IMDb > Battle of Britain (1969)
Battle of Britain
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Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   5,452 votes
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Director:
Writers:
James Kennaway (screenplay) and
Wilfred Greatorex (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Battle of Britain on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 October 1969 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
In 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle vs. the Nazi Germany Air Force for control of British air space to prevent a Nazi invasion of Britain. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. more
User Comments:
What this film is really about, and some trivia. more (114 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Battle of Britain (USA) (DVD title)
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Runtime:
133 min | UK:151 min (original version)
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Over 60% of RAF Fighter Command aircraft during the Battle of Britain were Hawker Hurricanes. Due to the lack of Hurricanes in flying condition when the movie was filmed, the bulk of the air-to-air combat scenes use the more famous (and better fighter) Supermarine Spitfire. During the actual battle, whenever possible squadrons flying the Spitfire would engage the German fighters escorting bomber formations while the lower-performance (but better gun platform) Hurricanes engaged the bombers. Shooting down German bombers was the critical key since the bombers were attacking RAF airfields in the first phase of the battle and cities after the Luftwaffe changed target priorities. The film accurately depicts the British need (and desire) to destroy bombers to protect their air defense infrastructure and later protect civilian targets. For similar reasons (the lack of working aircraft of the right type) Spitfires and Hurricanes are shown flying together in tactical formations whereas in reality RAF squadrons flew one or the other type of fighter exclusively. Due to different performance characteristics, the two aircraft would not fly and fight together. more
Goofs:
Miscellaneous: When Hitler is giving the speech about the bombing of London in retaliation of that of Berlin, he is incorrectly translated. He talks about 'kilograms' of bombs being dropped, the translation gives only 'number of bombs' and not the correct number at that. more
Quotes:
Tank crewman: [after watching a Hurricane perform a victory roll] Who's he trying to kid! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV) more

FAQ

'Never was so much owed by so many to so few? Does this film capture the spirit of the RAF in 1940
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37 out of 44 people found the following comment useful.
What this film is really about, and some trivia., 22 May 2004
Author: fg52home from Bury, Lancashire

This film was an attempt to deal with the crucial events of 1940, when Britain might have been invaded and oppressed by Nazi Germany. Had this succeeded then subsequent history might well have been very different, a Europe subjugated by the dark evil of that regime.

As a straight historical account this film fails rather badly. Most of the characters are artificial, created for the Stars and stars involved. Dowding and Park, historically absolutely crucial, never develop properly - a pity. Goering is cartoonised, but at least reflects his total failure to conduct a strategic assault on the UK.

The flying sequences are, mostly, superb. It was a huge achievement to bring together the aircraft used. As an enthusiast I can pick massive holes in those used. None of the 'German' aircraft have correct engines - they were post-war Spanish Air Force stand ins. And that's before we start on the late war mark Spitfires etc. But who cares? The point is the conflict in the air. It is not close enough to 'real' aerial combat - 10 seconds of terror in 60 mins of boredom. But that is the nature of the cinema medium.

The distraction of Suzanne York (BTW she's not trying to get divorced!) in full 40's u/wear was very exciting when I was 16. At 52 I suppose it still gives me the odd moment!

And look for the hanger being 'bombed' behind Suzanne York and Kenneth More, it really WAS blown up at Duxford - boy, were they cross!

The revisionist historians like to claim that the (actual) Battle of Britain was not that important. That the Germans couldn't have crossed the Channel anyway because of the Royal Navy (probably, but not necessarily so. With air supremacy JU87s would have massacred RN vessels). That the Germans already had eyes on Russia and really wanted to ignore GB as a sideline, possible and a fatal mistake. That the Germans lost the battle, rather than the RAF won it (no statistical basis for this, the Luftwaffe smashed itself against the RAF).

But the Battle WAS fought, and won by the RAF.

Which is why I believe this film is worth a viewing.

Especially the Walton scored sequence, where the Luftwaffe's bombers are hacked down by the Hurricanes and Spitfires of the RAF. An impressively moving sequence of the horror of war in the air. To which the music adds enormously.

I place this film well ahead of the 1990's Memphis Belle travesty in depicting the reality of war. It is certainly on a par with 12 O'Clock High.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Battle of Britain (1969)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Which Language, German Or Russian, babettegillette
A great Movie-with one of the best opening credits scenes in film. UCFfilmcritic
Cast for remake rsnxv
How can this be 6.8/10 ?? roman_briquet
Location for London Blitz Welch57
True or an urban myth? Hungerhill
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