Customer Reviews

NOVA: B-29 Frozen in Time

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

NOVA documentaries always seem to capture me, but this one literally left me with my jaw dropped in my lap the first time I saw it on TV. This film focuses on a group of men which attempt to restore a B-29, which crashed and was abandoned in Greenland during a secret mission during W.W.II. Their goal: to completely restore the B-29 on-site, and launch it from the nearby frozen lake bed. The technicalities of what they must accomplish to restore this airplane are mind-boggling. Most NOVA documentaries are very engaging, but besides being a technical chronicle of what these men accomplished in extreme environs, a tragic incident, and finally the jaw-dropping, dumbfounding conclusion, are what set this documentary apart from any other NOVA documentary I have seen. You simply will not want to believe what you are seeing, and I am not exaggerating! You will be on the edge of your seat cheering them on as they start the engines, taxi for takeoff on the frozen lake bed, and then... This is life. This is real ... This is a keeper.

Tip: This video is perfect for a home theater system with great speakers. As the narrator says, the radial engines on this plane are the largest ever built. When the team starts firing them up, turn it up loud-loud-LOUD, loud enough to feel the roar in your bones. It still won't be as loud as in real life, but you'll feel like you're standing there with them cheering, watching this frozen bird come back to life after half a century, and you'll understand in your heart exactly why they're taking on this project. You'll feel like a little kid, just like they do, and you'll wish you were there with them.

I use this documentary every time I teach a class on entrepreneurship. Combined with a Smithsonian magazine article on the salvage operation, it's great for talking about planning, leadership, decision-making, group dynamics, friendship, financing, risk, innovation, entrepreneurial motivations, expertise, and so on.

But...the REAL reason I show it to my class is...well, you'll have to watch it and see. Trust me.

The impossible dream,the super human task, the will to succeed are only a few words to describe this documentary. Of all the films of this genre, this one left a major impression in my mind. Only since Hillary climbed Mt. Everest, have I seen the will of man so persevere. The finale is worth the wait, trust me. If this type of film is not your preference, make an exception and watch just this one. I don't think you'll be disappointed!!

Excellent documentary!! Daryl Greenameyer and his team put forth a tremendous effort to recover the Kee Bird. A hostile environment and the death of the chief engineer, Rick Kriege, are among the challenges they faced. I've heard the critics negative comments about some of the decisions they made but I believe they did a magnificent job.

The story of this miraculous aviation discovery is riveting. The amount of money and hard work under such severe weather conditions to get this ancient warbird back to civilization is spellbinding. You won't want to miss the ending it is unbelievable. FIVE stars ! ! ! !

Truly, the NY Daily News' review says it all here: "a finale you won't soon forget!" The story of one man's passion to save a precious piece of history trapped for decades on the ice of Greenland's far reaches, this documentary is moving and captures one's attention from beginning to end. It speaks to the resilience of human nature and the tragic ironies of life. This is one documentary not to miss!

I saw this documentary movie when I was in Aircraft Mechanics school, and I bought it a few weeks ago. I showed it to a lot of people at the office; it provides a great story with realistic challenges and the conclusion makes you mad...

I recommend this movie (around 1 hour long) to any amateur of aircrafts.

Enjoy!

(This review contains a spoiler). What makes this documentary exceptional is the way in which the men deal with incredible frustration and disappointment and bad luck. In the end, it really is the journey and effort that matters most.

This is an older film, originally shown on Public TV.

It's an exceptional piece and I was pleasantly surprised to find it still available.

It's an excellent, historical documentary which can also be used for educational purposes.

Thanks again for still carrying it!

Any Military hitory buff or veteran of past conflicts and wars will like this movie. I was stationed very near the place where this took place and the footage was just like being there. They should have shown more of the base where they staged but I think they may have been told not to?

Overall highly rated!