The Blue Max

The Blue Max is a 1966 war film about a ruthless German World War I fighter pilot. Otto Heidemann [suspecting his subordinate, Bruno Stachel, of lying about shooting down two planes] Two three-second bursts. Is your marksmanship that good? General Count von Klugermann [on being informed Stachel has been wounded in the arm] Good, the people like soldiers to be shot in the right places. Dialogue Otto Heidemann: What does your father do? [Pause] Bruno Stachel: He works in a small hotel, Herr Hauptmann...five bedrooms!" Willi von Klugermann: A pretty medal, the Blue Max. Bruno Stachel: It's the only one worth having. People respect it. Willi von Klugermann: The medal or the man? Willi von Klugermann: By the way, Stachel. There's an impression around that you care more about your unconfirmed kill than you do about Fabian's death. [Pause] Bruno Stachel: Perhaps it's force of habit. In the trenches, we couldn't even bury the dead; there were too many of them. I've never had the time to discuss them over a glass of champagne. [Willi von Klugermann informs Stachel that their commander has ordered him to attend a ceremony honoring the men he killed] Willi von Klugermann: He believes in chivalry, Stachel. Bruno Stachel: Chivalry? To kill a man, then make a ritual out of saluting him. It's hypocrisy. When they kill me, I don't want anyone to salute. Willi von Klugermann:They probably won't. General Count von Klugermann: Otto, this is 1918. Things have changed. Unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians, poison gas. Ask your wife; she's a nurse. Ask Elfi about the mustard gas casualties. Otto Heidemann: So you approve of this kind of ruthlessness! von Klugermann: We fight to win, Otto. Cast George Peppard - Leutnant Bruno Stachel James Mason - General Count von Klugermann Ursula Andress - Countess Kaeti von Klugermann Jeremy Kemp - Leutnant Willi von Klugermann Karl Michael Vogler - Hauptmann Otto Heidemann Anton Diffring - Holbach Harry Towb - Kettering Peter Woodthorpe - Rupp Derek Newark - Ziegel Derren Nesbitt - Fabian Loni von Friedl - Elfi Heidemann Friedrich von Ledebur - The Field Marshal Carl Schell - Manfred von Richthofen Hugo Schuster - Hans, Elderly Servant Alex Scott - The Orator Roger Ostime - The Crown Prince External links Category:1966 British films Category:1966 American films Category:Films directed by John Guillermin Category:World War I films Category:Airplane films Category:1966 English-language films Category:British war films Category:Films about social class Category:Films based on American novels