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Battle of Britain

  • 19691969
  • K-12K-12
  • 2h 12m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
23K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
7,286
265
Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, Trevor Howard, Harry Andrews, Curd Jürgens, Ian McShane, Kenneth More, Nigel Patrick, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Patrick Wymark, and Susannah York in Battle of Britain (1969)
In 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over the English Channel as a prelude to a possible Axis invasion of the U.K.
Play trailer3:41
1 Video
99+ Photos
ActionDramaHistory

In 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over the English Channel as a prelude to a possible Axis invasion of the ... Read allIn 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over the English Channel as a prelude to a possible Axis invasion of the U.K.In 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over the English Channel as a prelude to a possible Axis invasion of the U.K.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
23K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
7,286
265
  • Director
    • Guy Hamilton
  • Writers
    • James Kennaway(screenplay)
    • Wilfred Greatorex(screenplay)
    • Derek Dempster(book "The Narrow Margin")
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Trevor Howard
    • Harry Andrews
Top credits
  • Director
    • Guy Hamilton
  • Writers
    • James Kennaway(screenplay)
    • Wilfred Greatorex(screenplay)
    • Derek Dempster(book "The Narrow Margin")
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Trevor Howard
    • Harry Andrews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 175User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:41
    Trailer

    Photos267

    Christopher Plummer at an event for Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Robert Shaw in Battle of Britain (1969)
    Basil Dignam and Myles Hoyle in Battle of Britain (1969)
    Laurence Olivier and Michael Redgrave in Battle of Britain (1969)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Caine
    Michael Caine
    • Squadron Leader Canfield
    Trevor Howard
    Trevor Howard
    • Air Vice Marshal Keith Park
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • Senior Civil Servant
    Curd Jürgens
    Curd Jürgens
    • Baron von Richter
    • (as Curt Jurgens)
    Ian McShane
    Ian McShane
    • Sgt. Pilot Andy
    Kenneth More
    Kenneth More
    • Group Capt. Baker
    Laurence Olivier
    Laurence Olivier
    • Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding
    Nigel Patrick
    Nigel Patrick
    • Group Capt. Hope
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Squadron Leader Colin Harvey
    Michael Redgrave
    Michael Redgrave
    • Air Vice Marshal Evill
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Sir David Kelly - British Minister to Switzerland
    Robert Shaw
    Robert Shaw
    • Squadron Leader Skipper
    Patrick Wymark
    Patrick Wymark
    • Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory
    Susannah York
    Susannah York
    • Section Officer Maggie Harvey
    Michael Bates
    Michael Bates
    • Warrant Officer Warwick
    Robert Flemyng
    Robert Flemyng
    • Wing Cmdr. Willoughby
    Isla Blair
    Isla Blair
    • Mrs. Andy
    Barry Foster
    Barry Foster
    • Squadron Leader Edwards
    • Director
      • Guy Hamilton
    • Writers
      • James Kennaway(screenplay)
      • Wilfred Greatorex(screenplay)
      • Derek Dempster(book "The Narrow Margin")
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sir Michael Caine initially thought he was too young to play a squadron leader. However, veterans of the battle told him he was actually too old for the part.
    • Goofs
      When ACM Dowding and the Air Minister are discussing relative aircraft numbers, the minister states, "We have radar". The term radar was not used in Britain in 1940. The term RDF was used. The term radar was invented by the US Navy in 1940 and held as secret until later in the war.
    • Quotes

      [Narration]

      Winston Churchill: Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

    • Alternate versions
      Some TV prints of the film retain the Transamerica/UA production logo, which is now frequently edited out of other UA films of that period.
    • Connections
      Edited into Midwayn taistelu (1976)
    • Soundtracks
      Battle in the Air
      Composed by William Walton (as Sir William Walton O.M.)

      Conducted by Malcolm Arnold

    User reviews175

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A Classic!!!
    The Battle of Britain is a classic movie about one of the key battles of World War 2. It stands up there with the epics The Longest Day, Tora,Tora, Tora and a Bridge Too Far. The all-star cast has well known and lesser known English, Canadian, German and others actors who play their roles well. The movie does a good job of portaying both sides of the battle. The special effects and the air battles hold up well after well over 30 years. The criticisms that people have to me are quite unfair. As for charcter development, the movie is about the battle, much like the Longest Day was and there was no time to develop that part of the movie because it focused on the entirety of the battle. Also this is not like Cross of Iron that someone compared it to. Cross of Iron was a fictious story, while this is done in semi-docudrama style.It is an unfair comparison. The best comparison would be with the three previously listed movies. I liked that fact that some big stars characters did get hurt or died just like many of the better pilots did in the the battle and the war. The movie gives an excellent overview of the battle, much like the other movies listed here. I like the fact about the bit of English snobbery concerning the foreign pilots that they were training even if some were as good or better than they were.This is a four star war movie obout Britains Finest Hour. Where if it wasn't for the Brits holding off the German's, the Allies would not have been able to launch D-Day against the German's. The movie showed bravery and courage from both sides men and pilots. It is a great portrayal of young men in battle as knights of the early war skies. Rent it or buy it, because this is a classic.
    helpful•94
    18
    • sawyertom
    • Apr 2, 2003

    FAQ3

    • Chicago Opening Happened When?
    • How did Britain prevail over the Germans during the battle?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 10, 1969 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Polish
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Slaget om England
    • Filming locations
      • RAF Hawkinge, Hawkinge, Kent, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Spitfire Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $17,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours 12 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, Trevor Howard, Harry Andrews, Curd Jürgens, Ian McShane, Kenneth More, Nigel Patrick, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Patrick Wymark, and Susannah York in Battle of Britain (1969)
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