World Famous Comics: NOVA - Who Killed the Red Baron?
NOVA - Who Killed the Red Baron?
Directed By: Peter Nicholson Average Rating: Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC Label: WGBH Boston Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: January 06, 2004 Running Time: 60 minutes Theatrical Release Date: 2003
Description: On April 21, 1918, during one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, Manfred von Richthofen took off in his bright red Fokker triplane on what was to be his final mission. The legendary Red Baron plunged into a furious dogfight against Allied fighters, and was last seen hotly pursuing a Sopwith Camel deep into Allied territory. What happened next has been debated and disputed for more than 80 years. The triplane landed roughly in a field with the famous ace, who had an astounding 80 kills to his name, shot dead through the chest by a single bullet. But who was the triggerman who downed the Red Baron?
Since that fateful day, many have received or claimed credit for the Red Baron's demise. But now, with the help of modern forensics and recently discovered eyewitness accounts, NOVA discloses a probable new identity for his killer.
Featuring state-of-the-art animation and vivid aerial footage of original and replica fighters re-enacting the ferocious dogfights of World War I, NOVA cracks one of the most puzzling of all aviation mysteries. Along the way, NOVA also reveals the extraordinary story of how World War I air combat advanced from a gentlemanly sport to a grim and deadly science in just four short years.
Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.
On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.
Interesting but not conclusive Although I found this most interesting and informative, I was rather disappointed to find that it did not state conclusively who had fired the fatal round. Verdict: a good attempt, but still speculative.
Tracking the Baron Telling three stories in one, "Who Killed the Red Baron?" is another excellent episode of Nova. The program traces Baron Manfred Von Richthofen's life from childhood, when he was taught to hunt by his father from an early age. When a young man Richthofen joins the cavalry but, after the advent of trench warfare renders horses obsolete, finds his destiny with the fledgling German Air Force.
The program also follows the evolution of aerial combat, beginning with pilots shooting small arms from the cockpit to the vicious "dog fights" and "flying circuses" that were commonplace by the end of the Great War.
Finally, the title question is tackled: who did kill the Red Baron? It has often been assumed that a British pilot named Roy Brown was responsible, but some forensic evidence has cast doubt on that conclusion. It now seems likely that Richthofen was felled, not by another pilot, but, by ground fire from an Australian unit as he passed overhead that fateful day.
Exactly who fired the fatal shot, we'll probably never know; however, the show presents two of the most likely possibilities and lets the viewer draw his own conclusions.
Excellent camera work and flight recreations round out this fine program. Four stars!
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