Zeppelin (1971) User Reviews

Aerial suspense and thriller with lots of entertainment

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 16 October 2006]

The movie is a fictionalized account from a German-born British official ( Michael York ) since his own point of view . He races against time to prevent a hateful scheme and thwart the plans of cunning , detestable baddies ( Anthon Driffing , Peter Carsten ). The Zeppelin made in scale model is the real star of the film , the enormous Blimp causes damages , wreak havoc , disrupts communications , rampage over cities and destroys vital points and gun positions, nowadays the Zeppelin is led a secret mission.

The film gets a magnificent creation of suspense , thriller and emotional drama including some exciting and well staged aerial images . A first rate cast with a valiant and sympathetic lieutenant well reincarnated by Michael York ( Three Musketeers , Cabaret ), a gorgeous beauty as Elke Sommer ( The prize ), her scientist husband old man ( Marius Goring of Red slippers) , Andrew Keir ( Quatermass and the Pit ) and of course the two top-notch devious villains as Anton Diffring and Peter Carsten , both of whom are usual in Nazi roles . Splendid aerial photography with impressive outdoors and sensational sky-shots by cameraman Alan Hume and good matte cinematography , besides fantastic maquettes of ingenious flying machine . Exceptional and atmospheric musical score by musician Roy Budd with extraordinary leitmotif as when the Zeppelin takes off from hangar . The picture is correctly directed by Etienne Perier . It's an acceptable picture and well produced with high budget and shot in Pinewood studies . Rating : Good , better than average .

for once, Elke Sommer gets a role based on more than her looks

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 18 August 2007]

For years, I had heard loosely about the use of zeppelins in WWI. Etienne Perier's movie "Zeppelin" does a very good job telling a specific story. It focuses on ancestrally-German Brit Geoffrey Richter-Douglas (Michael York) getting torn between allegiance to his native country and his ancestral land when he gets a chance to go to Germany to ride a zeppelin; he goes there, but of course doesn't tell his hosts that he's actually there as a UK agent. Then comes the ride aboard the zeppelin.

In my opinion, probably the movie's most interesting aspect is Elke Sommer's role. Throughout the '60s, she was one of the go-to women for sex kitten roles. Here, her character is Frau Dr. Erika Altschul, the wife of the zeppelin's inventor. She's a very educated, articulate woman not about to let anyone order her around. Granted, she's still quite pretty - and in one scene, we can see from her shadow on the wall that she's taking off her clothes! - but this is a totally different kind of role for her. Of course, I praise her for accepting a new kind of role for once.

Anyway, while this may not be the best movie ever, I certainly recommend it. Some of the early scenes give one the feeling of having been in England during WWI when the Germans were bombing (the truth is, we Americans have never experienced anything like that). Definitely worth seeing.

Decent WW1 spy flick with some enjoyable aerial action.

[barnabyrudge · 5/10 · 5 January 2006]

Belgian-born director Etienne Perier made two English-language films in the early '70s. One was the action-orientated Alistair MacLean adaptation When Eight Bells Toll; the other was Zeppelin, a WW1 story about an audacious raid on the British mainland. Neither film was a huge success, though both were pretty serviceable. Perier retreated back to Belgium after these two efforts, where he has continued making French-language movies ever since. If pushed to state which of his two English-language films I like the most, I would probably (marginally) go for Zeppelin, as it features an unusual storyline and is entertaining in its quiet, workmanlike way.

A German-born British soldier, Geoffrey von Richter-Douglas (Michael York), is called upon to carry out a tricky mission during WW1. It seems that the Germans have developed a very advanced zeppelin (giant airship) called the LZ36, which they could potentially use to carry out bomb raids and other such strikes against Britain. Von Richter-Douglas is ordered to "defect" to the German side and work his way into the full trust of the Germans so that they will allow him access to the LZ36. The only person who unconvinced that Von Richter-Douglas is committed to the German cause is Ericka Altshul (Elke Sommer), beautiful wife of the zeppelin's designer Christian Altshul (Marius Goring). Von Richter-Douglas talks his way aboard the zeppelin as it embarks on its trial run, but is horrified to discover that the supposed "trial run" is actually an intricately planned, top secret attack on the British mainland. The objective is to storm a fortress where the Magna Carta document is being kept and destroy the document, striking a blow against British morale by robbing them of one of their most valuable items of heritage and history. Unable to make contact with his superiors to forewarn them of the attack, Von Richter-Douglas is left to ride out the raid and wait for a chance to thwart the plot from within.

