'Most complicated, ambitious thing we've ever tried': 'Masters of the Air' creator

John Orloff talks with CNN's Fredricka Whitfield about the decade-long creation of the 'Masters of the Air' AppleTV+ series that tells the story of the impossible odds that B-17 bomber pilots faced in the second World War. #CNN #News

[@ronaldcole7415]

16 missions in a B-17 over Europe was the goal. Day time. The odds of getting there were terrible. They went anyway. Brits faced similar odds at night. Serious courage. Pacific was no cake walk either.

[@Crediblesport]

25 then 30 then 35 going to 40 in 45 when the war ended.

[@Mark-Haddow]

Who do you think was running all the day bombing & night raids prior to the US joining the UK alliance?

[@Gerryvel]

​@Mark-Haddow who?

[@ronaldcole7415]

@@Mark-Haddow Brits tried it. Got their arses handed to them, so they changed to night. They warned the Americans not to go daytime. But the Americans were too stubborn believing their magical bomb site would make a difference the Brits couldn't do. They were wrong.

[@susanroutt6690]

My father was a tail gunner in the Pacific. He never talked about it, but I remember his terrible nightmares.

[@rbbartho1]

She is a liar

[@djchromatix4640]

Propaganda films are so cringe, tbh the true masters of the air were the RAF.

[@CrazyMaryJo]

Am 75 and had uncles in WWII. This history needs to be learned by those younger than me. On point storytelling.

[@StanleyBrandl]

The timing of Masters of the Air is perfect. Its imperative we remember the horrors of war and the sacrifice our men and woman gave this country. In 1940 Winston Churchill gave his historical speech calling the atracks from Germany England Darkest Hour. England was literally hanging on by a tread and as history again repeats itself. The Republican party opposed military aid and support to England in 1940 just like today's Republican party duing in Ukraine. It sickening to think this barbaric atrocities are happing again in today time and when our allies needs us the most our politicians are playing politics 🙄😢.

[@DragonHeart613]

Masters of The Air was created by the same team behind Band of Brothers & The Pacific, both of them iconic HBO original miniseries events so that begs the question: Why is Masters of The Air on frickin' Apple TV+ instead of HBO Max???

[@thomasdequincey5811]

I'm guessing ... more money.

[@joanneweiss3864]

Easily Googled question. "Like its companion series, "Masters of the Air" was originally slated for production by HBO, in cooperation with Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and Hanks' Playtone, but HBO dropped the development of the show because of production delays (mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and its expansive budget."

[@steve2070]

Because it is inferior.

[@jmpattillo]

@@steve2070 This. The writing is sub-par. They probably didn’t have as much good material to draw from as with Band of Brothers and The Pacific.

[@wesleyhitchcock4414]

My dad was a mustang jock and later an f86 but i really do not know any details at all of what he did. He retired as the Chief Systems Anylist of the Air Force but that was a civil service position. He passed in 2001 and the rest of my family that were in WW2 are all gone now. So i can relate to those that never knew what our parents, and grandparents for younger folks(i am 67), actually did. Can't wait to see this series

[@samshepperrd]

My father served in the Mighty Eighth. Flight Engineer - Top Turret gunner. I sat in at at a warbird air museum here in So California to hear a talk by a Tuskegee veteran. A modest and humble man. Not a braggart. They proved their worth. To their country and to the Luftwaffa. At that same occasion I heard from a man who's job was to escort the remains of dead GIs back to their grieving families. some of the coffins had to remain sealed against the pleading of mothers who may have lost their only child. Because the remains were incomplete and unrecognizable. I'd heard the book on audiobook about the time work started on the film. I'd also seen many documentaries and read up on the war, particularly the air war in Europe. My father was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and another, the Air Medal maybe. He wasn't too active in associations of veterans etc. He had one friend from his crew , a side gunner named Mike. My dad was just glad to have had a part in ending that evil empire. Great film! Everything thing I'd hoped it would be.

