Der rote Baron (2008)

German biopic loosely based on the World War I fighter ace Manfred Von Richthofen, nicknamed the Red Baron by friend and foe alike.

Director:

Nikolai Müllerschön (as Nikolai Müllerschoen)

Writer:

Nikolai Müllerschön

Stars:

Matthias Schweighöfer, Lena Headey, Til Schweiger

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tomás Koutník	...	Young Manfred von Richthofen
Tomás Ibl	...	Young Lothar von Richthofen
Albert Franc	...	Young Wolfram von Richthofen
Matthias Schweighöfer	...	Manfred von Richthofen
Maxim Mehmet	...	Sternberg
Hanno Koffler	...	Lehmann
Til Schweiger	...	Voss
Richard Krajco	...	Hawker
Joseph Fiennes	...	Brown
Steffen Schroeder	...	Bodenschatz
Lukás Príkazský	...	Kirmaier (as Lukás Príkazký)
Lena Headey	...	Käte
Ondrej Volejník	...	1st German Soldier
Jirí Wohanka	...	2nd German Soldier
Iveta Jirícková	...	Redhead Whore

Storyline

Baron Manfred von Richthofen is the most feared and celebrated pilot of the German air force in World War I. To him and his companions, air combats are events of sporty nature, technical challenge and honorable acting, ignoring the terrible extent of war. But after falling in love with the nurse Käte, Manfred realizes he is only used for propaganda means. Caught between his disgust for the war, and the responsibility for his fighter wing, von Richthofen sets out to fly again.

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Plot Keywords:

pilot | fighter pilot | embroidery | world war one | zeppelin | 

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Taglines:

Heroes Rise. Empires Fall. Legends Endure.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Biography | Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for war violence, some disturbing images and brief suggestive material

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany] (German, English) Official site [Japan]

Country:

Germany UK

Language:

German English French

Release Date:

10 April 2008 (Germany)

Also Known As:

The Red Baron

Filming Locations:

Czech Republic

Box Office

Budget:

€18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,931, 21 March 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$36,569, 11 April 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

Niama Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min 129 min (long)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Val Kilmer was initially considered for the title role, even though during filming he would have been in his late 40s, at least 20 years older than the real Manfred von Richthofen ever lived to be.

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Goofs

In Lanoe Hawker's final scene his aircraft seems to change during combat. In the movie Hawker flies and is eventually shot down in a (anachronistic) S.E.5. When Hawker is being chased by Richthofen the camera switches to a rear shot of Hawkers plane. In this scene Hawker is not flying a S.E.5 but probably an equally anachronistic "Sopwith Camel" (or any plane other than S.E.5) judging by the shape of the latter's wings. When Hawkers aircraft is hit and starts to smoke he is seen flying a two-seater with an observer/gunner in the rear seat. On the ground Hawkers aircraft switches back to the S.E.5.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Bodenschatz: Are you out of your bloody minds?
Manfred von Richthofen, Sternberg, Voss, Lehmann: [in unison] Yes, sir.
Bodenschatz: You risk the squadron planes to attend an enemy funeral?
Manfred von Richthofen, Sternberg, Voss, Lehmann: [in unison] Yes, sir!

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: The Book of Eli/The Spy Next Door/Fish Tank (2010)

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Soundtracks

Open Skies
performed by Reamonn
composed by Reamonn
published by b612 publishing / Reamonn Publishing

User Reviews

missing target

Few days ago I read an interview with Schweighöfer in which he's wondering why "The Red Baron" didn't get any subsidies. "Maybe they didn't like the script". They were right! And I don't think, the script was too controversial... I wish, it'd be. It's a pity that private financed productions like "As far as my feet will carry me" or even Vilsmaier's "Marlene" and now "The Red Baron" have producer's that are obviously willing to make the best movies they can, even without public money. they spent their budget on the cast, effects, good looks but they don't have a clue what to do with their values. They hire authors and directors who turn out to be just unable to cope with their projects. And most of the critics just complain about historical facts... I don't get it. It's a movie! But a badly told one. If you want to make a movie about a world war pilot who tries to be the best, then tell us, how he does it. And not in the main case, how he tries to win a nurse's heart! There are a lot of good love stories around, but THIS is the story of guy who liked to fly and shoot down enemies. If you pick it, stick to it. Don't be ashamed of your choice. It's quite funny to see a few quite impressing battle scenes, but the battles that mattered for the story are simply ignored. They get on the plane. Cut. Hospital. Everything that matters in the story is in the dialogs, not in actions. And even the important dialogs are filmed in cowardly undramatic distant shots... A waste of talent, chances and money.