York's character is quite interestingly presented, being a German by birth but a Briton by nationality. Tension is created as the film progresses by making the viewer wonder if he will aid or hinder the German plan. Alas, York is not at his best in this film, and his stiff performance mars the action somewhat. The aerial photography is very exciting, though, with some good scenes aboard the airship as it drifts across the North Sea on the way to its devastating strike. The film is quite slowly paced for its opening half, but becomes brisker and more absorbing as it enters the second act. The climactic raid is quite excitingly done, although - as several reviewers have already noted - too many loose ends are left unresolved as the final credits roll. Zeppelin is a passable film and would go down well on one of those rainy afternoons when there's nothing else worth watching.

weak ending but a great looking airship

[Hessian499 · 29 August 2001]

While the film ends with a lot of threads still loose, the film is worth watching for great period costumes, sets, and especially the airship used by the Germans in the raid on England. Whether historically accurate or not in its design, the airship is in a lot of ways the true star of this film. The story does not fully develop the theme of divided loyalty completely and the ending seems a bit abrupt, but the action scenes are exciting and expertly directed. Great aerial footage and many scenes are filmed from very high up - you may not want to watch this one if you are scared of heights! Worth a look for World War I or aviation buffs.

Great special effects for airship buffs, ranks low on believability.

[fisherforrest · 7/10 · 19 March 2006]

There aren't too many films in which the star of the show is a special effects airship, but this is one. They really make "LZ-36" a reality! But then they use this lovely ship to make a silly, unbelievable, illogical raid on a Scottish castle to steal the Magna Carta! There are spies, love affairs, and quite a nice fight, but the almost convincing feeling of an experience in a real Great War German airship is the main attraction.

Now for some realities about large airship handling and aerostation. In the film a considerable company of soldiers are taken aboard. Even allowing that there was no bomb load, the 1915-1917 Zeppelins could not have carried such a complement or troops in addition to operating crew. No airship ever built could have done so, including "Hindenburg", "Akron", or "Macon", the largest ever constructed. The Great War Zeppelins might have carried 30 or 40 persons at most. Then consider the landings shown on water and land. Real airships require very large ground handling crews. In the film "LZ-36" is shown being handled like a small "Goodyear Blimp"!

In German airship numbering, the naval airships were designated as "L-#" without the "Z". The Zeppelin Airship Company designated their craft as "LZ-#", but there was no correspondence with the naval numbering. The historic "LZ-36" was naval "L-9", burned in a hanger fire in 1916 after only four raids. Zeppelin "LZ-82" was naval "L-36", lost in February 1917, after a forced landing in water, as in the film. "L-36" made twenty flights, only one raid. Probably it was "L-36" that suggested the film story, but it was one of the "height climbers", designed to reach an altitude of 20,000 feet to avoid the British pursuit planes. Needless to say, it was never used to try to steal the Magna Carta.

Oh, as to the film story, did the raid succeed in stealing the Magna Carta? I'll never tell.

Surprisingly entertaining with images that will not soon be forgotten .....................

[merklekranz · 6/10 · 21 July 2011]

Picture seeing a colossal silver fish resting on the surface of a Norwegian fjord. That image from "Zeppelin" is unforgettable. The story of a secret German airship raid on a Scotish Castle to destroy British historical documents hidden there, is fast moving with little time for character development. There is also a tremendous stretch of believability. Nevertheless the special effects are so superior, that the script deficiencies are easily forgiven. Michael York is adequate as the British spy, and Elke Sommer plays the wife of the zeppelin's designer. Though not always logical, the film is imaginative and surprisingly entertaining, with images that will not soon be forgotten. Recommended. - MERK

Where do your loyalties reside?

