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Despite all the making-of books and documentaries, and the myth-making surrounding the creator of Star Wars, there’s no way George Lucas could have predicted the long-lasting effects his 1977 space adventure would have on pop culture. Sure, maybe he did write outlines for additional prequels and sequels while crafting the story of the original film, but he also had a lower-budget “Star Wars II” backup plan had A New Hope bombed at the box office in the summer of ’77.

As we all know now, quite the opposite happened. The adventures of a young farm boy named Luke Skywalker caused a chain reaction that would explode into a full-blown franchise of movies, TV series, books, comics, and video games. Oh, and all those wonderful toys, lunch boxes, trading cards, bed sets, and all that other nerdy merch. It’s no exaggeration to say that with a galaxy far, far away, Lucas took over the world.

When folks think of Star Wars, their minds tend to the lightsabers or the blaster pistols: big laser sword fights or shootouts with Stormtroopers. But what is overlooked, at least by some, is just how thrilling the old school dog fights were between ace fighter pilots and daring bombers in the original Star Wars trilogy. It’s safe to Patty Jenkins is not one of those people, and she’s going to prove it with Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, the first movie all about the aerial combat in that galaxy far, far away.

Revealed late during Disney’s Investor Day Thursday evening, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is the next Star Wars movie to take to the skies, and the theaters, with a Christmas 2023 release date already penciled in. And it’s a movie that’s clearly close to Jenkins’ heart, as she revealed in the below sizzle video.

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Scottish actor John Fraser has died at the age of 89 after a battle with cancer, his family has said.

Richard E. Grant was among those to pay tribute to The Dam Busters and El Cid actor today, posting on twitter:

My friend John Fraser has died at 89. All of us, lucky enough to know him, have benefitted from his Life enhancing generosity, kindness and gift for finding humour in every situation. pic.twitter.com/DPBjWH6cYB

— Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) November 11, 2020

Mark Gatiss also posted a tribute:

A very fine actor, a blistering Bosie, an outrageous memoirist and a beautiful, beautiful man. Rip John Fraser pic.twitter.com/8z4COAAQpY

— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) November 7, 2020

Born in Glasgow in 1931, Fraser broke into film in the early 1950s, playing Flight Lieutenant John Hopgood in the 1955 British classic The Dam Busters, and appearing in the 1957 film adaptation of J. B. Priestley’s The Good Companions,

U.K. pay-tv operator Sky has ordered a slate of nine original documentaries and factual shows ahead of the launch of its new factual channels Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature on May 27.

The feature-length documentaries and series include biographies of Stephen Hawking, which had extensive access to his friends and family, and Tina Turner, with exclusive access to the star herself, alongside a look at Hollywood star Steve McQueen. Two sports documentaries include “The United Way” about Manchester United, led by soccer player Eric Cantona, and “Tyson Bruno,” a feature-length film charting the highs and lows of two of boxing’s best-known fighters.

“Lancaster” tells the story of the Lancaster Bomber, synonymous with epic film “The Dam Busters,” and the servicemen who flew them. From the world of music there is “The Go-Go’s,” which looks at the pioneering female punk band, and “Look Away,” a documentary that looks at the dark side of rock,

A quintet of British World War II classic movies are getting their turn at Blu-ray in North America with the upcoming Their Finest Hour box set.

This collection of films, with a March 17th release date and $84.95 Msrp, has previously only been available on Blu-ray across the pond.

Pre-order Their Finest Hour on Blu-ray for 33% off at Amazon.

Now you'll get to watch Went The Day Well? (1942), The Colditz Story (1955), The Dam Busters (1955), Dunkirk (1958) and Ice Cold in Alex (1958) stateside in high definition with new digital restorations.

All five films feature mono audio tracks.

Film Movement has also packed in a great selection of bonus features for added value.

The Colditz Story

Colditz Revealed documentary

Restoration Comparison

The Dam Busters

The Making of The Dam Busters

Sir Barnes Wallis documentary

617 Squadron Remembers documentary

Footage of the Bomb Tests

The Dam Busters Royal Premiere

Restoration of a Classic featurette

The Dam Busters

Paul Bradshaw Sep 24, 2018

Now that a director has been confirmed for Bond 25, we take a look back at the men who made 007.

