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

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

krautland — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:05:38 -0800

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.

By: jourman2

jourman2 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:56:27 -0800

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?

By: Forktine

Forktine — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:49:58 -0800

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.

By: vorfeed

vorfeed — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:17:33 -0800

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!

By: krautland

krautland — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:25:13 -0800

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.

By: turgid dahlia

turgid dahlia — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:03:54 -0800

jourman2: My guess? PAL.

By: Happy Dave

Happy Dave — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:06:35 -0800

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.

By: Dr.Pill

Dr.Pill — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:43:50 -0800

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.