Decision Against Time
(1957)
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Decision Against Time
(1957)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jack Hawkins | ... |
John Mitchell
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Elizabeth Sellars | ... |
Mary Mitchell
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Jeremy Bodkin | ... |
Nicholas Mitchell
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Gerard Lohan | ... | |
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Walter Fitzgerald | ... |
Reginald Conway
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John Stratton | ... |
Peter Hook
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Eddie Byrne | ... |
Ashmore
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Victor Maddern | ... |
Joe Biggs
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| Lionel Jeffries | ... |
Keith
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| Donald Pleasence | ... |
Crabtree
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Catherine Lacey | ... |
Mary's Mother
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Megs Jenkins | ... |
Mrs. Snowden
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Ernest Clark | ... |
Maine
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Raymond Francis | ... |
Jenkins
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Russell Waters | ... |
Sim
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The efforts of test pilot John Mitchell to make a better life for his wife Mary and their two children seem doomed to failure and he blames himself. At the Conway Aero-Manufacturing Company of Wolverhampton, Mitchell is to take the company's new rocket-propulsion transport plane up for tests, fully loaded and carrying two important passengers - Ministry official Crabtree and buyer's representative Ashmore. Mitchell learns from his boss, Reg Conway, that if Ashmore does not recommend the plane, the company will be out of business and Mitchell out of a job, since the plane is not even insured as the firm's entire capital is tied up in the plane. Aloft, an engine catches fire and the passengers and other crew bail out, but Mitchell refuses to obey orders to jettison the plane in the Irish Sea. Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
I agree with all the user comments above and enjoyed this film immensely.It's amazing I have never seen it before, it certainly is not an any DVD I have seen.It kept my attention for the full 80 minutes and I did not mind the filming in B&W as it gave the film a stark reality, missing in many 21st century films with their CGI/Special effects.
Britain had developed quite a lead internationally in aero engine design in the mid-late 1950s, and the air industry's export earnings were vital to the country's economy to help repay the massive overhang of WWII debts not finally repaid until 1996.The film mentioned a sobering statistic one out of three test pilots lost their lives flying new aircraft being produced at this time.This is another Jack Hawkins Ealing film classic is his portrayal of captain Ericcson in "The Cruel Sea" (1952).Look out for John Stratton who also appeared in the latter film and who this time plays the number two test pilot.