This article comes from Den of Geek UK.

Directing a James Bond movie is pretty big deal. Bond 25 was thrown into chaos when Danny Boyle dropped out, and the news that Cary Fukunaga signed on to replace him has made headlines around the world. But it’s only recently that anyone actually cared who was behind the camera on a 007 film.

Partly because big name “auteurs” don’t often make franchise movies, partly because the Bond producers have always aimed for a kind of stylistic consistency to stop anyone putting a particularly big stamp on it, and mostly because 007 has always been more about a dozen other things that don’t have anything to do with the camerawork – most of the men (and they are all

Paul Bradshaw Sep 23, 2018

Now a director has been confirmed for Bond 25, we take a look back at the men who made 007

Directing a James Bond movie is pretty big deal. Bond 25 was thrown into chaos when Danny Boyle dropped out, and the news that Cary Fukunaga signed-on to replace him has made headlines around the world. But it’s only recently that anyone actually cared who was behind the camera on a 007 film.

See related Our pick of the best Nintendo Switch deals Our pick of the best handheld consoles (from the current generation) Our pick of the best projector screens

Partly because big name “auteurs” don’t often make action movies, partly because the Bond producers have always aimed for a kind of stylistic consistency to stop anyone putting a particularly big stamp on it, and mostly because 007 has always been more about a dozen other things

Powerhouse Indicator continues its series of exotic attractions from the house of Hammer — productions that found new ways to shock audiences than tradition-breaking gore and violence. Two are war pictures with sharply contrasting themes, and the second pair constitute a popular-cinema referendum on racist colonial attitudes.

Hammer Volume 3 Blood and Terror

Blu-ray

The Camp on Blood Island, Yesterday’s Enemy, The Stranglers of Bombay, The Terror of the Tongs

Powerhouse Indicator

1958-1960 / Color / B&W / 1:85, 2:35 widescreen / / Street Date July 30, 2018 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £44.99

Directed by Val Guest, Terence Fisher, Anthony Bushell

It’s true — unless one is a full-on Hammer true believer that considers The Brigand of Kandahar and Creatures the World Forgot to be timeless classics, delving into the lesser-known Hammer films can be a case of diminishing returns. But when the company got truly creative, either with a radical screenplay or a committed director — Terence Fisher,

In May 1943, a squadron of British Lancaster bombers (carrying specially designed bouncing mines) managed to breach several dams in Germany, damaging the industrial war-power of Hitler's "Third Reich" and providing a huge boost in morale for the Allied forces. In 1955, a film was made about the raid and the long preparations which preceded it, and it was rather good: Michael Anderson's The Dam Busters is a beloved classic. As our James Dennis said in his review of an earlier release of the film: "Now, in an age of heightened cynicism and knowing winks, there's a joy in watching such a simple yet uplifting tale of integrity and determination." To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the raids, CanalPlus has given The Dam Busters a...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]

Last month, distributor StudioCanal released a pimped-to-the-gills Blu-ray / DVD edition of Michael Anderson's 1955 war epic The Dam Busters, to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the raid described in the film. In it, you see the preparations and eventual execution of "Operation Chastise", in which Lancaster bombers with specifically designed bouncing bombs managed to breach several dams in Germany, temporarily crippling German industry. It's a dry film for most of its running time, detailing the design and testing of the bombs, people trying to convince the upper echelons about the raid's possible effectiveness and risks... But in its finale, the actual raid happens, and whoa!! I remember seeing it as a kid and being totally floored. The sequence was filmed using real Lancaster...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]

Stars: Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Ursula Jeans, Basil Sydney, Patrick Barr, Ernest Clark, Derek Farr, Charles Carson, Stanley Van Beers, Colin Tapley, Raymond Huntley, Hugh Manning | Written by R.C. Sherriff | Directed by Michael Anderson

Many of the classic World War 2 movies are based on real-life battles and events that led to the victory by the allied forces. The Dam Busters is one of the most famous of these, and now with a collector’s edition release to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the raid itself, we can look back and see how the film still holds up.

