We've got the need for speed.
We've got the need for speed.

We're buzzing the tower, it's too close for missiles, we're switching to guns.
We're buzzing the tower, it's too close for missiles, we're switching to guns.

These are the top ten movie dog fights, of all time.
These are the top ten movie dog fights, of all time.

[MUSIC]
[MUSIC]

Kicking us off at number ten, we want to get something off our chest.
Kicking us off at number ten, we want to get something off our chest.

Yes, to start off our list, we're going bold with probably the most well known,
Yes, to start off our list, we're going bold with probably the most well known,

and well loved cinematic dog fight ever.
and well loved cinematic dog fight ever.

The one from Top Gun.
The one from Top Gun.

>> Coming in guys, coming in.
>> Coming in guys, coming in.

>> Now, that's not to say Top Gun isn't awesome because, well just look at it.
>> Now, that's not to say Top Gun isn't awesome because, well just look at it.

[SOUND] The cool banter, and high intensity maneuvers of the F14's, and Mig
[SOUND] The cool banter, and high intensity maneuvers of the F14's, and Mig

28's, were probably the things that got most dog fights fans started in the 80's.
28's, were probably the things that got most dog fights fans started in the 80's.

Even though the Mig 28's were actually fictional planes, played by US F5 Tigers.
Even though the Mig 28's were actually fictional planes, played by US F5 Tigers.

And if you need your fix on more cold war era dog fights, we can give begrudging,
And if you need your fix on more cold war era dog fights, we can give begrudging,

not so honorable mention to those in Iron Eagle, and Fire Birds,
not so honorable mention to those in Iron Eagle, and Fire Birds,

aka pervy Nick Cage in Top Gun with helicopters.
aka pervy Nick Cage in Top Gun with helicopters.

But let's be honest, Top Gun is truly one of a kind.
But let's be honest, Top Gun is truly one of a kind.

[NOISE] Next up for our number nine, we're gonna take it back, way, way back.
[NOISE] Next up for our number nine, we're gonna take it back, way, way back.

And back when airplanes were a thing people marveled at,
And back when airplanes were a thing people marveled at,

not just complained about having to take off their shoes to board.
not just complained about having to take off their shoes to board.

People frigging loved airplane films, and
People frigging loved airplane films, and

people like Howard Hughes loved making them.
people like Howard Hughes loved making them.

Probably his best dog fight was found in Hell's Angels.
Probably his best dog fight was found in Hell's Angels.

A brief moment of awesomeness, surrounded by a sea of melodrama doldrums.
A brief moment of awesomeness, surrounded by a sea of melodrama doldrums.

But our pick goes to the film that first set the bar for
But our pick goes to the film that first set the bar for

aerial combat cinematography, and won the very first Academy Award, 1927's Wings,
aerial combat cinematography, and won the very first Academy Award, 1927's Wings,

and it's two on four zeppelin run, two thirds of the way through.
and it's two on four zeppelin run, two thirds of the way through.

Shooting over nine months, Wings was a massive endeavor.
Shooting over nine months, Wings was a massive endeavor.

Hundreds of pilots, thousands of extras.
Hundreds of pilots, thousands of extras.

The film invented the techniques needed to film the in air closeups,
The film invented the techniques needed to film the in air closeups,

that so define fighter pilot flicks today.
that so define fighter pilot flicks today.

And no, those techniques didn't involve a green screen, blue screen,
And no, those techniques didn't involve a green screen, blue screen,

or any color screen at all.
or any color screen at all.

Those are the actors, in the planes, in the air, flying the damn things.
Those are the actors, in the planes, in the air, flying the damn things.

Take that, Tom Cruise.
Take that, Tom Cruise.

Of course, we're not always film snobs.
Of course, we're not always film snobs.

Sometimes we like some good old fashioned blockbuster popcorn CGI fun.
Sometimes we like some good old fashioned blockbuster popcorn CGI fun.

And that could be from Flyboys, a World War I flick, that looks gorgeously
And that could be from Flyboys, a World War I flick, that looks gorgeously

stylized, if slightly historically inaccurate, [SOUND] or Red Tails.
stylized, if slightly historically inaccurate, [SOUND] or Red Tails.

It's a fun World War II movie that combines banter,
It's a fun World War II movie that combines banter,

with excellent virtual cinematography.
with excellent virtual cinematography.

>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.

>> Or even Pearl Harbor's Battle of Britain.
>> Or even Pearl Harbor's Battle of Britain.

Which, say what you want about Michael Bay.
Which, say what you want about Michael Bay.

