Released: January 26th to 15th March 2024
Number of Episodes: 9
Where to Watch: Apple TV
Created by: John Shiban and John Orloff
Starring: Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Barry Keoghan, Nikolai Kinski, Stephen Campbell Moore, Sawyer Spielberg, James Murray and Nate Mann
The Second World War has been adapted for the small screen many times with two once-a-decade releases from HBO standing far above the rest. With the land battles of Europe and the island hopping of the Pacific covered, John Shiban and John Orloff (with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks in tow) are returning to World War Two for the third and potentially final time with Masters of the Air. We’re taking to the skies for another round of detailed war stories.
Focusing on the 100th Bomb Group, the nine episodes follow the conflict from 1943 to 1945. After establishing a base in Britain, the airmen are tasked with many dangerous missions to cripple German supply lines and clear the way for a land invasion. Going up against both anti-aircraft fire and the Luftwaffe is far from easy and the narrative branches off on several tangents to focus on different groups. Some were lucky enough to get shore leave in England, others found themselves taken prisoner in enemy territory. On the way through, there are many highlights; Part 3 involves a long-distance escape route to North Africa and part six has a brilliant use of contrast as the pilots witness the destruction they have caused on ground level while being abused by German citizens. Meanwhile their comrades enjoy some comfortable time off back in the UK. Later in the series, the Tuskegee Airmen (led by Captain Erwin B. Lawrence and Lt. Joseph Evans Gordon) enter the scene, providing a new perspective on the war. Even the Russians make an appearance in the final episode as one pilot is shot down over the Eastern Front. All of it is very compelling and emotionally investing; these tales have always aimed to retell the war with a firm commitment to accuracy and Masters of the Air succeeds once again. The one story that does go unresolved is with Harry Crosby (Anthony Boyle); he has a brief fling with the British volunteer; we see her going undercover in Europe and the story cuts off with a quick letter. This is unfortunate as every other narrative thread is deeply engaging; when compared with The Pacific and the relationship that unfolded in the eighth episode, it’s the one moment where Masters of the Air doesn’t quite measure up.
The cast is massive with mainly American and British actors to match the time period. Austin Butler and Callum Turner lead the way as Major Gale “Buck” Cleven and Major John “Bucky” Egan respectively; they both maintain calm and level-headed personas while also showing great care for the men. The biggest success of the ensemble performances is how they alternate between varying situations without losing sight of their personal attitudes and traits. It really shows in the missions themselves as the characters constantly wonder whether another round of gunfire may rip their planes in half. More attention is also paid to the enemy with some raw performances from the civilian extras and more extensive interactions with the German forces and SS at a couple of points. Every performance is committed and consistent from start to finish.
When compared to the tanks and naval ships of yore, Masters of the Air faces the challenge of aerial warfare. Creating such detailed and chaotic dogfights is a very difficult task, so Masters of the Air leans much more into computer generated effects for the deadly sequences. For the most part, a range of camera angles and surrounding weather effects do a great job of maintaining the illusion, though there are moments where the action scenes cross the line of believability. Everything that surrounds these elements is still on top form. The roaring sounds of the jet engines and overhead bombardment will rock your speakers and the violence, despite not being as gruesome as The Pacific, still conveys the danger. Unlike its predecessors, Masters of the Air shows how the pilots slowly won control of the skies, making their missions less risky as a result. There are plenty of background moments that show the collective effort including Royal Air Force and civilians, especially towards the end of the nine episodes. The music is sweeping and grandiose, a great fit for the high altitudes.
Just like Band of Brothers and The Pacific before it, Masters of the Air is extremely well produced and authentic from start to finish. It tells the stories of history’s greatest conflict with the same deep level of respect and maturity. On occasion, a plot thread goes by unresolved and the CGI can become overbearing, but this series is every bit as memorable as previous efforts.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)
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