MovieChat Forums > The Peacemaker (1997) Discussion > Army helicopters

Army helicopters

posted 19 years ago by PenaltyBox
9 replies | jump to latest

I had two questions about the scene where the Apache attack helicopters are about to enter Russian Federation airspace. I'm not sure if these are plot holes or something that can be explained, perhaps by folks who are in the military and better understand this sort of stuff.

1) Didn't the Russian army guys hear/understand/realize what DeVoe (George Clooney's character) was saying to them just before the rockets were launched? DeVoe says something to the effect of, "Put your weapons on hold. The nukes are headed to Chechnya, Georgia. Repeat, put your weapons on hold." The very next scene shows the Russian army guy on the radio (translated) as saying "They haven't answered yet, sir," to his commanding officer. Why was it that when the helicopter pilot was communicating with the Russian army guys that they heard/understood each other, but yet when DeVoe went on the radio, they acted as if they did not hear him? Was this perhaps done on purpose? Plausible deniability?

2) After the Russian rockets destroy the one Apache helicopter, the movie shows the other two helicopters proceeding inside Russian Federation airspace...with no further attempts at airspace defence by the Russians?! Surely, the Russian Federation has more than just two rockets assigned to defend its airspace! Why weren't there any more subsequent attacks on the Apache helicopters? Were they already too deep inside Russian territory for their defence rockets to be of much use?

Thanks! :)

[–] michaelayon83 19 years ago

First off, they were not AH-64 Apache helicopters. I haven't seen the movie in a while, but I don't think they were even US choppers (maybe an old Vietnam era Huey). Westland Linx or some French chopper comes to mind.

1. I can't recall. But controlled airspace is controlled airspace.

2. It does appear they were clear of the missle/rocket defense. I'm sure they were/would have scrambled some attack jets if clearance from the Russian President/General/?? wasn't given to the Americans.

[–] namelessimp 18 years ago

They were HH65s.

[–] nobymom 18 years ago

To answer your first question- I wondered that as well, but then it dawned on me that the guy was waiting for Russian authorization to not shoot in response to what was said- they were about to be out of range and since they hadn't received russian response to hold weapons, instead of letting them get away, they shot. For your second question, you'd think that they would have sent other weapons and caught up with them on the bridge. Maybe by then they had convinced the russians that they were just trying to help... who knows?? :)

[–] pliskin12001 18 years ago

Actually they were not Apaches or HH65s. The helicopters used were transport versions of the commanche. The Commanche was a prototype helicopter under development for the US army. but Washington in all its wisdom cancelled the 50 billion dollar project after they became more Interested in UAV's. If you ever watch the movie Hulk w/ Eric Bana. Then you will see those choppers in the scene in which Hulk is running from the Army Base toward San Fransico.

[–] texstephens-1 18 years ago

Close,but no cigar. The script actually ID's them as "Air Force" but
several U S services utilize this ship in one version or another. The Coast
Guard has a considerable number in service,a number of which saw duty in New
Orleans after Katrina.
It is actually a Military version of an Aerospatiale SA 365 Duaphin,
Mil. Design. AS 565AA & AS 565UA. Equipt with Two 1050 SHP Turbines,seating
for One pilot and up to nine Passengers.

[–] Niteshift36 18 years ago

The military nomenclature for the Dauphin is the HH65.

The helicopers were modified HH-65's.

See the link here:

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/hh-65.htm

[–] Royalcourtier 10 years ago

The Commanche did not have a transport version, and in any case did not enter service. These were real helicopters.

[–] itsverynet 18 years ago

Just re-watched the movie on TV:

1) The Russian guys of course don't listen to what the intruders say. They are in the army and their job is to protect their borders. Can't let everybody intrude who seems to have a good excuse.
And "They haven't answered yet, Sir" referred to their command center, not to the helicopters!

2) They passed the first defense line and it will take some time until other troops take over ... or something ... they need time for the action scene and to retrieve the 8 bombs ;)

everything though, it's very
http://www.moviereviewblog.net/

[–] tbeller80 8 years ago

For #2, imagine you're holding a rifle and for whatever reason you can't turn around. As soon as someone running toward you passes your barrel you can't shoot them anymore. Same thing with those missiles.