Iron Sky (2012)

Renate Richter: Please do me a favor: Play a Nazi!
James Washington: And if I don't?
Renate Richter: They will eliminate you.
James Washington: Oh great.

Director:  Timo Vuorensola
Producers:  Oliver Damian, Tero Kaukomaa, Cathy Rodda, Samuli Torssonen
Main Cast:  Julia Dietze, Christopher Kirby, Götz Otto, Vivian Wagner, Stephanie Paul
Runtime:  93 minutes and 110 minutes (Directors Cut)

What if things were not as they seemed?  What if the Nazi’s sent people and resources to the moon at the end of WW2 in 1945 to prepare for an eventual return to earth as the fourth Reich?  Iron Sky is a Finnish-German-Australian production that deals with that funny yet interestingly weird scenario.  The Nazi’s had possession of UFO type technology at the end of the war and upon losing the war they fled to the moon to build numbers and resources for an eventual return to earth.  Many in the moon colony had the understanding that they would return to earth in peace and to relay their thoughts and plans to make a better earth, but secretly they intended to return for war.

Whilst I can explain what the movie is about, I found that I was giving away too much of the fun stuff to explore, so I will let the DVD cover give the explanation ☺

“Towards the end of World War II the Nazi scientists made a significant breakthrough in anti-gravity. From a secret base built in the Antarctic, the first Nazi spaceships were launched in late ‘45 to found the military base Schwarze Sonne (Black Sun) on the dark side of the Moon. This base was to build a powerful invasion fleet and return to take over the Earth once the time was right.

Now it’s 2018, and it’s the time for the first American Moon landing since the 70’s. Meanwhile the Nazi invasion, that has been over 70 years in the making, is on its way, and the world is goose-stepping towards its doom.”

OK, there we have it.  Moon Nazi’s end up invading earth though this time it will not be in their Messerschmitt bf 109 planes or Panzer tanks!  For those who like a WW2 movie but don’t want anything too serious (like the wonderful Kelly’s Heroes), this is a film that will fit the bill.  The movie does not take itself seriously but is really a lot of fun with fantastic special effects with that mix of old school metal design mixed with modern tech.  Whilst the idea seems ridiculous, a lot of the film is based off unofficial/unproven theories, ideas and plans that were supposedly taken from the Nazi’s at the end of WW2 (the Germans were more technically advanced than the Allies during the war).  There is a lot more to it than that but let’s just say the movie takes these ideas and fleshes them out in a BIG way.  I will let you do some digging around if you want to find out more about these rumours/theories.

There is one part of the movie which really plays off a part of the fantastic 2004 German movie Downfall which is about Hitler’s last days.  As Hitler realises the war has been lost he goes off at his generals (see a version on Youtube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7PmzdINGZk) and likewise one of the characters responsible for the campaign to re-elect the existing President of the United States mimics the same fit of rage that Hitler had in Downfall.  Sadly, I guess it will go mostly unnoticed by viewers who have not seen the German film but for those who have seen it, it’s a crack up (again, apart from the language used).

Whilst there is some swearing throughout the film, I would have to say that I really enjoyed the movie in its mix of old and modern sci-fi action comedy theme.  The comments and actions are often hilarious and it’s a movie that will be enjoyed as long as you don’t take it too seriously and don’t expect a deep engrossing story.  I have enjoyed every viewing of it and to be honest it keeps getting better, but I can have an odd taste and sense of humour sometimes!

The Bluray reviewed is the “Dictators Cut” which is about 17 minutes longer than the normal version and it was imported from the UK.  You can buy the theatrical cut Bluray/DVD in Australia for as low as $10 which is a bargain.  The image looks great in its 2.4:1 aspect ratio but you will notice that the visuals lack a bit of colour when on the moon as it is designed to be bleak and grey (except for the reds) but the footage on earth is full of punch and colourful.  The sound is in the DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 and packs enough bang to challenge a Tiger tank.

The Dictators Cut also includes the following extra features:

• 32-Page concept art book
• The 75 minute Making of Iron Sky

Overall It’s a very competent movie that was made (and partly crowd funded) on a slim budget thus making it a “B” movie.  The effects are fantastic, story wild and unreal in many parts yet very enjoyable and comes highly recommended especially if you like the idea of a WW2 and sci-fi mixed themed film with a decent dose of sci-fi and comedy thrown in for the mix.

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