The Battle of Britain (2010) (TV)

Director:

Ashley Gething

Release Date:

19 September 2010 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary | History | War

Cast

Winston Churchill	...	Himself (archive footage)
Hermann Göring	...	Himself (archive footage)
Adolf Hitler	...	Himself (archive footage)
Colin McGregor	...	Himself
Ewan McGregor	...	Himself
Cliff Spink	...	Flight Instructor

Directed by
Ashley Gething

Produced by
Nick Catliff	....	executive producer
Claire Forsyth	....	producer
Jane Handa	....	assistant producer
Nell Keay	....	assistant producer
Ben Taylor	....	assistant producer
Maxine Watson	....	executive producer: BBC

Original Music by
Miguel d'Oliveira

Film Editing by
Safi Ferrah
Dan Glendenning
Bernard Lyall

Production Management
Shahana Meer	....	director of production
Pam Roberts	....	production manager

Sound Department
Grant Covacic	....	sound
Rob Craig	....	sound
George Foulgham	....	dubbing mixer
Nicholas Ashe	....	assistant dubbing mixer (uncredited)
Claire Ellis	....	dialogue editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Eddie Gachegua	....	graphics
Sue Giovanni	....	colourist

Camera and Electrical Department
Patrick Acum	....	camera
Andy R. Annable	....	aerial photography
Hugh Miller	....	marine photography
Peter Thorn	....	camera

Other crew
Peter Scott	....	archive researcher

Production Companies

• Lion Television Scotland
• Manray Media

Distributors

• Lion Television (2010) (worldwide) (all media)

Runtime:

UK:90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Kent, England, UK

Company:

Lion Television Scotland

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the documentary Douglas Bader is given credit for being in charge of 12th fighter group during the Battle of Britain and devising the "Big Wing" formation. The 12th fighter group was commanded by air vice marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory who was also the father of the "Big Wing" - not Bader, who never rose above the rank of group captain and fought the battle as a pilot. Bader was a supporter of the "Big Wing" and a friend of air vice marshal Leigh-Mallory's though.

An entertaining journey of discovery.

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Colin and Ewan McGreggor explore the history of the Battle of Britain.

There's been many documentaries on the Battle of Britain, but this one is a refreshing new perspective. Yes, the history is covered and quite rightly too, but as a discovery Colin and Ewan meet some of the few pilots who are still with us; the few of the few. They visit some of the key places where decisions were made. Talk with experts about the Battle of Britain, revealing how the RAF were able to rebuild their numbers after having been almost decimated.

Some of the aircraft from the Battle of Britain Flight are shown, with the modern pilots talking over the aircraft; both the Hurricane and Spitfire. Further Colin, an ex-RAF Tornado pilot, is trained to fly a Spitfire.

Watching the brothers not only present, but their involvement in the learning process, separates this documentary. Compelling viewing.