INQIAD BIN ALI

Chronicling the daring raids of the 100th Bomb Group over Germany and North Africa during World War II along with portraying the infamously heavy losses the squadrons incurred, viewers were treated to a deeply fascinating and engaging storyline. Told through the eyes of three pilots – Majors Gale ‘Buck’ Cleven, John ‘Bucky’ Egan, and Robert ‘Rosie’ Rosenthal – supported by occasional narration by navigator Major Harry Crosby, Masters of the Air presented a rich, multi-layered story. From the pilots’ training in Texas, to their lives in the frontlines and later in German prisoner-of-war camps, everything was represented in detail.

Its storytelling transcended beyond the well-crafted battle sequences. Masters of the Air also portrayed the change in social dynamics between the aviators where their strong sense of community withers due to the mounting losses.

The depth of the production crew’s attention-to-detail was further underlined by how accurate the props were. The set and prop designs for the group’s base in Norwich, East Anglia, the B-17 Flying Fortresses’ liveries, and the aviators’ uniforms, was depicted with precision. Similarly, the aerial battle scenes turned out to be intense. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the actors. The cast carried out their roles to perfection. Callum Turner and Austin Butler deserve their flowers for their portrayals of Egan and Cleven respectively. The rawness of their emotions, combined with the rugged, nonchalant confidence of an aviator added a new dimension to their characters, and on-screen friendship. All in all, Masters of the Air has everything. Much like its predecessors Band of Brothers and Pacific , Masters of the Air has etched its place in contemporary warfare lore.