Masters Of the Air - Apple TV

[Cherrypie32]

I don’t think there’s a thread already for this. First two episodes dropped Friday, new one every Friday after. Huge production from Hanks/Speilberg in the style of Band of Brothers and The Pacific, starring Austin Butler and Callum Turner with lots of famous faces in the supporting cast.
So far so good, I enjoyed the start and know nothing about the history involved or the book it’s taken from.

I watched the 1st two the other day and really enjoyed.

Temped now to watch the original BoB as so many people say amazing.

Hugo Rifkind in The Times raving about it.

Watched the first two last night and thought they were brilliant. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.

Loving it so far but a bit like band of brothers, a lot of cast members to get to grips with, some of whom don’t make the next ep…😢 Anyone else finding the dialogue a bit mumbling?

I really wish I hadn’t watched Elvis first though 😂

Wasn’t going to watch until I saw Ncuti Gatwa was in it. He hasn’t appeared yet, but a few of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen are involved. And there’s lots of detail about the planes - so although it seems a bit like retreading old ground, it’s engrossing to watch.

They do love vomit!

For all the acclaim and big names involved, I found the first ep surprisingly formulaic. I assume once we're interested in the characters and the stakes are raised it will be a different matter, so will stick with it.

Almost everything in that first episode happened in Memphis Belle, which took me back but did ruin my enjoyment.

Haven't seen Elvis, but that's still the vibe when you look at Austin Butler, so will need to get over that as well.

I think it's a series that may benefit from repeat viewings once all these distractions are out of my head!

I loved Memphis Belle! I feel like it’s going to have to have more than a flying mission every episode to keep me focussed. I couldn’t believe Barry Keoghan popped up 3rd in the credits, considering the press he’s had for Saltburn this has never been mentioned.

It feels too Gung Ho USA! Look at our boys what heroes woohoo.

the beauty of band of brothers (one of the best tv shows of all time) was that it very realistically portrayed young men signing up out of patriotic duty (and the better pay as one of the veterans at the start said) sure but also how bitter and resentful they become of what they endured and the unrelenting savagery which they don’t rejoice in. They watched their friends die in horrible ways and by the end they were broken exhausted men desperate for home. It was a beautiful portrayal of friendships and the bond between soldiers forged through trauma not a pro war propaganda piece. It’s in my
top 3 shows of all time.

Also they looked like regular guys. Austin butlers Hollywood golden boy looks seem quite out of place and the whole thing seems too bright and glorifying. The dialogue fees quote clunky too. Not like real conversations.

Okay, you’ve convinced me, @Faffandahalf - Band of Brothers added to my Now TV watchlist. (Though lack of Austin Butler and Callum Turner in a TV show is Not a Good Thing.)

Don't get too excited - he's only in it very briefly once the black airmen are finally allowed to fly.

I loved the flying sequence but I found the dialogue hard to follow, too much mumbling.

Anyone still going with this? Me and DH really enjoying it! This weeks episode a tough watch though!

Yes we are still watching it! It’s great!
Agree latest episode was hard to watch ☹️ some terrible things happen in war

Still loving it here! DH and I suspected who Bucky would find in the POW camp…

Agree it must’ve been terrifying. Makes you feel even more for the ordinary people in Ukraine doing this right now.

Just think what the RAF could have done with that bomb sighting machine, it literally took over flying the plane. They shared it with us eventually but it was so technologically advanced was the equivalent of a self driving Tesla !

It was obvious the way they studiously avoided Bucky that he was going to pop up as a POW.
It’s good but not a patch on Band of brothers

We're enjoying this too and think they've done a great job on this series.

In Donald L Miller's book there's quite a long section on the POW experience. I think there's a tendency to imagine that once you'd bailed out and were captured, that was the end of the war for you and you were pretty much safe. Egan's journey from downed pilot to the POW camp wasn't quite as shown here, but they've used it to reflect the experiences of a range of airmen, some of whom were beaten or almost lynched by angry mobs. Others, as shown, didn't make it to the camps at all, and that was a tough watch.

On a lighter note, I enjoyed the parts in Oxford with Harry Crosby and Sandra Westgate. That was nicely played.

I'm looking forward to seeing this once we get around to finding another free subscription. Band of Brothers was amazing, Pacific I didn't think was as good.
My grandad flew in Lancasters in the war so I find this aspect of the war interesting.

DH fell asleep I switched it off and put on Love is Blind instead.

Aww I enjoyed this week’s episode. Love Bel Powley.

Hmm …

It was all exceedingly well produced. But I’m beginning to find the manipulation of my emotions just a little - gratuitous.

I loved Band of Brothers and Memphis Belle.
I just found the main characters insufferable so only watched one episode.