Angels One Five (1952)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

George More O'Ferrall

Writers:

Pelham Groom (story)
Derek N. Twist (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 April 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

'Septic' Baird has just joined a front line RAF squadron at the height of the Battle of Britain. This...

Plot Keywords:

Airfield | WWII | Aviation | Royal Air Force | Number In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Jack Hawkins	...	Group Captain 'Tiger' Small
Michael Denison	...	Squadron Leader Peter Moon
Dulcie Gray	...	Nadine Clinton
John Gregson	...	Pilot Officer 'Septic' Baird
Cyril Raymond	...	Squadron Leader Barry Clinton
Veronica Hurst	...	Betty Carfax
Harold Goodwin	...	A.C. 2 Wailes
Norman Pierce	...	'Bonzo'
Geoffrey Keen	...	Company Sergeant Major
Harry Locke	...	Look Out
Philip Stainton	...	Police Constable
Vida Hope	...	W.A.A.F.
Amy Veness	...	Aunt Tabitha
Ronald Adam	...	Group Controller
Humphrey Lestocq	...	Flight Lieutenant 'Batchy' Salter

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:15 | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Associated British Picture Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Templar Film Studios

Trivia:

The word "angels" in the title was Second World War RAF slang for altitude: "angels one five" refers to an altitude of 15,000 feet.

Quotes:

Group Captain 'Tiger' Small: Cribs won't help us! Suppose I'm in an aircraft that goes into a spin? Christmas daisies, where's my crib? And before I can find the right page, there's St. Peter, tap-tapping on my fuselage demanding my soul of me! Think that one over!

Movie Connections:

Featured in War Stories (2006) (TV)

Definitions

I'm watching this right after the terrorist attacks on London. Immediately, the Brits snapped back to this period, the so-called Battle of Britain where a few outnumbered airmen held off the bad guys. They've since forgotten that the bad guys were the Germans (not the Nazis), but they'll never, ever forget the unifying experience of the battle.

Since Hitler discovered the phenomenon, nations have defined themselves through film.

This movie is one of the best examples. Sure, there's some military stuff here... and there's war on. But this centers on the nature of the people and there's not much aerial battle that we see. The point is to trot out all the personalities and characteristics that define what it means to be British.

We've got pluck, we've got steadfastness, we've got earnestness and innocence, some kindly but firm officers who tie the whole thing together and then there's the rowdy humor.

Thin stuff when you think of it, but enough to build a nation.

Ted's Evaluation: 2 of 3 -- Has some interesting elements