[michaelRokeefe · 6/10 · 21 June 2002]

A very interesting tale of a German mission to destroy the Magna Carta provides exciting airborne action during WWI. A German-born British flier is emotionally torn by duty and homeland. The special effects are better than average and responsible for the films atmosphere. The story line leaves too many questions. This melodrama was filmed in Scotland. The notable cast includes: Michael York, the fascinating Elke Sommer, Andrew Keir and Peter Casten. Neutrality sometimes walks a tightrope.

Watchable enough

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 7 April 2021]

One of two big-name features dealing with German airships; the other is the better-known HINDENBURG with George C. Scott. This one's a WW1-era spy thriller in which German-born Michael York is tasked with going to Germany for an undercover operation to find out their plans. The usual strong production values and ensemble cast make this all very watchable, and it gets really interesting in the second half, which is essentially one huge set-piece on board the titular vessel, building to an expectedly fiery climax. Not, perhaps, the most exciting film out there, but it's watchable enough.

Stealing the Magna Carta

[edwardgallagher · 5/10 · 27 October 2022]

So stealing the Magna Carta was going to destroy British morale and make them sue for peace? Reminds me of the story that Japanese soldiers invading a beachhead would yell "Babe Ruth sucks!" with the expectation that American defenders' morale would crumble over the gravity of the insult.

It is always fun to see what an early 70s movie was like and guess at what was in the producers' minds, and as such it is enjoyable as a period piece about yet another period. But the story had lots of plot holes and it strained credulity, even given what it was. Some of the performances were good and the special effects were notable for the time, and aspects of the atmosphere were okay.

WWI adventure

[Philipp_Flersheim · 7/10 · 8 February 2023]

Michael York playes Geoffrey Richter-Douglas, a lieutenant in the British army who is not being sent to the front in France but rather to Germany: he is made an agent and commanded to spy on the construction of Germany's latest airship, the LZ36. The Germans accept Richter-Douglas's fake identity and take him on an airship mission to Scotland... 'Zeppelin' is an on the whole well-acted and well-made war film: Great care has been taken to get World War I uniforms and technology right. The film does suffer from some elements of weakness, though. Most important among these is the idea around which the plot revolves. It was certainly not beyond the Germans to try to destroy the British state archives (which had been evacuated to Scotland), but the assumption that this would have caused an immediate collapse of British morale and the decision to sue for peace seems far-fetched. The plot has some weaknesses, too. While the climactic fight in the Scottish castle has been filmed well, the following fight of the Zeppelin with the British war planes seems to have come as a kind of after thought. Still, if you are prepared to suspend disbelief long enough to accept the premise of the film and to overlook the weaknesses in its structure, this is a highly enjoyable adventure.

Zeppelin

[CinemaSerf · 5/10 · 29 May 2023]

Aside from a passing nod to "Murder on the Orient Express" (1974), I always struggle to find any reason why Michael York ever made it as an actor. He had sort of foppish prettiness about him, but his acting style here is only marginally less rigid than the thing in the title. He plays a soldier with a famous German (Richter) lineage. The Germans want him to work for them; the British want him to work for them - so, yep - you've guessed. Once with the Bosch, he finds himself aboard this amazing airship that is capable of reaching great heights and speeds, and on a secret mission designed to destroy the heart and soul of the war-weary Brits. Can he thwart this plan despite the overwhelming superiority onboard? Sadly, there is precisely no jeopardy at all here. The film takes at least 40 minutes before we even see the airship, and even then it is all just too little, too late. The rest of the casting is adequate - Anton Diffring and an underused Marius Goring tick their boxes ok, but the plot is sluggish and there is way too much chat and nowhere near enough action. Perhaps we would have invented incendiary bullets a little quicker if the designers had watched this first?

worth seeing just for the aerial scenes

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 9 March 2006]

While I will admit that the plot of ZEPPELIN is okay and not the best I have ever seen, I still like this movie a lot. Michael York plays a British agent that pretends to defect in order to learn the German airship secrets. Along the way he meets the extremely attractive Elke Sommer, though what all that has to do with war, I never was really certain.

