Reach for the Sky (1956)

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

Paul Brickhill (book)
Lewis Gilbert (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 October 1956 (Denmark)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | War

Tagline:

10,000,000 Americans Have Thrilled to This Stirring Story in Reader's Digest!

Plot:

The true story of airman Douglas Bader who overcame the loss of both legs in a 1931 flying accident...

Plot Keywords:

Pilot | Hero | Royal Air Force | Prisoner Of War | Aviation

Awards:

Won BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Kenneth More	...	Douglas Bader
Muriel Pavlow	...	Thelma Bader
Lyndon Brook	...	Johnny Sanderson
Lee Patterson	...	Turner
Alexander Knox	...	Mr. Joyce
Dorothy Alison	...	Nurse Brace
Michael Warre	...	Harry Day
Sydney Tafler	...	Robert Desoutter
Howard Marion-Crawford	...	'Woody' Woodhall (as Howard Marion Crawford)
Jack Watling	...	Peel
Nigel Green	...	Streatfield
Anne Leon	...	Sister Thornhill
Charles Carson	...	Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding
Ronald Adam	...	Air Vice-Marshal Leigh-Mallory
Walter Hudd	...	Air Vice-Marshal Halahan

Runtime:

135 min | USA:123 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:U (original rating) | UK:U (video rating) | Australia:G | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Bagshot, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

Angel Productions

Trivia:

The nursing cap and badge worn by Anne Leon was loaned by the real life Matron Thornhill from Brompton Hospital. As portrayed in the film, the then Sister Thornhill nursed Bader in the critical weeks following his accident. Miss Thornhill visited the set during the filming of the hospital scenes, casting a critical eye over the hospital procedures.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the opening scene, raw recruits at Cranwell carry out a short but very complicated drill maneuver in civilian dress. In reality they would have known nothing on that first day.

Quotes:

Bader: [Spotting the Base Commander] I was just on my way to find you, Sir. We've been unable to get replacement spares and tools, so I've sent this signal of to Group. '242 Squadron fully operational as regards pilots, but non-operational, repeat, non-operational as regards equipment'
Bader's 242 Squadron Base Commander: [Taking the signal form from Bader and reading it] You know, you just can't do this!
Bader: Well, I've done it, Sir.
Bader's 242 Squadron Base Commander: There'll be an awful row at Group.
Bader: There'll be an awful row at Fighter Command. I sent them a copy too!
Bader's 242 Squadron Base Commander: Well, I can see your squadron will either be getting new equipment or a new C.O. I wouldn't like to bet on which!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Profile of 'A Town Like Alice' (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

Reach for the Sky

The Right Stuff!

It's always encouraging to see the indomitable human spirit gain control against all odds. How easy it would have been for pilot Douglas Bader, played by Kenneth More here, to simply give in to circumstances, drop out of active life, and lead a limited existence all because of a dreadful plane accident in which he lost both legs. But he didn't choose to go that way, and with the advent of WW2 he managed to resume his active pilot career despite the fact of having artificial legs, and had more than a few adventures which he survived. I like this movie for its positive grasp of life and living, and shows that you can create your world if you have singleminded determination. Also of interest were the real life film footage of aerial manoeuvrings used from the war. I'd recommend this war movie any time.