[@peggykrech69]

My Dad was also in the Mighty Eightith, a nose gunner on B24. He only started talking about his experiences in the last two years of his life.😅

[@samshepperrd]

@@peggykrech69 My dad didn't talk a lot about it either. but then he hasxa man of few words. I've heard the same of veterans of Vietnam and other wars. They know only another person who's been through the same things can relate and understand. Many are haunted by those who's life they've taken in battle. Perhaps to deal with it my dad volunteered at an air museum with planes, airshows and other veterans. They even got visits from German WWII fighter pilot veterans. Many were not dedicated Nazis. Many wished Hitler had stayed in Austria and did his lousy paintings. They felt they were defending their neighbors whose houses the bombs too often landed on. Americans shot down hoped it was the German military and not the people, propagandized to kill Americans that took them prisoner. Though escaping back to England was the first priority.

[@AnonymousProPublicaHakr]

Good old men that fought for our country! Much respect 🫡

[@GlobalPenguin2012]

These are the true patriots that made America great!

[@sturkeliousrron4934]

When the best of the best answered the call and were drafted. There were no heel spur excuses. Pro athletes, businessmen, high school graduates… etc the best our country had fought with pride and dedication.

[@networknomad5600]

@@sturkeliousrron4934 Not... really? It was an existential fight, the best of us didn't go... anyone and everyone went. Those who were drafted and volunteered fought.

[@Mamafish68]

This pisses me off, my Uncle was mia in the S.P. and his plane, San Antonio Rose. But because it's on Apple, and not everywhere like it should we can't see it.

[@joanneweiss3864]

I'm sorry for your family!😢 Do what I did for one show ...get the free 7 day trial after it's over. Sadly HBO, planning to have from Spielberg & Hanks companies, dropped it due to covid production delays and overly expensive budget 😡

[@knockshinnoch1950]

It's impossible to fully appreciate what these young men had to endure time and time again. They looked death in the face every time and witnessed unspeakable horror. The show looks epic, yes it has the usual hokey US patriotic cheesy dialogue that this genre can never seem to avoid but it's compulsive viewing.

[@calvincooley1074]

To my knowledge, the RedTails were pilots, not gunners. I could be wrong.

[@itomba]

Technically they were the P51 pilots but time has associated the entire squadron , including the bombers,into the same nomenclature.

[@theloniousm4337]

From the generation that just did it and didn't talk about it. Not like today.

[@phyllismosesman8265]

My father was a tail gunner with the Flying Tigers. He served for 3 years in China and India.

[@DaleHartley]

Not as a flying tiger. They only really existed for 7 months flying missions. I am NOT saying he was a not a tail gunner with them, and I am not saying that he did not serve for 3 years over there. I am saying that he was not a tailgunner for the flying tigers for three years since they did not exist that long. 41-42 was their period...before the US entered the war. If what you say is true ( and I cannot, and AM not in anyway discounting it), then your old man was a hell of a man, and we all owe him thanks.

[@DaleHartley]

@@bythesea760 The flying tigers were well gone after the war started proper, and definitely BEFORE Korea. Perhaps he got asked pre WWII? and declined then? It was a really important operation and group of people, but it was short lived. Just look them up, you will see. I would link to some sites, but youtube does not let those apparently anymore.

[@kevinjenner9502]

The AVG (Flying Tigers) flew their first combat mission on Dec 19, 1941, and transitioned into the China Air Task Force in July 1942. They flew single seat Curtis P-40 b aircraft.

[@dgschindele]

I have never been able to understand how those guys got into those planes day after day and managed to stay sane.

[@5cloudwalker]

Great series highly recommend it 😊👍 pity trump can’t understand the sacrifice … instead calling them suckers 😑

[@frogneckmen857]

My grandfather was a ball turret gunner, flew all missions. Never talked about the war. His journal is very interesting

[@PripurnanandaGiri-dl5gf]

Thank You. Speed Detect Perfect Hit Perfections .

[@davidspampinato7916]

My dad was a pilot with the 94th Bomb Group. Cant wait to see this.

[@AverageJoe483]

Her father was an Olympian as well !!

[@ruthhernandez2135]

Guys ngl I don’t watch CNN that much but my History teacher in Ferndale High School (Mr. Genger) spend 20+ years teaching it to his students so if you guys can give him a shout out it will make his life 1000 times better. He’s the best teacher ever and I will love to see him jumping of joy on the hallways. I’m pretty sure he will remember it for the rest of his life❤❤❤

[@ruthhernandez2135]

Please make it happen man❤❤❤❤

[@badass4real154]

CNN is nothing but lies and propaganda.

[@atenachos6282]

Greetings from Royal Oak!