The film concerns an era that we seldom talk about--WWI and the terror that seized the Allies when the Germans first rained bombs on an unsuspecting London. For the life of me, I can't recall another movie that mentions this in any way, so historically speaking this is an important topic.

I was fortunate enough to have seen this film on the big screen when it first came out in the very early 1970s. I remember sitting in the first row in the balcony and watching the big screen as the Zeppelin first appeared up out of the clouds--pretty reminiscent of the shark attacking in the later film, JAWS! Much of the film is set on the dirigible, the scenery is great and the Zeppelin scenes are pretty realistic. Give it a try--it's a forgotten and worthwhile film.

early drama for m york

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 31 October 2022]

When the germans come up with a new and improved airship dirigible, british officer richter (michael york) is sent to germany to check it out. The brits think they have fooled the germans into letting richter see the new model, but the germans have planned some surprises of their own. Adding to the puzzle is the fact that the engineer behind the zeppelin was richter's professor in school. And the professor's wife (elke sommer) has some secrets of her own. Good spy intrigue. And it's loosely based on actual world war one history. Check out lz 37 in wikipedia dot org. Really good story. Good all around. Directed by etienne perier. After this, york did cabaret. And a couple years later, logan's run.

Begs for a remake

[g-hope135 · 5/10 · 20 November 2012]

Airships have always been fascinating forms of air travel, being large, luxurious, stealthy and efficient, i cant help but feel we need to see 21st century view on it. The film itself is moderatley entertaining , at times can get slow, bu its the dogfights and music that make it worthwhile. The closest to modern views were the 2006 film flyboys, and the 2011 German film Hindenburg. however, the airship in flyboys was only in one scene and the Hindenburg was a passenger liner in the intra-war period. It feels as though there should be a 21st century ww1 airship themed movie with an improved story, and well choreographed dogfights.

Enjoyable, if a bit muddled.

[grendelkhan · 20 April 2003]

I've had a great affection for this film since I first saw it on tv, in the 70's. In my youth, I found it to be quite exciting and it spawned a lifelong interest in airships. The performances are good and the effects are good for their time and don't come across as too dated. The story is a bit murky. We never really feel that Michael York is that torn between his loyalties; rather, he seems more like a spy determined to perform his mission. His actions seem more motivated towards convincing the Germans that he believes in what they are doing, rather than being conflicted. The romantic angle is also a bit weak. It comes across more that York is fascinated with Elke Sommer, but not necessarily in love. She does not trust hims, nor does she seem attracted to him. It comes across as too ambiguous.

As far as the commando mission, it is an interesting idea, although the idea of a commando assault in the days before automatic weapons comes across as a bit absurd. Watching the German raiders trying to swing their rifles (with bayonets affixed, no less!) in enclosed spaces is a bit much. It is not impossible that a zeppelin could carry a raiding party. In the first place, it is only a squad that is taken aboard, not a battalion. Secondly, the zeppelin is not carrying a bomb load. Thirdly, the squad is taken aboard near Norway, and is not carried over the entire voyage; only after fuel has been used up. The logistics are sound; the motive for the attack may need some analysis.

The idea that the British would give up, due to the destruction of the Magna Carta and the crown jewels is a bit absurd. However, the thought that German soldiers could strike on British soil, and destroy national treasures, would be a great blow to British morale. World War I was not a very popular war in many circles in Britain. The stalemate in the trenches and the bombing raids on Britain had many people feeling that the war was a waste. A raid such of this would have at least caused the British to pull back some of their resources to defend their home, thereby weakening the front. It's an interesting possibility.

