"Dambusters" to be remade by Peter Jackson

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 05 Sep 2006, 06:02

Dan, hate to disagree with you but -

It will be backed by Hollywood's Universal Pictures and Europe's biggest film company, StudioCanal. Jackson's agent Ken Kamins and Sir David will be executive producers.

Hollywood's money is a big part of it. I read the remarks as more of, we didn't want a lot of money because then it has to become a big "Hollywood-ized" blockbuster and not a more straightforward movie. He's wanting to keep the feel of the original movie and a good way to do that is to cap the cost to force the use of less effects and focus more on making the movie and not making it look good.

Couple more good quotes -

"Peter Jackson is the ideal producer, not only because of his film-making genius, but also because of his aeronautical expertise and unique understanding of the human pressures wrought by war," Sir David said.

Computer-generated visual effects and models will depict much of the mission. Jackson had not ruled out using working Lancasters, but the 10 replicas would not fly.

From the last (and earlier in the article), they will be using 10 full-scale ground replicas and CGI for the majority of the filming but may use real Lancasters in the film if feasible.

ronindanbo · Post by **ronindanbo** » 05 Sep 2006, 06:37

ahh but you have to read the other article

Jackson said the film would not cost more than $US50 million â€“ a modest budget by Hollywood standards. This meant more control.

"Everyone's fear is that it will be Americanised and made in an overt Hollywood way with love stories and such. We just want to tell the story of that particular event in the war in a straight way.

Peter Jackson has alot of control over his films (even the Lord of the Rings which was big budget), you really just have to meet the man to know for sure what he is about.

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 05 Sep 2006, 07:41

I did read the second one. Re-read my post. I see his comments not as "Hollywood is evil", which is the light you portray them in, but as a "less money means more true to my vision". Let's be truthful here- no matter where the money comes from, the more money that's involved, the less of the creator/producer/writer/whatever's vision means anything. By minimizing the budget, he controls how much the film companies who are backing the film can leverage their money for because he can always fall back on "if we do that, we'll go over budget" thus giving him better leverage to get it done the way he wants it.

It's a business method that's used in many industries with a lot of success. I give total kudos to Peter for taking that move when many people would take the larger budget and money to maximize profits by making it a blockbuster instead of a true-to-the-feel movie. Lord of the Rings was one of those exceptions that was an epic blockbuster even as a book and thus making it an epic blockbuster (read-huge budget) was appropriate for the movie. Even though he did to it with a lot less money than anyone else would have by filming all three at once instead of filming them separately.

AlexP · Post by **AlexP** » 05 Sep 2006, 13:22

Iâ€™m really pleased to hear that thereâ€™s going to be another film made of the Dambusters raid and Iâ€™m more than happy (and relieved) to hear that Peter Jackson will be producing it, as I feel confident heâ€™s going to do a fantastic job.

You only have to look at how he dealt with The Lord of the Rings, not only expertly translating the three books to film but also the attention to detail employed producing the stunning sets, props and costumes.

In addition, as has already been mentioned, heâ€™s something of an aviation enthusiast who appears to be quite heavily involved with the Warbird scene over in New Zealand. He even owns a least two WWI replica aircraft a Sopwith Camel (with an original Gnome engine):-
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0728288/L/
http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/camel.html
and a Bristol Fighter:-
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0768689/L/
http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/brisfit.html
Jacksonâ€™s Camel and F.2b in formation with a Nieuport 24.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0767377/L/

Then thereâ€™s the possibility that East Kirkbyâ€™s Just Jane may be used for part of the ground filming or even the take off run. Can it be mere coincidence that Just Jane is about to perform her first tail up taxi in front of the public at around the same time as that the film is announced?

http://www.cbfsim.org/cbfsimv5/cbfsbb/v ... php?t=7091 I suspect it may be a very smart move by East Kirkby to raise awareness of themselves and Just Janeâ€™s abilities.
In any case she and the other remaining Lancasters and their respective museums are likely benefit from the new film as they will undoubtedly see more people through the door as a result of interest generating by the film.

It also worth noting that a new Dambusters film is likely to bring the valiant efforts of the crews of Bomber Command to the attention of a new younger audience. To my mind this can only be a good thing, as the sacrifices made during the Second World War seem to be increasingly forgotten or else not conveyed to the young.

â€¦.and finally, in the unlikely event that the film isnâ€™t the masterpiece Iâ€™m expecting it to be, I wouldnâ€™t be to critical of Mr Jackson.

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3246503

Alex

ronindanbo · Post by **ronindanbo** » 05 Sep 2006, 18:59

AlexP wrote: â€¦.and finally, in the unlikely event that the film isnâ€™t the masterpiece Iâ€™m expecting it to be, I wouldnâ€™t be to critical of Mr Jackson.
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3246503
Alex

lol just look at his first film "Bad Taste" he actually starred in that and chainsawed his way through someone

you dont mess around with big Pete (even after the weight loss)

J_Eden · Post by **J_Eden** » 05 Sep 2006, 20:29

ronindanbo wrote: lol just look at his first film "Bad Taste" he actually starred in that and chainsawed his way through someone

you dont mess around with big Pete (even after the weight loss)

Especially with his removable brain

His early films are still the best IMO - Bad Taste, Meet the Feebles. And The Frighteners was pretty good too

James

ronindanbo · Post by **ronindanbo** » 05 Sep 2006, 22:21

I worked on meet the feebles(when they blew up the stretched Morrie) and braindead it was so cool...

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 07 Sep 2006, 11:53

Just one interesting point regarding possible filming to be made at RAF Scampton and that is before filming the Da Vinci Code at Lincoln Cathedral there were a lot of extras required and screen tested of sorts at the Drill Hall therefore, by my reasoning (with any luck) the same should apply to The Dam Busters..... so anyone living near Lincoln........be prepared to put your names forward!! :prayer:

delticbob · Post by **delticbob** » 07 Sep 2006, 14:50

If Lanc interiors were required then NX611 would be ya favoutite as the cockpit still has the original layout, where as both the BoB & Canadian aircraft have dual controls.

Bob

Paul K · Post by **Paul K** » 08 Sep 2006, 20:45

Nigel H-J wrote:
but what if 'Just Jane' was funded back to flying condition by the studios ?
PaulK, unfortunately I don't think that would ever come about. On a visit last year I asked if there may ever be a chance of it flying again and was told that it was highly unlikely, the costs would be high...

Yeah, you're right I suppose...but we can have dreams, can't we ?