretching it a bit but overall I enjoyed this display of Cold War Era SAC equipment. May 30, 2003
| | | Bombers B-52; SAC The Way It Was | |
If you served in the Strategic Air Command as I did, you'll appreciate the movie footage of our Cold War Warriors in action and their tangled lives behind the scenes. A great retrospective about SAC and the way it was, versus the way it is now.
September 3, 2000More reviews at Amazon.com ...
Daily Birthdays
(7 reviews)