IMDb > Der rote Baron (2008)
Der rote Baron
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Der rote Baron (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 22 | slideshow) Videos (see all 8)
Der rote Baron (2008) -- September 1916 – a young aristocrat, Baron Manfred von Richthofen (Matthias Schweighöfer), is transferred to a German fighter division. Numerous kills, his trademark bright red plane and the heroic conquests of his ‘Flying Circus’ squadron soon make him a German hero. Yet manipulated by the High Command propaganda machine and distracted by fame, he remains blind to the true cost of conflict. After shooting down Canadian pilot Arthur Roy Brown (Joseph Fiennes) and pulling him out of the wreckage, he assists French nurse Kate Otersdorf (Lena Headey) in tending to the pilot’s wounded leg.
Der rote Baron (2008) -- Europe, 1916. A living legend (aged 24) performing amazing dogfights and aerial stunts, flies in on painted wings to become famous the world over. For millions of his countrymen, he becomes an idol, a symbol of hope and pride. Baron Manfred von Richthofen (MATTHIAS SCHWEIGHÖFER) is the crack pilot of the German aerial combat forces – a legend in his own time, a hero at home and a man both feared and respected by the enemy, including Allied Forces’ Canadian pilot, Captain Roy Brown (JOSEPH FIENNES). He and his fellow officers, Lieutenants Voss (TIL SCHWEIGER), Sternberg (MAXIM MEHMET) and Lehmann (HANNO KOFFLER) see their duels in the sky as tactical, almost sportsmanlike, clever challenges that, at least at first, obscure their view of the horrors of the battlefields below. And the provocative red paint job of his Fokker aircraft earns him the nickname ‘The Red Baron’. Unwittingly, he allows the German high command to manipulate his chivalrous code of honor and misuse him for propaganda purposes – until the young pilot falls in love with Käte (LENA HEADEY), a beautiful and resolute nurse who opens his eyes to the tragic fact that there is more to war than dogfights won and adversaries downed. Baron von Richthofen finally becomes aware of his role in the propaganda machine of a senseless and barbarous war. With a torn heart, despite the heavy losses in his squadron and his disgust for the war and his responsibility to his fighter wing, von Richthofen cannot help but fly. But even for this living legend, each new combat mission could be his last...
Der rote Baron (2008) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash) (German)
Oscar Nominations    Photos    more »

Overview

User Rating:
6.0/10   2,122 votes
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 14% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writer (WGA):
Nikolai Müllerschön (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Red Baron on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 April 2008 (Austria) more
Genre:
Action | Adventure | Biography | Drama | Romance | War more
Tagline:
One warrior ruled the sky. more
Plot:
Baron Manfred von Richthofen (Schweighöfer) is the most feared and celebrated pilot of the German air force in World War I... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Trailer & Images from The Red Baron
 (From HeyUGuys. 16 January 2010, 5:31 AM, PST)
Is German actor Matthias Schweighöfer guilty of spreading false casting news for Thor?
 (From The Movie Fanatic. 25 October 2009, 5:35 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Well above average for the genre more (27 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Tomás Koutník ... Young Manfred von Richthofen
Tomás Ibl ... Young Lothar von Richthofen
Albert Franc ... Young Wolfram von Richthofen
Matthias Schweighöfer ... Manfred von Richthofen

Maxim Mehmet ... Friedrich Sternberg
Hanno Koffler ... Lehmann

Til Schweiger ... Werner Voss
Richard Krajco ... Lanoe Hawker

Joseph Fiennes ... Capt. Roy Brown
Steffen Schroeder ... Bodenschatz
Lukás Príkazký ... Kirmaier

Lena Headey ... Käte Otersdorf
Ondrej Volejník ... 1st German Soldier
Jirí Wohanka ... 2nd German Soldier
Iveta Jirícková ... Redhead Whore
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Red Baron (International: English title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for war violence, some disturbing images and brief suggestive material.
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
129 min
Country:
Germany | UK
Language:
English | German | French
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-13 | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #45886)
Filming Locations:
Barrandov Studios, Prague, Czech Republic more
Company:
Niama Film more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The financing for the film came exclusively from well-to-do private individuals living in the state of Baden-Württemberg and was raised by the Stuttgart-based film financing and production house Niama Film, which was established by director Nikolai Müllerschön with partners Thomas Reisser, Roland Pellegrino and Dan Maag. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: During the first scene, we can see the young Richtoffen admiring a Bleriot XI. They say it was in 1906. The plane had only just been invented by Traian Vuia and could only fly 12 meters. more
Movie Connections:
References Apocalypse Now (1979) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful.
Well above average for the genre, 21 July 2009
8/10
Author: Chin_Music from United States

Despite an ending that can't help but make the viewer feel a little cheated, this film is a success on many levels. Only a little historical inaccuracy, which while certainly not a problem for most films but is almost demanded in a biopic, is a noticeable flaw.

Also, while perhaps not as "gritty" as one would like to see in a modern film, the ambiance of the film feels very "right." The viewer is seldom distracted by the realization that one is seeing CGI. The set decoration and costuming are rich and look accurate. The photography is excellent, although there is some mixing of exposure which is sometimes distracting. There is quite a bit of "floating" camera-work in establishing shots, which adds a little playful interest, almost as if one is watching from a small biplane buzzing through the scene.

The performances are understated, although the dialog does feel a little sparse at times.

Viewers who are hoping to experience another version of the exuberant athleticism of "Flyboys" from the German perspective may be underwhelmed by this film, but I found it most satisfying, especially in its restraint in delivering its anti-war message.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (27 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Der rote Baron (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
English or German? benjamin_torode
billy bishop guinnessking
I enjoyed it. jbhatch
Different versions? mraubenheimer
(Note storry SPOILER** ) Role of the Australians THEKirkLazarus
USA DVD release date? asmed555
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Blue Max Aces High Battle of Britain Joyeux Noël Die Blechtrommel
IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb Germany section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.