Breaking the Sound Barrier
(1952)
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Breaking the Sound Barrier
(1952)
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| Cast overview: | |||
| Ralph Richardson | ... |
John Ridgefield
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Ann Todd | ... |
Susan Garthwaite
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Nigel Patrick | ... |
Tony Garthwaite
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John Justin | ... |
Philip Peel
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| Dinah Sheridan | ... |
Jess Peel
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Joseph Tomelty | ... |
Will Sparks
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| Denholm Elliott | ... |
Christopher Ridgefield
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Jack Allen | ... |
Windy Williams
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Ralph Michael | ... |
Fletcher
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Tony successful fighter pilot during World War II marries into the family of a wealthy oil magnate who also designs airplanes. The movie traces the company's attempt to break the sound barrier, as well as tensions between father and daughter. Lots of footage of early 50s jet aviation in Great Britain as well as shots of the Comet airliner, world's first jet passenger plane. Written by Henry Brugsch <henry@g0gku.demon.co.uk>
This is an outstanding film about the human cost of progress and obsession. Richardson is great as the aviation mogul willing to pay the necessary price for reaching new realms and new worlds. Historically and technically, the film is so out in left field as to be almost laughable (the plot point about control reversal is apparently the result of a writer hearing a valid aeronautical term and misunderstanding it completely) but in the end, the issues raised and the fine performances make Sound Barrier a winner. The aerial photography is outstanding, and there is one beautifully composed shot from below the nose of the Comet airliner that perfectly emphasizes the sleek lines of that most beautiful jet.