All-in-all, this is an entertaining film with fine performances. The flying sequences are quite well done. The plot is intriguing, if not wholly satisfying. Well worth a look.

good Zeppelin action

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 27 October 2022]

During WWI, German Zeppelins are unopposed while bombing London. Junior British officer Geoffrey Richter-Douglas (Michael York) is having a fling with Stephanie, a German spy trying to recruit him. The British military want him to be a double agent. He escapes to Germany pretending to be a deserter. In Germany, he connects with old friend Professor Altschul and young wife Erika (Elke Sommer), both Zeppelin scientists.

The human story is rather slow and boring. Once he gets on the Zeppelin, it becomes a submarine movie. The miniatures are fun. It's a fun thriller while they're on the Zeppelin. I do have many questions about Geoffrey's actions. At the very least, he wouldn't get back on the ship. I do like the dog fight, but he's only there to be there. The writing is not this movie's strong suit.

Being caught between duty and bloodlines results in neutrality.

[Slap · 6/10 · 22 April 1999]

This was a not-entirely-satisfying tribute to neutrality and pacifism with many minor plot lines ``resolved'' in a sophomoric fashion. As an example, does the Doctor make his decision because of the Germans' military use of his life's work; York and Sommer's faux-affair (for which there is no evidence, anyway); A patriotic attempt to ``drop ballast''??? Still, the plot was compelling, a British officer torn between his current loyalty and his recent German roots. I had sympathy for York's character, but the conclusion had too many loose ends and was too vanilla to satisfy.

British War Movie with Michael YORK and Elke SOMMER

[ZeddaZogenau · 6/10 · 26 February 2024]

Not particularly well done espionage drama from the First World War, in which a double spy (KNOTS LANDING star Michael YORK, who played opposite Liza MINNELLI in the musical classic CABARET) is supposed to prevent the Germans from stealing the Magna Carta in a zeppelin . Through an attractive engineer's wife (GOLDEN GLOBE winner Elke SOMMER, awarded for THE PRIZE in 1964) he gets into even bigger conflicts on Lake Constance.

A story that is all too poorly conceived, with hardly anything technically correct. At least German-speaking actors such as Peter CARSTEN and Anton DIFFRING also found employment in this British production.

Zeppelin

[Prismark10 · 4/10 · 12 September 2022]

Handsomely mounted but a stodgy story and a lack of action means Zeppelin is a movie that never floats.

Set during the first world war. Geoffrey Richter-Douglas (Michael York) is a Britton who grew up in Germany. He is just the right sort to become a double agent.

So he defects to the Germans and becomes part of a team that develops a new airship. The kind to be used in warfare to bomb enemies from high altitude.

Geoffrey needs to find all he can about this new weapon. He later finds himself in the maiden voyage of the Zeppelin as it heads towards Britain.

York is good and looks dashing. The movie is turgid and lacks any energy and momentum. By the time the action scenes arrive, it is too little too late.

Amazing scenes of a Zeppelin, astonishingly poor writing and direction

[neocanuckbd · 5/10 · 2 May 2018]

It was obvious that some decent money was spent to get various scenes of a Zeppelin in action. I can't understand why they settled for such a poor and muddled plot. The whole premise of the raid didn't really make much sense to begin with, and coupled with mediocre script writing and direction, the movie really failed to capture it's potential.

My dad wrote the film and its history is interesting

[redguardwon · 8/10 · 9 March 2002]

Produced as Ronald Getty's (son of J.Paul Getty) venture into motion pictures it attempted to explore a subject that had up to its point only been explored through the explosion of the German airship Hindenburg. It attempted to tell the story of loyalties with the then current anti-military fashion (petty drum rolls when the more dramatic and militaristic "We Sail Against England" was originally written would have provided a contrast needed).

Since the general public's reaction to a philo-German film was unknown it was thought that any overt militarism (such as the "Blue Max") should be down because the subject matter of Zeppelins without swastikas (i.e., The Hindenburg) was an unknown commodity thus a safe course was taken and downed played and thus weakening the film. Originally, scenes of epic battles waging beneath the skies of blue were considered and deleted.

In a story meeting Bob Wise's underplay of German militarism in "The Sound of Music" was argued as the public's desire to see Germania topics -- as fodder for story antagaonists without their significance.

