Electra! Queen of the Aleutian Islands
As reviewed by Mr. Robert J. Serling, noted aviation historian and author and former aviation editor of United Press International--
"This is arguably one of the finest aviation documentaries ever filmed, both in its magnificent photography and a moving narration. William Schulz has produced a masterpiece that simultaneously captures a small but dramatic chunk of aerial lore, while paying a long-overdue tribute to the Lockheed Electra--perhaps the most maligned airliner in commercial aviation history. Simply stated, it is of Academy Award caliber, offering seen-from-the-cockpit, real-life excitement, blended skillfully with unabashed sentimentality". -- Robert J. Serling, April 28, 2003
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As reviewed by Mr. Jon Proctor, Editor-in-Chief of Airliners Magazine "Reeve [Aleutian Airways] flew its immaculately maintained turboprops over some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world...now, everyone can enjoy the next thing to being there. Bill Schulz, founder of the Cielo Company and an admitted aviation romanticist, has captured the spirit and thrill of these last passenger Electras in DVD format, complete with scenery, narrative and personality." -- Jon Proctor, Editor in Chief, Airliners Magazine
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"Electra! DVD Review, Tom Gibson, Host of California Classic Propliners Homepage March, 2003 "I think [the DVD] is the best visual depiction of an aircraft I've ever seen. But not only does the great affection for the plane come through, the way Alaska can grab onto you and not let go is portrayed very clearly. I had a wonderful time when I visited Alaska and rode the Electra, and this production brought all that back again, just like I had never left. I'm so glad to have this DVD as a way to re-live the Electra, Reeve Aleutian, and all the wonderful people there."
Tom Gibson, www.calclassic.com
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"Electra!" VHS Beta Review -- by Al Schadow
I have flown more commercially in the past year than ever and as I was viewing the tape, it felt like being right there on an Electra...The mountains of Alaska are great, but seen from an Electra landing they are breathtaking. The sound on the tape is awesome as I am familiar with a similar plane (C130) that flies locally. I watched the tape with my dad, an aircraft enthusiast and his comment while I was rewinding was "Bill must have jetfuel running through his veins". I am hoping that Bill will find some film of the Electra's Eastern Airlines Days and put that on a DVD. Electra! is a tribute to a man, an airline and a plane.
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"Electra!" VHS Beta Review -- by Dr. Susan Cole, Professor of English
"This documentary is lucid, dramatic, passionate, and so loving in its exquisite attention to detail that it engages the emotions even of those viewers who might not have been initially interested in the life and fate of an airplane. The plane's capabilities, journeys, daring and dangers seem to re-awaken childhood memories for those that knew the Electra."
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"Electra!" VHS Beta Preview-- By Donald McClure, Cpt. (ret) Eastern Airlines"This video affords everyone the unique opportunity of joining us, who were previleged to have flown the Electra, in the cockpit to experience the thrill of the Electra's performance and handling qualities."
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Review of Electra! DVD at Michael Gordon's Adak Web Site http://www.orneveien.org/adak/ Reviewed March, 2003 Comment by Michael Gordon: I am nearly certain that you will treasure this movie, especially if you are fond of the hum of a big four-engine perfectly synchronized turboprop OR you admire the hard beauty of the Aleutian Islands. If you happen to have fond memories of both, this one will bring tears to your eyes. I loved it. The technical quality is first rate, crystal clear and without the editing artifacts (noise, snow, smearing) of analog video -- in other words, DVD digital quality from the moment it was photographed in 1998 and 1999 (I think).
Outline: A brief history of Eastern Airlines' use of the Electra, followed by demise of Electra at Eastern then demise of Eastern Airlines. The author discovers Electras in Alaska: Reeve Aleutian Airline or Airways (It was Airways when I was on Adak but I think it became Airlines later) He goes to Alaska to photograph and experience the Electra, but is captivated by the awesome beauty and terrible power of Alaska. We watch ground operations briefly, yet leaving nothing significant out of the preflight, start and takeoff of a four engine turboprop. You'll love the whine of the engine starts, changing to a powerful hum when all four props are synchronized.
What we see: We fly to Sand Point on a sunny day, and the runway will amaze you -- Adak has a luxurious runway compared to Sand Point (or Dutch Harbor for that matter). We do Sand Point again on a winter day and it is quite a bit more intense and then we do Dutch Harbor on a really horrible day. All these approaches are photographed through the front of the aircraft so what the pilots see, you see. Finally you have an approach at Anchorage and a reprise music video and throughout the movie, top quality still photographs as needed.
Style: imagine that a friendly man with a passionate yet gentle voice came to your home, and he had something he wanted you to see, which he loves and he thinks you will too. In fact, he is sure of it. No doubt many viewers have flown on this very airline and have tales of their own (I do!) but do we tire of telling about the time the Reever was sliding sideways down the runway at Cold Bay? How about the time Pat Kelly landed at Adak in a white out with the runway closed and asked the tower to turn on the lights so he would not collide with the tower? Well, here you go: A tale of Alaska and the best aircraft ever made to fly the Aleutian Islands, but this time with visual proof and beautiful music!
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| Production Credits: Music, Production & Flight Simulation |
| | This documentary was filmed over a three year period with the grateful support of Reeve Aleutian Airways. Kriss Bredehoft, Don Wahrus and James Jones of Reeve deserve special thanks, as do all the crews that shared their flight deck with me as we shot what were originally training sequences.Jeff Menter and Kriss Bredehoft of Max Production Company contributed technical advice and post editing and production expertise.Kevin Saunders Hayes graciously provided studio time for the narration, and Scott Alan Smith provided writing advice and technical support.John Rich provided the orginal music composition and much inspiration with his music. Visit www.jrich.com to hear for yourself.David C. Schulz provided some of the most exciting still photographs, including the title shot for the film, and also did the beautiful artwork on the DVD. Visit www.schulzdesign.com to preview his freelance design capabilities.Other still photographers that contributed to the film include Mr. Ron Hill, Jan Curtis, Michael Gordon, Jim Hlay, Donald Boyd, Vasco Garcia, Evelyn Viera, William Schulz, Jr., Scott Darsney, Paul Roberts, Burke Mees, H.G. Nygren and the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
My humble thanks to all these contributors who helped me realize this dream of telling the story of the plane I love so !
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| The Author at Dutch Harbor |
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| Links to Other Aviation Sites |
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| Just Planes for other Videos |
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| Fly Magic One in FS2004 |
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Thanks for Visiting! To order email The Cielo Company at wcschulz3@gmail.com today.
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