IMDb > The Sound Barrier (1952)

The Sound Barrier (1952) More at IMDbPro »


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Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   397 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Terence Rattigan (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Breaking the Sound Barrier on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 December 1952 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Jet Packed Excitement! Jet Packed Danger! Jet Packed Romance! The Greatest Adventure Story of Our Time! more
Plot:
Fictionalized story of British aerospace engineers solving the problem of supersonic flight. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 7 wins & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Excellent film, technically ludicrous more (12 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Ralph Richardson ... John Ridgefield
Ann Todd ... Susan Garthwaite
Nigel Patrick ... Tony Garthwaite
John Justin ... Philip Peel

Dinah Sheridan ... Jess Peel
Joseph Tomelty ... Will Sparks
Denholm Elliott ... Christopher Ridgefield
Jack Allen ... Windy Williams
Ralph Michael ... Fletcher
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Breaking Through the Sound Barrier (USA) (promotional title)
Breaking the Sound Barrier (USA)
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Runtime:
UK:118 min | USA:109 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
UK:U (original rating) | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
With this film, Ralph Richardson became the first actor to win the New York Film Critics Award for Best Actor who didn't also go on to win an Oscar nomination. more

FAQ

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11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
Excellent film, technically ludicrous, 7 November 2003
Author: Jim Atkins from Twentynine Palms, CA

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.

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Recommendations

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Related Links

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