He's pretty fucking awesome.
He's pretty fucking awesome.

[SOUND] But our pick goes to The Red Baron, a 2008 German film.
[SOUND] But our pick goes to The Red Baron, a 2008 German film.

And it's absolutely gripping, night time air battle,
And it's absolutely gripping, night time air battle,

featuring Manfred Von Richthofen himself.
featuring Manfred Von Richthofen himself.

[MUSIC]
[MUSIC]

Sure, the film takes its liberties, but it snags our eye, because while most aerial
Sure, the film takes its liberties, but it snags our eye, because while most aerial

combat scenes take place during the day, The Red Baron uses darkness to its
combat scenes take place during the day, The Red Baron uses darkness to its

advantage, and ends up with something beautiful, and unique to show for it.
advantage, and ends up with something beautiful, and unique to show for it.

Next up, we're looking at World War II's Pacific Front.
Next up, we're looking at World War II's Pacific Front.

Of course, there's a whole movie called Pearl Harbor, that features a dog fight,
Of course, there's a whole movie called Pearl Harbor, that features a dog fight,

kind of based on the historical event.
kind of based on the historical event.

But it mostly amounts to Ben Affleck, and
But it mostly amounts to Ben Affleck, and

Josh Hartnett defeating enemy pilots by looking handsome and playing chicken.
Josh Hartnett defeating enemy pilots by looking handsome and playing chicken.

[SOUND] And you could also check out Midway, for the massive titular dogfight,
[SOUND] And you could also check out Midway, for the massive titular dogfight,

that just misses our list.
that just misses our list.

But our number seven goes to the dogfight above the beautiful
But our number seven goes to the dogfight above the beautiful

technicolor Pearl Harbor battle from Tora!Tora!Tora!
technicolor Pearl Harbor battle from Tora!Tora!Tora!

[SOUND] Far more more historically accurate than Bay's Harbor,
[SOUND] Far more more historically accurate than Bay's Harbor,

Tora is a historical epic that was shot in two separate pieces, half American,
Tora is a historical epic that was shot in two separate pieces, half American,

and half Japanese.
and half Japanese.

And one of the technical advisers on the film, was Minoru Genda,
And one of the technical advisers on the film, was Minoru Genda,

the Japanese Chief of Staff who planned the actual attack on Pearl Harbor.
the Japanese Chief of Staff who planned the actual attack on Pearl Harbor.

All together, it made for a far more accurate, yet still cinematic and
All together, it made for a far more accurate, yet still cinematic and

exciting, dog fight.
exciting, dog fight.

With some of the most authentic footage ever shot.
With some of the most authentic footage ever shot.

Of course, who says all our picks need to be historically accurate?
Of course, who says all our picks need to be historically accurate?

They can just as well be from the future.
They can just as well be from the future.

Or, I guess, in this case, a long long time ago.
Or, I guess, in this case, a long long time ago.

Now when it comes to sci-fi, the final battles from Independence Day, and
Now when it comes to sci-fi, the final battles from Independence Day, and

Stealth are both slick, and we really like the anachronistic time travel aerial
Stealth are both slick, and we really like the anachronistic time travel aerial

battle between F14's and Zeros from the final countdown.
battle between F14's and Zeros from the final countdown.

But there's nothing quite like the iconic battle between TIE fighters and
But there's nothing quite like the iconic battle between TIE fighters and

X-Wings from Star Wars: A New Hope.
X-Wings from Star Wars: A New Hope.

>> Yahoo!
>> Yahoo!

>> Heavily inspired by famous dog fights of old,
>> Heavily inspired by famous dog fights of old,

it's no secret that Lucas was a aerial cinema nut.
it's no secret that Lucas was a aerial cinema nut.

He looked to Wings, 633 squadron, and especially Dambusters for inspiration.
He looked to Wings, 633 squadron, and especially Dambusters for inspiration.

Next up at number five, we always like to make an effort to keep it global.
Next up at number five, we always like to make an effort to keep it global.

So, if we're looking worldwide,
So, if we're looking worldwide,

we can find some familiar dog fights with fresh perspectives.
we can find some familiar dog fights with fresh perspectives.

Riding on the enemy side, De Stern Von Afrika shows us a German perspective on
Riding on the enemy side, De Stern Von Afrika shows us a German perspective on

Word War II dog fighting, that'll feel familiar to Hollywood fans.
Word War II dog fighting, that'll feel familiar to Hollywood fans.

[SOUND] Looking east to Russia, our favorite is bomber, and
[SOUND] Looking east to Russia, our favorite is bomber, and

it's early bomber V fighter battle.
it's early bomber V fighter battle.

