Der Ostwind (2007) User Reviews

Despite only so-so graphics, this was a neat little animated film

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 7 July 2008]

If you only look at the quality of the graphics and nothing else, then this short animated film probably won't impress you. That's because in this time of ever-improving computer graphics, we are coming to expect more and more from CG films and this one looks almost like a video game from a decade ago with live film inserted into it. It isn't bad looking, exactly, but there are many, many Hollywood productions (especially FLYBOYS) which are light-years ahead.

However, if you do only compulse over the animation, then you really are missing the point. Despite a thin budget, the film is very high on "the cool factor". The story about a WWI German ace who is bored and looking for a challenge is well written but especially well narrated. The narration (in German) sounds so perfect for the film--so menacing and cold. The voice and dialog really work well and sure kept my attention. So much so that I would love to see what these people could do if they had a real budget--one that would better complement the film.

FYI--It didn't bother me, but being a history teacher and airplane nut, the big battle in the film could NOT have happened like it did, as WWI planes had a very limited supply of ammo and long battles simply weren't possible. Many planes ran out after 30-60 seconds of firing.

Lots of great talk, little great action

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 30 June 2015]

This 10-minute movie takes place during the days of World War II and was written and directed by Kohl Glass in his early 30s. Do not mistake it for the new German movie about horses on a farm. This one here is actually about a German pilot, who was top of his group of soldiers and basically won every air battle. But then he heard about the equivalent in the US forces. Of course, not much later the two go against each other. Can our hero prevail? Watch for yourself. Well.. this film talked a lot about honor and moral context, but I have to say, to me it felt a little pretentious. The action in this film was never good enough in my opinion to justify these big words. Maybe Glass should have toned it down a bit on the dialog. Then again, this was only his second work of a filmmaker and for that it wasn't all bad. Still, to me it did not make the emotional impact it tries so hard to achieve. Not recommended.

interesting

[germanrosie · 5/10 · 3 August 2008]

i liked the look of the film, despite of it's being a little old-fashioned. well, it's correct that the narration fits to the film and i was really surprised how good the German was. (usually Americans sound a little strange talking German). but, i'm very sorry to say, it's kitschy. not the way the word "kitschy" is usually used. i think what i mean by saying kitschy is that EVERYTHING is soooooo heroic. well, what romance is for women, war-films are for men.....

ah - and i have a question: the writer - is he German? does he speak German? i thought so because i noticed no grammatical mistake in the text.