Panther Project YouTube video “Terry’s Downfall”
The Panther Project
Review by Terry Ashley
Technical Assistance by Jon Bailey
Backing music by "The Cockroaches"
Following on from the panther project interactive DVD-ROM released back in 2007, the makers have now produced their second effort in the form of a YouTube video “Terry’s Downfall”
This is based on sequences taken from the 2004 film “Downfall” directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, written by Bernd Eichinger and based upon the books: Inside Hitler's Bunker by historian Joachim Fest.This is based on sequences taken from the 2004 film “Downfall” directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, written by Bernd Eichinger and based upon the books: Inside Hitler's Bunker by historian Joachim Fest.
First off is a language warning due to the many profanities included in the sub-title text, so make sure the kiddies are tucked away before viewing the video? The language used in the video and “the Flame” blog is riddled with similar profanities as it would seem the authors are either incapable of conveying a message without the use of such language or are simple lacking the intelligence to do so.
Interestingly “the Flame” blog text has been cleaned up a little to remove the most offensive profanities; I guess they were embarrassed with the depth of their own depravity.
While the use of this video is quite humorous in parts while quite disturbing I others if you consider the mental state of the producers it shows a distinct lack of originality. The scene depicting Hitler’s final outburst has been used if previous parodies such as one showed Hitler in character as Hillary Clinton denouncing Barack Obama's victory in the 2008. Another feature Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2009 as well as other parodies based on the same movie sequences.
As with the DVD there is no bibliography or accreditation for the source material which led to the panther project having to make restitution to Wings & Wheels publications for the unauthorised use of their images. Opps, did those at the panther project forget to tell anyone about that despite the assurance they would update their site with any developments? One would hope they sort permission to use the movie sequences?
The production vales of the video are quite poor in parts being very grainy while in others they are quite sharp, probably depends where they lifted the sequences from I guess?
Some of the scene cuts are rather jerky and the lip syncing to the sub-titles is fairly well done but misses in a few areas.
The video starts with people tossing papers and books out the window, I would presume that’s all other Panther reference books as the makers claim the DVD has so much material it’s all you need?
One can only assume the single paper sheets floating down are the many failed attempts to print out the 1:35 scale plans on the DVD which when printed are not to true 1:35 scale despite the claims to the contrary by the makers.
The scene then shifts to the street with a motley crew (no not the band) manning an anti-tank gun emplacement and being chastised by some grubby unwashed man (presumably a cameo from Brian) for using the flawed DML Flak 88 kit (according to the video).
The sub-titled text is a little confusing for at one point they are talking about the DML Flak88 and the next about using the Trumpeter T-34s, this mix of scales between 1:35 and 1:16 subjects is rather confusing for the casual viewer
It would seem that those at the panther project despite having the full resources of the Wheatcroft Collection at their disposal still have problems identifying hardware.
Following on from the repeated description on the DVD of the MG34 being 7.62mm instead of the correct 7.92mm and the depiction of a Panzer I driver’s station instead of that of a Panther we see further technical errors in the video.
The emplaced gun in this video sequence is described as a German 88 but is actually a Soviet 85mm Anti-Aircraft Gun M1939 (52-K). To provide a little background for the makers of the video the 85mm 52-K was adopted in 1939 and used throughout WWII as a successful AA design and just like the German 88 could fire anti-tank rounds should the need arise.
Image of 52-K courtesy the Tankmaster
Maybe the makers of the video might like to correct that small error, but wait. If we step back in time to the release of the DVD the producers stated they would update the DVD with any corrections identified?
We see they have admitted to there being errors on the DVD but yet no attempt has been made to update the DVD in the preceding 2 years or maybe even issue a DVD Mk.2 with all the obvious errors fixed.
Far be it for me to cast ascertains on anyone but if I and others are branded liars for not adhering to comments made in e-mails to the very second then I’ll leave it to others to work out what it should be called if one states they will make corrections to a flawed product but 2 years on failed to do so. Instead they produce this classic piece of “shoot the messenger” rather than spending this time doing what they said they would do in the first place.
While on the subject of DVD errors the makers repeatedly state “yes there are errors in the DVD, we have never denied that”.
But the question is not “are there errors on the DVD” the question is “point out any factual errors in my review relating to the DVD”. A very different question indeed as anyone can see but again the makers simply ignore the elephant in the room with this smoke screen about “yes there are errors on the DVD” while ignoring the fundamental question. While at the same time not updating the DVD as they said they would some 2 years earlier, this does get a little repetitive I know.
The video then moves the final sequences inside “the bunker” and a gathering of what we can only assume is the “cockroaches” from some private forum gathered to plan their next dastardly deeds?
On “the Flame” blog the makers go on with quite vicious language about a group of “cowardly cockroaches” from this supposed “Jon Bailey private forum”. Well first off this was not Jon’s forum but just a forum he was a member of like many thousands of other modellers around the World on various forums.
For the record the only forum Jon Bailey is or has been involved with in any admin capacity other than a short stint as moderator on ML is schwerpunkt which Jon co-hosts with James Blackwell
Claiming this “private forum” was owned by Jon does sound better for the conspiracy theory than if he was just a member.
It would also seem those at the panther project have developed a functioning time travel machine as they claim to know where this DVD was at any given moment, to the very second indeed as outlined in some hysterical “timeline” even though they are in the UK and the DVD in Australia, the other side of the planet for those geographically challenged.
Yet this same time travel machine seems to have failed them with the depiction of the “great leader” in the video as I don’t have a moustache and have never worn a neck tie for years. But I have been known to shake uncontrollable and go berserk when cornered by a herd of rabid cockroaches so that part is quite feasible.
I thought, seeing as he wishes to label me dishonest on his own site with this link I best update the review with events that had, or in some cases not happened over the preceding two years so people get the full story.
The film “Downfall” received an Academy Award nomination in 2005 as the best foreign film and won the British Independent Film Award the same year as the best foreign film, be interesting to see if this video from the panther project receives the same lofty accolades.
So Margaret, what would you give this film? Well David it’s quite funny in places but lacks credibility due to the many unsubstantiated allegations, profanities used and technical discrepancies just like the DVD as well as rather spurious use of facts and poor character depictions.
I’d give the film 1 out of 5.
But, hey it’s free, go have a look and then ask yourself why the makers couldn’t have just updated the errors some 2 years ago like they said they would instead of resorting to this rubbish now.
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