One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942)

Directors:

Michael Powell
Emeric Pressburger

Writers:

Emeric Pressburger (story)
Michael Powell (written by) ...

Release Date:

27 June 1942 (UK)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Tagline:

1942s first blast of screen dynamite

Plot:

When the Nazis shoot down a British bomber, its crew seeks help from the Dutch underground.

Plot Keywords:

Resistance | Netherlands | Aviation | WWII | Patriotism

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Godfrey Tearle	...	Sir George Corbett, Rear Gunner in B for Bertie
Eric Portman	...	Tom Earnshaw, Copilot in B for Bertie
Hugh Williams	...	Frank Shelley, Observer / Navigator in B for Bertie
Bernard Miles	...	Geoff Hickman, Front Gunner in B for Bertie
Hugh Burden	...	John Glyn Haggard, Pilot in B for Bertie
Emrys Jones	...	Bob Ashley, Radio Operator in B for Bertie
Pamela Brown	...	Els Meertens
Joyce Redman	...	Jet van Dieren
Googie Withers	...	Jo de Vries
Hay Petrie	...	The Burgomaster
Selma Vaz Dias	...	Burgomeister's wife (as Selma Van Dias)
Arnold Marlé	...	Pieter Sluys
Robert Helpmann	...	De Jong
Peter Ustinov	...	The Priest
Alec Clunes	...	The Organist

Also Known As:

...One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (UK) (alternative spelling)
The Story of - - - - - - one of Our Aircraft Is Missing (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

102 min | USA:82 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Dutch

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Boston, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Company:

Archers, The

Trivia:

The extra squadron members were all active members of the RAF (XVI) squadron.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The Germans are wearing First World War uniforms and equipment.

Quotes:

Else Meertens: Do you think that we Hollanders who threw the sea out of our country will let the Germans have it? Better the sea.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dad's Army: The Lion Has 'Phones (#3.3)" (1969)

involving war drama from 'The Archers'

"...one of our aircraft is missing ..." is a well-cast and well-written piece from Powell and Pressburger, key film makers in 1940s Britain.

The crew of B for Bertie find themselves lost in enemy territory and have to depend on the resources of others to get them to safety. The crew are played by some of the best actors of the time: Godfrey Tearle as the upper-class rear gunner; Eric Portman as the bluff Yorkshire co-pilot; Hugh Williams (father of 1970s actor Simon) as the refined navigator; Bernard Miles - better than usual - as the front gunner; High Burden as the pilot; and Emrys Jones as the Welsh sportsman who became the radio operator.

In support are Googie Withers, P&P regular Pamela Brown, Joyce Redman, Robert Helpmann (as the quisling), Alec Clunes (father of Martin) as the church organist, and Peter Ustinov (in his film debut) as the priest.

This film has been done as a drama-documentary so has a very realistic feel and look, pulling the viewer right into the action alongside the aircraft crew. It is less atmospheric than the 30s P&P films featuring Conrad Veidt and perhaps represented a more grounded style to their work before their Technicolor fantasies of the late 40s.