Focusing on Dr. Barnes N. Wallis (Michael Redgrave) and the men who flew the raid, The Dam Busters provides a dramatized version of just what it took to destroy the Ruhr Dams. A raid that although it seemed impossible, was managed through the creation of the bouncing bomb.

When looking at the style of Michael Anderson’s 1955 classic,

To celebrate the re-release of The Dam Busters on 4th June, we’ve been given 2 copies to give away on Blu-ray.

Regarded as a British classic, The Dam Busters is directed by Michael Anderson (Logan’s Run/Around the World in 80 Days). Based on the legendary true story of Wing Commander Guy Gibson and his squadron, The Dam Busters (1955) captures all the thrilling action and suspense of the magnificent exploits of a group of young pilots and their crews, charged with taking out the supposedly impenetrable Ruhr river dams of Germany with an ingeniously designed bouncing bomb. Starring Richard Todd as Gibson and Michael Redgrave as scientist and engineer Dr Barnes Wallis, the film also immortalised composer’s Eric Coates’s masterpiece: The Dam Busters March.

Please note: This competition is open to UK residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Small Print

Open to UK residents only The competition

Classic British film, The Dam Busters will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and Est and Collector’s Edition via StudioCanal’s Vintage Classics label from June 4th and to celebrate we’ve got two copies on Blu-ray to giveaway!

Directed by Michael Anderson, The Dam Busters tells the incredible true story of Commander Guy Gibson (Richard Todd) and his squadron, charged with taking out the supposedly impenetrable Ruhr river dams of Germany with the ingeniously designed bouncing bomb, during the Second World War.

Both DVD and Blu-ray versions contain a host of extras including an exclusive ‘Making of The Dam Busters’ documentary. The Collector’s Edition will include the feature in 1.37 and 1.75 aspect ratios, a 64-page booklet, a rare aerial photographic print of the Möhne Dam following the raid (signed by the surviving members of the original 617 Squadron), an Raf Chastise Lancaster Bombers poster and a set of 5 art cards.

To celebrate the 4K restoration re-release of The Dam Busters in cinemas for one night only on May 17, we’re giving 3 of you the chance to win a goody bag containing three classic war films and a stunning poster.

Regarded as a British classic, The Dam Busters is directed by Michael Anderson (Logan’s Run/Around the World in 80 Days). Based on the legendary true story of Wing Commander Guy Gibson and his squadron, The Dam Busters (1955) captures all the thrilling action and suspense of the magnificent exploits of a group of young pilots and their crews, charged with taking out the supposedly impenetrable Ruhr river dams of Germany with an ingeniously designed bouncing bomb. Starring Richard Todd as Gibson and Michael Redgrave as scientist and engineer Dr Barnes Wallis, the film also immortalised composer’s Eric Coates’s masterpiece: The Dam Busters March.

On the May 17, TV historian

(Welcome to The Movies That Made Star Wars, a series where we explore the films that inspired George Lucas’ iconic universe. In this edition: the British World War II drama The Dam Busters) When George Lucas set out to make the original Star Wars film, there were things he wanted to do on film with […]

The post How the World War II Drama ‘The Dam Busters’ Influenced the Space Battles of ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ appeared first on /Film.

Restored 4K version of war epic to be presented at Royal Albert Hall and simulcast into 400 theatres on May 17.

Michael Anderson, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker who directed Dam Busters, Around The World In 80 Days, and Logan’s Run, died peacefully at his home on the Sunshine Coast of Canada from heart disease on April 25. He was 98.

The London-born filmmaker is best known for The Dam Busters, which the British Film Institute named one of the best British films of the 20th century; sci fi classic Logan’s Run; and Around The World In 80 Days, which was nominated for eight Oscars

Anderson (left) on the set of Around the World in 80 Days with producer Michael Todd and Frank Sinatra, who filmed a cameo appearance.

