Zeppelin

I've had a great affection for this film since I first saw it on tv, in the 70's. In my youth, I found it to be quite exciting and it spawned a lifelong interest in airships. The performances are good and the effects are good for their time and don't come across as too dated. The story is a bit murky. We never really feel that Michael York is that torn between his loyalties; rather, he seems more like a spy determined to perform his mission. His actions seem more motivated towards convincing the Germans that he believes in what they are doing, rather than being conflicted. The romantic angle is also a bit weak. It comes across more that York is fascinated with Elke Sommer, but not necessarily in love. She does not trust hims, nor does she seem attracted to him. It comes across as too ambiguous.

As far as the commando mission, it is an interesting idea, although the idea of a commando assault in the days before automatic weapons comes across as a bit absurd. Watching the German raiders trying to swing their rifles (with bayonets affixed, no less!) in enclosed spaces is a bit much. It is not impossible that a zeppelin could carry a raiding party. In the first place, it is only a squad that is taken aboard, not a battalion. Secondly, the zeppelin is not carrying a bomb load. Thirdly, the squad is taken aboard near Norway, and is not carried over the entire voyage; only after fuel has been used up. The logistics are sound; the motive for the attack may need some analysis.

The idea that the British would give up, due to the destruction of the Magna Carta and the crown jewels is a bit absurd. However, the thought that German soldiers could strike on British soil, and destroy national treasures, would be a great blow to British morale. World War I was not a very popular war in many circles in Britain. The stalemate in the trenches and the bombing raids on Britain had many people feeling that the war was a waste. A raid such of this would have at least caused the British to pull back some of their resources to defend their home, thereby weakening the front. It's an interesting possibility.

All-in-all, this is an entertaining film with fine performances. The flying sequences are quite well done. The plot is intriguing, if not wholly satisfying. Well worth a look.

I loved it the music was great so was the cast the zeppelin looked just like a real one this is a great movie micheal york was great in it it shows many scenes of the zeppelin and the fight between the airplanes and the zeppelin was exciting I loved the movie I give it *****5 stars

First---I want to say I have always enjoyed this movie since first seeing it some years ago. It explores some aspects of of a (relatively) little-know war i.e. World War I, and especially the use and technology of Zeppelins--which has been rare to non-existent in cinema.

Recently having purchased a video tape of the movie, I noticed something that has raised questions in my mind. In the movie, it is stated more times how critical weight is on a Zeppelin. For instance, when Richter-Douglas is first brought on board, Frau Altschul says "weight is critical on an airship--we haven't allowed for this man!" However, later when the Zeppelin has docked on the ship in the North Sea, a score or more of the men who are the "commandos" board the ship, and nothing is said about extra weight.

The only thing I can surmise is that the men who were to actually perform the commando raid in Scotland replaced the regular Zeppelin crew; who consequently disembarked and were left on the naval ship. If this happened in the movie or was mentioned, did I miss it?

Belgian-born director Etienne Perier made two English-language films in the early '70s. One was the action-orientated Alistair MacLean adaptation When Eight Bells Toll; the other was Zeppelin, a WW1 story about an audacious raid on the British mainland. Neither film was a huge success, though both were pretty serviceable. Perier retreated back to Belgium after these two efforts, where he has continued making French-language movies ever since. If pushed to state which of his two English-language films I like the most, I would probably (marginally) go for Zeppelin, as it features an unusual storyline and is entertaining in its quiet, workmanlike way.

A German-born British soldier, Geoffrey von Richter-Douglas (Michael York), is called upon to carry out a tricky mission during WW1. It seems that the Germans have developed a very advanced zeppelin (giant airship) called the LZ36, which they could potentially use to carry out bomb raids and other such strikes against Britain. Von Richter-Douglas is ordered to "defect" to the German side and work his way into the full trust of the Germans so that they will allow him access to the LZ36. The only person who unconvinced that Von Richter-Douglas is committed to the German cause is Ericka Altshul (Elke Sommer), beautiful wife of the zeppelin's designer Christian Altshul (Marius Goring). Von Richter-Douglas talks his way aboard the zeppelin as it embarks on its trial run, but is horrified to discover that the supposed "trial run" is actually an intricately planned, top secret attack on the British mainland. The objective is to storm a fortress where the Magna Carta document is being kept and destroy the document, striking a blow against British morale by robbing them of one of their most valuable items of heritage and history. Unable to make contact with his superiors to forewarn them of the attack, Von Richter-Douglas is left to ride out the raid and wait for a chance to thwart the plot from within.

York's character is quite interestingly presented, being a German by birth but a Briton by nationality. Tension is created as the film progresses by making the viewer wonder if he will aid or hinder the German plan. Alas, York is not at his best in this film, and his stiff performance mars the action somewhat. The aerial photography is very exciting, though, with some good scenes aboard the airship as it drifts across the North Sea on the way to its devastating strike. The film is quite slowly paced for its opening half, but becomes brisker and more absorbing as it enters the second act. The climactic raid is quite excitingly done, although - as several reviewers have already noted - too many loose ends are left unresolved as the final credits roll. Zeppelin is a passable film and would go down well on one of those rainy afternoons when there's nothing else worth watching.

The movie is a fictionalized account from a German-born British official ( Michael York ) since his own point of view . He races against time to prevent a hateful scheme and thwart the plans of cunning , detestable baddies ( Anthon Driffing , Peter Carsten ). The Zeppelin made in scale model is the real star of the film , the enormous Blimp causes damages , wreak havoc , disrupts communications , rampage over cities and destroys vital points and gun positions, nowadays the Zeppelin is led a secret mission.

The film gets a magnificent creation of suspense , thriller and emotional drama including some exciting and well staged aerial images . A first rate cast with a valiant and sympathetic lieutenant well reincarnated by Michael York ( Three Musketeers , Cabaret ), a gorgeous beauty as Elke Sommer ( The prize ), her scientist husband old man ( Marius Goring of Red slippers) , Andrew Keir ( Quatermass and the Pit ) and of course the two top-notch devious villains as Anton Diffring and Peter Carsten , both of whom are usual in Nazi roles . Splendid aerial photography with impressive outdoors and sensational sky-shots by cameraman Alan Hume and good matte cinematography , besides fantastic maquettes of ingenious flying machine . Exceptional and atmospheric musical score by musician Roy Budd with extraordinary leitmotif as when the Zeppelin takes off from hangar . The picture is correctly directed by Etienne Perier . It's an acceptable picture and well produced with high budget and shot in Pinewood studies . Rating : Good , better than average .