![]() ![]() They have to radio for help when it comes down to that. Part of the dramatic punch of "Flight" is that our heroes fly jets that have no guns on board to retaliate with during an airborne enemy assault. The aerial sequences rank among the very best, particularly when the A-6s explode in the air as the pilots bail out. Navy to ante up all that fabulous equipment for an anti-war movie still amazes me. "Red Dawn" director John Milius' big-screen adaptation of the Stephen Coonts novel "The Flight of the Intruder" upholds not only the finest traditions of the Hollywood aerial combat epic, going as far back as Howard Hawks' "The Dawn Patrol" (1930) as well as its gild-edged 1938 Errol Flynn remake, Mark Robson's "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" (1964) and Walter Grauman's 1964 British fighter-bomber classic "633 Squadron," but also issues a highly-politicized, anti-war statement without undercutting its high octane ingredients. It's well made and very enjoyable.Ĭall it "Top Gun" with balls. a lot of more modern movies just plaguarise footage from earlier movies, which really detracts from them when you're going "Hey! That shot was from Flight of the Intruder!" I give Flight of the Intruder a 10/10. ![]() There is quite a bit of original footage in this movie, which is really great to see. With the aid of his new bombardier, "Tiger" Cole, Jake decides to bomb an unauthorised target to vent his frustration at being forced to fight the war with one hand tied behind their backs. But when on a pointless "toothpick mission" (Blowing up a bunch of trees) Jake's bombardier is shot and fatally wounded by small arms fire, Jake becomes disillusioned, and angry at the political restrictions on the war. (As usual, the book is much better than the movie it's well worth the read) Flying an A-6 Intruder may not be quite as glamorous as the "Fighter pukes", but Jake Grafton (the principal character) wouldn't swap it. Flight of the Intruder is based on the book with the same name by Stephen Coonts. Perhaps I should say "A really great movie *if you like planes*". ![]() If you are clueless about aviation and just want a no brain entertainer, stick to topgun. This movie is a real gem and a must see for anybody interested in aviation or war related movies. The combat and dogfight scenes were far more realistic than topgun even if they looked a bit less flashy. So were the SA-2 Divinia SAMs that were fired by the thousands. Also unlike Topgun, where the MiGs were fake aircraft and really American F-5s, the MiGs in this movie were real MiGs. The combat scenes are brilliant and the way they show the intensity of anti-aircraft artillery and machine gun fire from the ground really illustrates the difficulties of air warfare. Perhaps some people just don't consider the old A-6 Intruder bomber as glamorous as an F-14 Tomcat fighter? Unlike Topgun, this movie is faithful to facts and the footage is much much better. The first in the hugely popular Jake Grafton series, it also marked the beginning of Stephen Coonts’ career as a bestselling author.I can't understand why TopGun is so hyped yet nobody has even heard about this movie? Sure its not as glamorous or stylish but it is far more realistic. Told with an authenticity possible only from someone who has shared the experiences of his protagonist, Flight of the Intruder is widely considered a classic of naval aviation fiction. They choose a new target: a Communist Party centre in Hanoi an unauthorized mark that not only defies the American military’s rules of engagement, but one that will require all the skill and nerve they can muster. Grafton is next paired up with veteran bombardier Virgil ‘Tiger’ Cole, and it doesn’t take long for the two to formulate a plan. Navy aviator Jake ‘Cool Hand’ Grafton and his bombardier-navigator Morgan ‘Morg’ McPherson are only too aware that each flight could be their last. And when a farmer’s bullet hits Morg during an attack mission on yet another suspected truck depot, Grafton is forced to question whether these missions are really worth risking their lives for. A vicious war is being fought on the ground, but in the skies above, life is perhaps even more precarious especially for those flying the A-6 Intruders just above the treetops.
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