There are a lot of issues with the film viewer, but is still a good tool, you just have to learn to live with the programs failures. If you dont have the terrain the film was taken on in your terrain folder it will show just an ocean view. All boats are not in the right place when you view the films that you're in or around. I get odd artifact after jumping around in a film. Terrain tiles will stand on end, or land tiles will be changed out with water tiles. Sometimes to guns firing will get stuck and just keep firing. You use to be able to sort the list box as well, sort by name, range, alt, speed and plane type. The buttons are still there but they dont do anything.
Even with the issues you can pick up a lot of info. Most times just closing and reopening the viewer will clear the issue for awhile.