D III 88


D III 88 is a 1939 German drama film directed by Herbert Maisch and Hans Bertram, the latter also having co-written the script. It stars Christian Kayßler, Otto Wernicke and Heinz Welzel. It was made as a propaganda film with the support of Luftwaffe chief Hermann Göring, and was the last of a series of Nazi aviation films to be made before the outbreak of World War II. It was one of the most commercially successful films released during the Nazi era. It was praised by Joseph Goebbels as "an irreproachable film of national destiny". The title, referring to the registration number of the Fokker Dr.I flown by one of the characters in World War I, was an attempt to re-inforce the propaganda link between the modern Luftwaffe and that of World War I. A sequel, Battle Squadron Lützow, was made in 1941.

Synopsis

Two extraordinary young pilots engage in a competitive rivalry and also fight over the same girl. In an effort to show off both fly into a dangerous storm, damaging their planes and are suspended from duty. They are finally convinced by their commanding officer, a veteran of World War I, to use their talents in a more disciplined way for their country.

Cast

, a Jewish actor working under a false name, played a German general in the film and later committed suicide after his Jewish identity was revealed.

Works cited