[@wesleyhitchcock4414]

My history teacher was Col. Dean Hess U.S.N. whom the movie "Battle Hymn" starring Rock Hudson was based on. I learned more from him than any other person including most of my uncles and aunts on both sides of my family. My Dad was a pilot but never spoke about his missions in WW2 and the Korean War

[@wilfriedholscher7029]

Maybe this will raise the awareness of how hard American WWII Soldiers fought against Nazi Hitler Germany. Don't let Trump get his way‼️ VOTE BLUE

[@jamescpotter]

My father was a tail gunner in a B-24 Liberator bomber who flew 51 missions in the South Pacific earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. For the life of me, I have no idea how he and his crew survived those missions as he demonstrated a fairly balanced life after the war. He and his crew wore electrically heated flight suits at these crazy altitudes. The B-24 was akin to a flying tuna tin and it is miraculous these souls came back in one piece.

[@floydhutcherson1732]

Joe Biden wins big tonight!! You did it Joe! We did it Joe! Congratulations Mr President on all of your. success. Cornpop ain't got nothing on you. WE DID IT EVERYBODY!! WE WIN!🎉🎉

[@planecrazy6039]

Biden is a disgrace to Americans. Wars and open borders.

[@mhall801]

Worse president in history.

[@kevinjenner9502]

Still waiting for the remake of the 1955 film “The Dam Busters”, which had started production in 2008, by producer Peter Jackson. A number of obstacles have put it on hold, not the least of which was Wing Commander Guy Gibson’s dogs name.

[@Nam-id7kj]

My mother's brother, John, was a Ball Turret gunner on a B-17 flying out of England deep into Deutschland. His plane was shot down & he safely bailed out. While being taken into custody, he was killed by 2 civilians. He was 19. My dad flew B-26's out of Africa into Germany & Italy. F-86's Korea & F-4's Nam. Granpa, WWI & me Nam combat Army 67&68. I am looking with great anticipation to watch Masters of the Air. So many crews lost. 4,735 B-17's, 57,205 men. Life expectancy was 11 missions. The crews flew 25. Warriors with huge cojones, God bless them.

[@tiboregoldberger6817]

CNN Racist In 2023 an estimated 6.3 million children under five died, 2.9 million of them in the WHO African Region. This is equivalent to five children under 5 years of age dying every minute. Two thirds of these deaths can be attributed to preventable causes 1:24 .

[@sturkeliousrron4934]

Fredericka, you must be so proud! We know the Tuskegee Airmen were sent on suicide missions. They were written off before their take off❣️🤲🏽💞

[@AdrianColley]

The whole problem with American stories about WW2 in Europe is that it's all about remembering the heroic effort of the war, and not about remembering how we descended into war in the first place.

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

I have seen all of them, can't watch Masters of the Air - being Germany those were the good ones. They brought not only America but the world together. They will weep in heaven what happens right now in America. The fascists are back, now in their own home country.

[@steve2070]

1st off, 1940 was NOT 2 years before the war began. It was one year AFTER the war began.

[@cookiesnruntz]

Well the US didn't get involved right away. It wasn't until things got really bad that they got involved

[@steve2070]

@@cookiesnruntz really bad for them. It was really bad pretty much everywhere before pearl harbour.

[@steve2070]

no shade thrown, it took a punch in the eye for America to see what was goin on.

[@mikepapahotel]

​@@cookiesnruntz that's the comment I came looking for! ✊🏻

[@stevedavis9466]

the US declared war on Germany and Japan immediately after Pearl Harbor, DEC '41.

[@dianehartung5954]

How can I what the series? This looks so good!!!

[@BigPotatoChill]

Don't bother, it's really bad.

[@I-dont-reply]

That’s nice now report on the border crisis, the cop that got beat up by migrants, or the one that flipped off the cameras after court 😂

[@HoTrEtArDeDcHiXx]

Black sheep 👍🏿

[@patricktherrien9487]

Great movie❤❤❤

[@jamesmcbeth4463]

I'm not jumping through hoops to watch a television show. Sorry.

[@redrumman2142]

If they not talking about the red tails IDGAF scratch that NVM very good show 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@JEREMY99218]

0:02 NO, not "brave men and women" just brave MEN!

[@americoparenti4675]

ITs alive and strong in american south.