It remains at least to me an attempt to discuss loyalty, love's betrayal and history on a very very limited budget.

I remember researching it with dad. What interested Getty was that his father's oil company furnished Germany's airships during the First World War. His contribution despite his then titanic sums available to him for a variety of reasons was very modest. Rumor had it J. Paul called Jack Warner and was concerned that his son was investing in movies and what could he expect... Ronald should however be commended because without his involvement no film on zeppelin would have been made at all (of the very limited collection of zeppelin films thus far).

The film could have used an injection of drama that was unfortunately out of vogue during the time of its production. This sounds like an excuss but one must remember it took "Patton" ten years to be produced out of similiar concerns. It was private money after all...

To dad... thanks for the memory ol' fella will miss ya...

Gassy

[boblipton · 5/10 · 25 October 2022]

During the First World War, the German super-weapon that had the British general staff most worried was the mighty zeppelin. They tried to work out weapons to take down the mighty vessels composed of hot air and sausage skins, but had no recourse to send in Michael York, whose German ancestry gave him an uncanny resemblance to his cousin, to make love to Elke Sommer and winkle out the secrets of the dirigible fleet.

There seems to have been a flurry of World War One movies in this period which attempted to recreate the ambiance of the period, but wound up being bloated failures. Filled with upbeat orchestral scores -- here by Roy Budd -- and one or two grand images that didn't make up for spending the first thirty minutes of this movie on back-story exposition, followed by a long series of scenes set in indoor sets and cramped sets, followed, eventually, by the dirigible exploding.

a movie about a little known subject--however a major plot hole?

[zooeyhall · 9 January 2005]

First---I want to say I have always enjoyed this movie since first seeing it some years ago. It explores some aspects of of a (relatively) little-know war i.e. World War I, and especially the use and technology of Zeppelins--which has been rare to non-existent in cinema.

Recently having purchased a video tape of the movie, I noticed something that has raised questions in my mind. In the movie, it is stated more times how critical weight is on a Zeppelin. For instance, when Richter-Douglas is first brought on board, Frau Altschul says "weight is critical on an airship--we haven't allowed for this man!" However, later when the Zeppelin has docked on the ship in the North Sea, a score or more of the men who are the "commandos" board the ship, and nothing is said about extra weight.

The only thing I can surmise is that the men who were to actually perform the commando raid in Scotland replaced the regular Zeppelin crew; who consequently disembarked and were left on the naval ship. If this happened in the movie or was mentioned, did I miss it?

Unjustly Underrated War Film

[Tristan-21 · 8/10 · 19 March 2021]

I remember seeing Zeppelin as a child in the theater, and it had no problem holding my attention. It is fascinating for its depiction of the WWI era in a way that seems realistic and accurate. The aerial scenes are interesting and exciting as well. There are some weaknesses in the plot, mostly the fact that the mission is really a silly idea... blowing up the Magna Carta? Really? This doesn't remotely stand in the way of enjoying this film, though, because the acting is convincing and the period flavor is so well conveyed.

Michael York does a reasonable job as the junior officer who is drafted as a spy, but the supporting cast is excellent. Any film with Anton Diffring in it is worth a watch, and Elke Sommer reveals some acting talent as well, as a German scientist who is even more ambivalent to the war than York's character. This film is similar to The Blue Max (which also features Diffring) in showing the war from the German point of view and featuring Germans as human beings rather than the one-dimensional demons modern films depict them as being (I'm looking at you, 1917.) This is highly laudable and makes the film more immersive and realistic due to this more neutral viewpoint.

Zeppelin really deserves a fresh mastering and Blu-Ray release due to the excellent cinematography and period sets. The aerial scenes and shots of the airship would look great in high definition. Let's hope this will happen in the near future.

an english man is sent to germany to steal their dirigible plans

[eckener37 · 6 May 2000]

I loved it the music was great so was the cast the zeppelin looked just like a real one this is a great movie micheal york was great in it it shows many scenes of the zeppelin and the fight between the airplanes and the zeppelin was exciting I loved the movie I give it *****5 stars