[SOUND] But for our pick, we really enjoy the Kamikaze films,
[SOUND] But for our pick, we really enjoy the Kamikaze films,

that come out of Japan.
that come out of Japan.

Instead of the death crazed suicide bombers depicted from the Western
Instead of the death crazed suicide bombers depicted from the Western

perspective, the active kamikaze is depicted as complicated, and nuanced,
perspective, the active kamikaze is depicted as complicated, and nuanced,

in equal measure, but always somber.
in equal measure, but always somber.

And you can look to the dog fights from Zero Fighter, and For Those We Love, for
And you can look to the dog fights from Zero Fighter, and For Those We Love, for

some awesome footage.
some awesome footage.

[SOUND] But our number five pick, goes to final air battle before diving
[SOUND] But our number five pick, goes to final air battle before diving

into a kamikaze attack from The Eternal Zero.
into a kamikaze attack from The Eternal Zero.

[MUSIC]
[MUSIC]

More solemn and graceful, emotional and tragic, than downright high octane.
More solemn and graceful, emotional and tragic, than downright high octane.

This dog fight carves beautifully through the clouds,
This dog fight carves beautifully through the clouds,

and into the sea, earning it's spot on our list.
and into the sea, earning it's spot on our list.

But there's more to World War II, than just the Pacific Front.
But there's more to World War II, than just the Pacific Front.

We can't forget the war going on in Europe, and the movies about it.
We can't forget the war going on in Europe, and the movies about it.

We can't mention them all, but
We can't mention them all, but

our favorites include dog fights from the Purple Plane, 12:00 High, The War Lover,
our favorites include dog fights from the Purple Plane, 12:00 High, The War Lover,

and especially The Battle of Britain.
and especially The Battle of Britain.

Which staged one of the grandest battles of actual World War II planes ever seen,
Which staged one of the grandest battles of actual World War II planes ever seen,

outside of, well you know, the war.
outside of, well you know, the war.

However, our pick for number four, goes to the very first dog fight
However, our pick for number four, goes to the very first dog fight

between the titular plane, and a squadron of German fighters from Memphis Belle.
between the titular plane, and a squadron of German fighters from Memphis Belle.

[NOISE] >> Six o'clock high.
[NOISE] >> Six o'clock high.

>> Nine o'clock high.
>> Nine o'clock high.

>> Two 190's 12 o'clock high.
>> Two 190's 12 o'clock high.

[NOISE] >> [INAUDIBLE]
[NOISE] >> [INAUDIBLE]

>> Three fighters Nine o'clock,
>> Three fighters Nine o'clock,

coming around.
coming around.

Keep your eyes on them, Dan.
Keep your eyes on them, Dan.

[NOISE] >> This is a totally different kind of dog
[NOISE] >> This is a totally different kind of dog

fighting than the others on our list.
fighting than the others on our list.

Instead of nimble and agile one man fighters, performing sky high acrobatics,
Instead of nimble and agile one man fighters, performing sky high acrobatics,

and aerial maneuvers, The Belle is a giant Boeing B-17 flying fortress bomber,
and aerial maneuvers, The Belle is a giant Boeing B-17 flying fortress bomber,

fending off attacks from all sides.
fending off attacks from all sides.

What's really incredible here,
What's really incredible here,

is the sense of team work from the crew of the Belle.
is the sense of team work from the crew of the Belle.

You really feel the danger, which is why we love it for our list.
You really feel the danger, which is why we love it for our list.

[SOUND] Next up at number three,
[SOUND] Next up at number three,

we're circling back around one last time, to World War I.
we're circling back around one last time, to World War I.

The granddaddy of the fighter plane.
The granddaddy of the fighter plane.

We've got a couple more films to talk about.
We've got a couple more films to talk about.

First, Aces High.
First, Aces High.

The plot might be a bit generic and lame, but the flying certainly isn't.
The plot might be a bit generic and lame, but the flying certainly isn't.

It's got classic gun battles, and lots of them.
It's got classic gun battles, and lots of them.

Second, The Blue Max, a British film about German pilots trying to earn a medal of
Second, The Blue Max, a British film about German pilots trying to earn a medal of

valor, for shooting down 20 enemy aircraft, this one is an absolute classic.
valor, for shooting down 20 enemy aircraft, this one is an absolute classic.

But for our pick, we're looking right after the war with The Great Waldo Pepper.
But for our pick, we're looking right after the war with The Great Waldo Pepper.