[@ChrisoulaLakkas]

You attract more of what you want by appreciating what you have already. Take time to appreciate absolutely everything!

[@TheSalinski]

Her father was an airman; what a cool moment. My father was a gunner too.

[@floreancostea8352]

Ms. NIKKI how is it right for you when you have tu start counting from zero and him started counting from fifty someting, where did hi got thouse 55 pointi and houwe fair war thei counted for me that is veri unfair and out right ling big!

[@stevenwendellnelson8861]

Please pray this now, pray the words as you read them if you cannot look and remember 🙏 "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen." 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 If you can't remember the words to any prayer, pray them as you read them if you cannot look and remember them 🙏 please consider beginnning daily prayer, it is a good habit that will help you if you do it and continue to do it. Don't just read from the Book or merely say you are a member of a religion! Actually practice daily prayer, the most fundamental part of religion (or one of the most fundamental parts). What would any Holy Book be without regular prayer? It will actually help you!

[@autormiguelmartinezcastillo]

saludos para ustedes

[@artiartibald9431]

The greatest winning power is Russia, a priori

[@rozembergbarbosa24]

I didn't see it yet but i heard there is an episody about black master of the air not accept at all as part of the group due the period of there time

[@LeechyKun]

Sadly that generation is mostly long gone. These days the types of kids that would go fight are half it not less than what those were of the past. They'd probably cry over a broken nail or complain they forgot to dye their hair or require they get sexual reassignment surgery before being drafted or prefer to stay at home to game. Last but not least, easily obtain a doctors note with how easy it is to get diagnosed with some mental disorder these days.

[@Stephenr-ld7hp]

Gen o cide J oe

[@JukeNnukem]

It's a great show. Must watch

[@true.is.around]

be rdy to protect this what ur grandfathers fight for... Russia/China is not finished story....

[@planecrazy6039]

Men and women served and died to protect America. The Biden opened the borders. He is a disgrace to Americans.

[@rodrigomarcio2610]

Heroes

[@HowardWebb_ceo_of_fraud_VAR115]

To many hollywood clichés and stereotypes and it's far from historically accurate

[@jordan6049]

What are the inaccuracies?

[@HowardWebb_ceo_of_fraud_VAR115]

@@jordan6049 the show suggests that there wasn't much going on over the skies of Germany until Americas eighth air force started operations mid way through 1943 when in fact that year the RAF dropped 157,457 tons of bombs on the enemy .the mighty eighth only managed less than one 15th of that total which is 10,655 tons in 1945 the RAF was still delivering 20 percent more ordnance and it wasn't until the following year that the USAAF drew level Also the idea of bombing in the daytime to be more accurate and cleaner and more morally correct turned out to be a bad idea and the American losses 1943 were massive which made America rethink there strategy and they even considered switching to night time raids as well but the situation was saved with the arrival of the long range Mustang fighters which were able to escort them and the morale thing is abit of a joke because America fire bombed tokyo in 1945 and killed far more than the RAF managed in the Hamburg raids two years earlier and the America indiscriminately nuked two cities in 1945 ,,,,,,, Maybe when it gets a few more episodes in it might get abit more realistic it's still early days but so far I can't say it's been a enjoyable watch which is disappointing for me because I'm a big fan of band of brothers

[@HowardWebb_ceo_of_fraud_VAR115]

@@jordan6049 I did reply but apparently cnn don't want you to know what really happened I wonder why that is

[@HowardWebb_ceo_of_fraud_VAR115]

@@jordan6049 I tried a link but cnn took that down too ,,,,,,but they can't erase history it's well documented,,,,,,,,if you want to know just Google masters of the air brilliant but it isn't accurate,,,,you should find it 😉

[@HowardWebb_ceo_of_fraud_VAR115]

@@jordan6049 cnn are determined for you to not know for some reason I have tried many times and they keep taking it down now that's gotta tell you something

[@JoeRoganWorld]

Incredible real and riveting fight scenes

[@JibsMotoVlog]

Without Tom Hanks!???

[@lindafrancis1237]

Austinbutler ❤

[@thomasdequincey5811]

Looks good.

[@I-dont-reply]

Imma just go ahead and vote for Trump, ok?

