The Big Lift (1950)Experiences of two Air Force sergeants during the 1948 Berlin Airlift. Director:George SeatonWriter:George Seaton |
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The Big Lift (1950)Experiences of two Air Force sergeants during the 1948 Berlin Airlift. Director:George SeatonWriter:George Seaton |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Montgomery Clift | ... |
Sgt. 1st Class Danny MacCullough
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| Paul Douglas | ... |
MSgt. Henry 'Hank' Kowalski
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Cornell Borchers | ... |
Frederica Burkhardt
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Bruni Löbel | ... |
Gerda
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O.E. Hasse | ... |
Stieber
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Dante V. Morel | ... |
Himself
(as Capt. Dante V. Morel)
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John R. Mason | ... |
Himself
(as Capt. John R. Mason)
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Gail R. Plush | ... |
Himself
(as Capt. Gail R. Plush)
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Mack Blevins | ... |
Himself
(as Capt. Mack Blevins)
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William A. Stewart | ... |
Himself
(as Capt. William A. Stewart)
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Alfred L. Freiburger | ... |
Himself
(as 1st Lt. Alfred L. Freiburger)
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Gerald Arons | ... |
Himself
(as 1st Lt. Gerald Arons)
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James Wilson | ... |
Himself
(as 1st Lt. James Wilson)
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Richard A. Kellogg | ... |
Himself
(as 1st Lt. Richard A. Kellogg)
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Roy R. Steele | ... |
Himself
(as 1st Lt. Roy R. Steele)
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In 1948, the Soviet Union blockades the Allied sectors of Berlin to bring the entire city under their control. A semi-documentary about the resulting Berlin Airlift gives way to stories of two fictitious U.S. Air Force participants: Sgt. Hank Kowalski, whose hatred of Germans proves resistant to change, and Sgt. Danny McCullough, whose pursuit of an attractive German war widow gives him a crash course in the seamy side of occupied Berlin. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
The shooting of the film on location in Germany is what makes the whole film work and memorable. The story in itself is not really that great, but probably it grasps our attention because of the surroundings: the ruins, the gloomy statues and the simple and down-to-earth life of the common people. Had it been a Hollywood stage production, there wouldn't have been much to it, but once the movie enters Berlin it gets to another level. The same goes for the acting. Acting among the local population with only two brought-in American actors in the cast ( the main characters ) must have been an inspiration.