Documentary about a rescue helicopter crew on their tour of duty in Afghanistan.

September 8, 2008 12:05 PM

Above Enemy Lines (youtube 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is a BBC Documentary about a RAF Chinook crew on their tour of duty in Afghanistan. Part 4 and 5 of the film deal with the crew attempting to rescue a wounded 19 year-old soldier from a combat zone.
posted by krautland (7 comments total)

What is the BBC look? How do they get it that way? Their documentaries seem very different then most of the American documentaries I've seen. Ultra-bright colors, super clear scenes and all that. First noticed it when I watched this documentary. There's a scene from a polo tournament that is absolutely gorgeous. Super bright green grass, crystal clear blue water etc...

Anyone have some insight?
posted by jourman2 at 12:56 PM on September 8, 2008

This reminded me a little of the book Chickenhawk by Robert Mason, about flying helicopters in Vietnam. I think it takes particular bravery to fly comparatively unarmed and unarmored helicopters into a firefight for medevacs. I know I couldn't do it, at least.

Neat documentary, thanks.
posted by Forktine at 1:49 PM on September 8, 2008

This reminded me a little of the book Chickenhawk by Robert Mason, about flying helicopters in Vietnam. I think it takes particular bravery to fly comparatively unarmed and unarmored helicopters into a firefight for medevacs.

Agreed. I've read more than one book in which the authors (infantry, mostly) stated that they considered the dust-off pilots to be the bravest people in the entire war. Copters tend to be pretty dangerous even outside of combat -- the Border Patrol and Kirtland air base here in NM have both taken casualties due to helicopter crashes. And somebody actually shot down the ABQ Sheriff Department's helicopter a couple of years ago!

That's a neat-looking documentary, good post!
posted by vorfeed at 2:17 PM on September 8, 2008

there is another documentary called "straight up!" that highlights some more amazing flying skills: power line maintenance being performed on live wires by a man outside a helicopter, using a type of Faraday cage. I didn't include that in the original post because I think it has been linked to before.
posted by krautland at 2:25 PM on September 8, 2008

jourman2: My guess? PAL.
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:03 PM on September 8, 2008

jourman2 - they'll also more than likely be shooting either on very high-def digital video, or using Betacam, which is very clear. Plus British TV programmes use a lot of filters such as the famous Top Gear effect which can give a very filmic feel to footage.

Thanks for the post, look forward to watching it.
posted by Happy Dave at 1:06 AM on September 9, 2008

Excellent post, thanks. Interesting illustration of a particular Brit attitude. Doing a difficult and dangerous job in a quiet* and self-deprecating way.

*Apart from swearing all the time.
posted by Dr.Pill at 12:43 PM on September 9, 2008