[@ChienaAvtzon]

Spielberg and Hanks bet on the wrong horse, and clearly only read the prologue of “Masters of the Air”. Since the book was actually inspired by Robert Rosenthal, who was the 100th’s most famous pilot and (according to Paul Tibbets) the legend of the 8th Air Force. Cleven and Egan were the weak link in the miniseries, and really dragged everything down. There was nothing interesting or sympathetic about them, and the performances were not even good.

[@MrKenng123]

Bye bye Byedon, let's go Trump. 😅😊😂

[@I-dont-reply]

Trump 2024🎉❤

[@hayeonkim7838]

Interesting 😮

[@leahammerman8063]

This is good.

[@DavidJ2222]

Cmon man.. - - Americans are paying on average $1,020 more each month compared with the same time two years ago

[@HowardWebb_ceo_of_fraud_VAR115]

Any one who knows ww2 history can tell you how Hollywood it is 😂

[@ivareskesner2019]

That's great but I'd rather hear your guys' perspective on the illegal migrants who bashed a cop and just got off, then gave the double finger to America.

[@DragHippieJesus]

That is a big boo hoo but very uncommon and nowhere near as bad as what the January 6th insurrectionists did.

[@martindread6530]

@@DragHippieJesus Democrats caused Jan 6 fruitcake.

[@noneshere]

Democrats are inducing Anarchy in America. The phone companys are saying Obama phones programs are about to end. Phones are tracking devices 1st and foremost to government. If all the less fortunate are not able to be tracked Unsolved Crime Rates are going to skyrocket across the nation.

[@susanroutt6690]

My father fought for America and Democracy. Not to have a Fascist dictator.

[@ivareskesner2019]

​@@DragHippieJesusWhat does Jam 6 have to do with this? Focus, mate. We're talking about the incident with the immigrants and cops, remember?

[@samanthaw4955]

Stop war crimes in Gaza. ✌️

[@jeniferjohnson374]

Exactly

[@planecrazy6039]

Close our borders so we don't have a Gaza here. Elect Trump then problems are solved.

[@mhall801]

@@planecrazy6039👈 Exactly!!

[@rbbartho1]

Obviously, she lied about her father being a WW2 pilot and her uncle being a gunner.

[@dreamcoyote]

Why obviously? Do you have any actual information or just want to bitch?

[@polygonalmasonary]

Was her father in his 70,s when he had her??? I’m 64 and my dad was still only 13 when the war ended. I seriously doubt her father was a gunner in World War Two. 😮😮🇬🇧🌈♥️👍

[@dreamcoyote]

I'm 55 and my father enlisted in 45. He was at the Bikini nuclear tests. So yeah, it's easily possible as she is a few years older than I am.

[@MargaretTovrea]

Surely, a professional commentator is capable of delivering a commentary and a conversation without inane "fillers" such as "I mean" and "right" and "you know".

[@pellestorck3776]

Right, I mean you know.

[@jeniferjohnson374]

Omg who cares. Ppl are ppl

[@thesuperviewer3226]

It's boring.

[@Uliio]

Says more about you than the series tbf 😂

[@matclairoux]

@@Uliio I recognise him, he post in many cooking site that he doesn't like apple pie. 🤷‍♂

[@bpaakwaan7325]

Sadly, this series sucks big time. The scripts are terrible. The actors are wooden. CGI is ok though. The way they portray the British pilots is factually wrong and insulting. That's just my opinion though...and most on IMDB.

[@Roof_Pizza]

Pretty lame show so far, watch the Band of Brothers for the 10th time instead.

[@DavidJ2222]

As a lifelong Taylor Swift fan I look forward to puberty and being of legal age to vote some day 🎉, 🎉,🎉

[@MrMCN1963]

You can vote for her when she runs for prez in 202&, and then it will be for someone who SHOULD be wearing make-up, with natural blonde hair, and not worn in a goofy combover!!!

[@DragHippieJesus]

​@@MrMCN1963 Laughter!! Out loud!! Groovy, baby!!!

[@BushidoXBrown]

Military propaganda

[@Discopuss]

Oh look glorifying war propaganda! Awesome!

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

The real question is whether Austin Butler is still talking like Elvis or not.

[@bravefaery135]

Very funny, i saw somewhere that he had to see a vocal coach to get his real voice back.

[@ChienaAvtzon]

He did still have the Elvis accent.

[@scottmaltby4511]

More Hollywood horseshit. 🖤😎🇺🇲