IMDb > Target for Tonight (1941)

Target for Tonight (1941) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   73 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for Target for Tonight on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 October 1941 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Actually filmed under fire! The RAF is its cast! The RAF filmed it!
Plot:
The planning and implementation of an RAF night raid on Germany in World War II, concentrating on a low level mission by a Wellington bomber on an oil storage facility by the Rhine. | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win more
User Comments:
One of the better war time documentary dramas more (9 total)

Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:48 min | UK:48 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Referenced in Octopussy (1983) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 8 people found the following comment useful.
One of the better war time documentary dramas, 19 April 1999
8/10
Author: Troy Whigham (troyair@aol.com) from Florida

About 45 minutes short but good, this film takes the viewer through the phases of a bombing mission, starting with the recon photos being dropped by a light bomber in the morning, retrieved by an officer at the base, developed and examined and then the mission being planned by the squadron operations officers.

From there the strategy is laid out: F for Freddy will go in first and hit the target (an oil refinery) with incendiary bombs, the others will follow in a stream about 15 minutes apart and target the fire at the refinery and hopefully destroy the surrounding structures.

The focus of the movie now turns to F for Freddy. The Wellington bomber launches, follows its designed path, hits the target and is itself hit by anti-aircraft fire. The other bombers encounter bad weather and have to turn back, while F for Freddy struggles to get home on a bad engine and with a wounded radio operator. Reaching the base, the crippled bomber finds the airstrip socked in with thick fog, so they land blind, with only oil-burning lamps to mark the runway.

The real heroes of the film are the RAF aircrew who do a pretty good job of acting (though you can tell the boys are real cut-ups and hamming it up a bit for the camera). Aviation enthusiasts and fans of WW2 will enjoy seeing the old Wellingtons flying around. Military historians will appreciate the details that go in to planning the bombing strike, right down to the fake attacks by aircraft over the Channel, designed to keep the Luftwaffe from intercepting the real strike over Germany.

Worth a look if you can find a copy of the film. I found mine in an Experimental Aircraft Association museum gift shop.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (9 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Target for Tonight (1941)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
633 Squadron The Way to the Stars The Land Girls The Dirty Dozen Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Documentary section IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.