Michael Anderson, the Oscar-nominated British film director, has died at age 98. Anderson directed producer Michael Todd's star-packed 1956 screen adaptation of Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days". The film won the Best Picture Oscar and became a boxoffice blockbuster, earning Anderson a Best Director nomination in the process. The previous year, Anderson had directed "The Dam Busters", which became the top-grossing British film of the year. Anderson had the ability to comfortably move between genres with equal skill. Among his other credits: "The Wreck of the Mary Deare", "Shake Hands with the Devil", the 1958 film version of Orwell's "1984", "All the Fine Young Cannibals" (the title of which inspired the name of a short-lived 1980s rock group), "Operation Crossbow", "The Quiller Memorandum", "The Shoes of the Fisherman

Michael Anderson, the British director who was nominated for an Academy Award for his direction on “Around the World in 80 Days,” died in Vancouver Wednesday. He was 98.

Anderson’s career began in the ’40s as an assistant director before he joined the Royal Signal Corps during the war. After Anderson was discharged, he signed a contract with Associated British Picture Corporation, for whom he directed five films.

The third film, 1955’s “The Dam Busters,” starring Richard Todd, which was the biggest film of the year for Britain at the box office. The film will be presented at the Royal Albert Hall in London and simulcast into 400 theatres throughout the UK on May 17 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Royal Air Force’s most daring operation of World War II.

Anderson was asked to direct “Around the World in 80 Days” after the original director John Farrow had a falling out with producer Mike Todd.

Director Michael Anderson, who was Oscar-nominated for his role in the epic film Around The World in 80 Days and later was behind the cameras for the sci-fi classic Logan’s Run, has died. He was 98 and passed away Wednesday in Vancouver of unspecified causes.

Anderson had a long film career, directing such war movies as The Dam Busters, The Yangtse Incident, Operation Crossbow, and also such staples as The Wreck of the Mary Deare, The Quiller Memorandum, Chase a Crooked Shadow, and The Shoes of the Fisherman.

But the defining film of his career was Around the World In 80 Days, a three-hour film based on the Jules Verne adventure novel. The film was as much about logistics as it was the narrative, setting records for camera set-ups, sets, costumes, participants and locations.

The storyline has Phileas Fogg (David Niven) and his valet, Passepartout (Cantinflas), as they try to win

Michael Anderson, the British filmmaker who directed the 1956 Oscar Best Picture winner “Around the World in 80 Days,” died of heart disease in Canada on April 25, according to a spokesperson for the family. He was 98.

In a career that spanned decades, Anderson also won acclaim for the 1955 WWII film “The Dam Busters,” as well as 1976’s influential sci-fi movie “Logan’s Run,” about a dystopian future in which everyone is killed off when they reach the age of 30.

The son of an actor, Anderson landed small acting roles in his teens, and then worked as an office boy and later assistant director at London’s Elstree Studios on films like “Pygmalion” and Noel Coward’s “In Which We Serve,” the Times of London reported.

Also Read: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2018 (Photos)

He served in the Royal Signals Corps in WWII, then returned to the British film industry. “The Dam Busters,” starring Michael Redgrave and Richard Todd as British airmen who help devise an effective system of aerial bombing, won critical raves for its accuracy — and earned an Oscar nomination for special effects.

The success of “The Dam Busters” led Anderson to Hollywood — and the epic scale of “Around the World in 80 Days,” with its star-studded cast, 110 locations and 68,000 extras. The film got middling reviews but was a giant hit, winning five Oscars. (Anderson himself lost to George Stevens for “Giant.”)

Also Read: Ryan Gosling to 'Logan's Run,' Dominic Cooper biting into 'Vampire Hunter'

He followed that success with films like 1965’s “Operation Crossbow,” 1966’s “The Quiller Memorandum” and 1968’s “The Shoes of the Fishermen.”

In the ’70s, Anderson drifted from action thrillers into science fiction with the 1976 hit “Logan’s Run,” starring Michael York. Four years later, he directed Rock Hudson in a TV miniseries adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles.”

Read original story Michael Anderson, ‘Logan’s Run’ and ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ Director, Dies at 98 At TheWrap