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Reviews
A Fighter Pilot's Story (1993)
One of the best WW2 air war stories from a man who lived it
This moving story was largely woven from letters between Quintin's wife and himself and covers the entire range of his service from induction through training, air battles, and discharge. It is written with both humor and pathos.
Unfortunately, someone broke into his locker and filched most of the gun camera shots made from his own airplane, but he made up for this with many other gun camera shots that will keep you riveted to the TV screen. Most of his squadron mates and close friends didn't survive the war. His story is told with style and class.
This film will show you the reality of the WW2 air war as it really was without the usual Hollywood artistic license and embellishments for effect. Get a copy of this fine film if you can find one. It's a keeper.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
Could have been a terrific flick but was a downer for no reason
It's hard to comment on this movie without a spoiler but I'll try. ... The bulk of the plot depicts a "marathon dance" in a large indoor dance hall in the early-mid 1930's during the depths of the depression. Every penny was valued. The couple wore numbers like athletes. The couple who stayed on their feet and kept moving the longest was declared the winner and entitled to a $1,500 prize, a huge sum in those days.
I remember seeing a real marathon dance at the Texas Centennial in 1936 and can say this film gave a very realistic portrayal in every way. This part of the film rates a solid 10 for showing the viewer what these Marathon "Dances" were really like. People were unbelievably down on their luck and would do just about anything to get their hands on some money or a job. It was a very sad and painful period in our history.
There were many interesting though tragic sub-plots in the film, and these could have been developed further. A different beginning and ending could have made the film into a masterpiece. The acting and directing were good, but the unnecessarily contrived and depressing beginning and ending turned it into a dark and depressing downer. This aspect wasn't "art," it was stupidity.