The whole pilot discussion comes down to having too many variables to be conclusive. By the time the individual pilot level is reached, the heirarchy and efficacy of the particular political/military/industrial/technical/philosophical matrix will always have more of an impact than individual skill.
Afterall, for all the skills of the Axis pilots, they lost. I think that's one fact no one disputes.
A higher order discussion has to do with individual motivation, not comparative ranking. I'm sure that would make a far better movie than just a kill count.
I think I can imagine the sense of desperation that the RAF pilots felt in August of 1940. But what about that sense of desperation combined with disillusionment felt by some Luftwaffe pilots in 1945? How did those pilots reconcile themselves with the good arguments to surrender, and the good arguments to fight on? THAT would make a good movie, me'thinks (the whole original point of this thread).
The Guadacanal story would be great. I'd also appreciate it from the Japanese side, like that Brando flick ("Young Lions"? Didn't it have Dean Martin in it?). Both sides are told. Two paths are developed that cross in one tragic point. Conflict: the essence of drama.
Now, don't get me wrong: my heart lies with the GI's of WWII. I'm not trying to say that presenting the Japanese point of view can justify or excuse their criminal actions. I'd just like to see them accurately portrayed (though we all know movies are almost always a poor venue for accuracy!).
For that matter, I'd also like to see the war against terrorism in Afghanistan accurately portrayed. And portrayed honestly and accurately from BOTH sides. I'd like to hear what really motivates those Al Queda guys.
Sorry, guys, but I really would like to hear them on film. Just before I get to see them blown up. I mean, sacrifice can be noble and all, but whether Imperial Japanese in '42, Nazi in '45, or Al Queda in '04, fact is, when you're wrong, you're wrong. Bad choice. Time for an attitude adjustment, American-style.
Boom!
DC
Edited by Hurridale, 24 February 2004 - 12:46 AM.