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.
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.