[SOUND] Feeling ashamed of missing out on aerial combat during the great war,
[SOUND] Feeling ashamed of missing out on aerial combat during the great war,

Robert Redford is shooting a dog fight for a movie,
Robert Redford is shooting a dog fight for a movie,

opposite a famous German ace when the two start actually duking it out.
opposite a famous German ace when the two start actually duking it out.

Of course, their movie planes don't have real machine guns, so they start ramming
Of course, their movie planes don't have real machine guns, so they start ramming

each other, playing chicken, and trying to run each other out of the air.
each other, playing chicken, and trying to run each other out of the air.

[SOUND] Closing in at number two,
[SOUND] Closing in at number two,

we're going animated.
we're going animated.

Because while it's extremely difficult, and dangerous,
Because while it's extremely difficult, and dangerous,

and probably illegal to actually blow up airborne aircraft for
and probably illegal to actually blow up airborne aircraft for

the movies, it's a whole lot easier to draw it.
the movies, it's a whole lot easier to draw it.

Macross Zero has a couple cool animated dog fights between laser
Macross Zero has a couple cool animated dog fights between laser

shooting fighter jets.
shooting fighter jets.

[SOUND] And we really wish we could pick Paths of Hate,
[SOUND] And we really wish we could pick Paths of Hate,

an awesome little short film about a single dog fight that's beautiful, and
an awesome little short film about a single dog fight that's beautiful, and

weird, and as powerful as you can get.
weird, and as powerful as you can get.

[SOUND] But it's not a feature,
[SOUND] But it's not a feature,

so it can't make our list.
so it can't make our list.

But that's okay, because the 2D3D mash up, that is the opening fight
But that's okay, because the 2D3D mash up, that is the opening fight

from Sky Crawlers, is equally gorgeous and worthwhile.
from Sky Crawlers, is equally gorgeous and worthwhile.

[SOUND] >> [INAUDIBLE]
[SOUND] >> [INAUDIBLE]

>> [SOUND] Taking place in a parallel
>> [SOUND] Taking place in a parallel

world, with cool diesel punk planes where private corporations stage wars to
world, with cool diesel punk planes where private corporations stage wars to

ease the populus, this flight is awesome Just as gripping and
ease the populus, this flight is awesome Just as gripping and

engaging as any live action dog fight.
engaging as any live action dog fight.

And if you haven't got enough of Nomura Oshi's take on the sky,
And if you haven't got enough of Nomura Oshi's take on the sky,

stay tuned to the end for a giant final battle of epic proportion.
stay tuned to the end for a giant final battle of epic proportion.

And finally ticking down to number one, we've seen the past,
And finally ticking down to number one, we've seen the past,

future and every war in between.
future and every war in between.

So can we get some modern aerial combat please?
So can we get some modern aerial combat please?

Well the bad news is,
Well the bad news is,

that dog fight movies have fallen out of the public's favor.
that dog fight movies have fallen out of the public's favor.

We're a long way from the golden age of the 50's and 60's.
We're a long way from the golden age of the 50's and 60's.

But the good news is,
But the good news is,

that some filmmakers don't really care, and have made some awesome flicks anyway.
that some filmmakers don't really care, and have made some awesome flicks anyway.

And while that could be 2010's Soar into the Sun, that sees North and
And while that could be 2010's Soar into the Sun, that sees North and

South Korean air forces face off.
South Korean air forces face off.

Our top pick actually goes to the very first dog
Our top pick actually goes to the very first dog

fight from Les Chevaliers Du Ciel.
fight from Les Chevaliers Du Ciel.

[SOUND] >> [FOREIGN]
[SOUND] >> [FOREIGN]

>> [SOUND] In a movie filled with
>> [SOUND] In a movie filled with

absolutely jaw dropping aerial cinematography,
absolutely jaw dropping aerial cinematography,

this dog fight just takes the cake.
this dog fight just takes the cake.

It puts you right in the pilot seat, follows the action perfectly, and
It puts you right in the pilot seat, follows the action perfectly, and

looks exactly like a modern dog fight should.
looks exactly like a modern dog fight should.

Which is why we think, it's the best movie dog fight of all time.
Which is why we think, it's the best movie dog fight of all time.

[SOUND] So what do you think?
[SOUND] So what do you think?

Do you disagree with one of our picks?
Do you disagree with one of our picks?

Did we leave out one of your favorite dog fights?
Did we leave out one of your favorite dog fights?

Let us know in the comments below, and
Let us know in the comments below, and

be sure to subscribe for more Cinefix movie lists.
be sure to subscribe for more Cinefix movie lists.

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