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WarHistoryAction

Battle of Britain

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In 1940, the Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle against the might of the Luftwaffe for control of the skies over Britain, thus preventing the Nazi invasion of Britain.

Release Date : 1969-09-15

Language :GermanFrenchPolishEnglish

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Spitfire ProductionsUnited Artists

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles : The Battle of Britain

Cast

Harry Andrews

Character Name : Senior Civil Servant

Original Name : Harry Andrews

Gender : Male

Michael Caine

Character Name : Squadron Leader Canfield

Original Name : Michael Caine

Gender : Male

Trevor Howard

Character Name : Air Vice Marshal Keith Park

Original Name : Trevor Howard

Gender : Male

Curd Jürgens

Character Name : Baron von Richter

Original Name : Curd Jürgens

Gender : Male

Ian McShane

Character Name : Sgt. Pilot Andy

Original Name : Ian McShane

Gender : Male

Kenneth More

Character Name : Group Capt. Baker

Original Name : Kenneth More

Gender : Male

Laurence Olivier

Character Name : Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding

Original Name : Laurence Olivier

Gender : Male

Nigel Patrick

Character Name : Group Capt. Hope

Original Name : Nigel Patrick

Gender : Male

Christopher Plummer

Character Name : Squadron Leader Colin Harvey

Original Name : Christopher Plummer

Gender : Male

Michael Redgrave

Character Name : Air Vice Marshal Evill

Original Name : Michael Redgrave

Gender : Male

Ralph Richardson

Character Name : Sir David Kelly - British Minister to Switzerland

Original Name : Ralph Richardson

Gender : Male

Robert Shaw

Character Name : Squadron Leader Skipper

Original Name : Robert Shaw

Gender : Male

Patrick Wymark

Character Name : Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory

Original Name : Patrick Wymark

Gender : Male

Susannah York

Character Name : Section Officer Maggie Harvey

Original Name : Susannah York

Gender : Female

Michael Bates

Character Name : Warrant Officer Warwick

Original Name : Michael Bates

Gender : Male

Robert Flemyng

Character Name : Wing Cmdr. Willoughby

Original Name : Robert Flemyng

Gender : Male

Isla Blair

Character Name : Mrs. Andy

Original Name : Isla Blair

Gender : Female

Barry Foster

Character Name : Sqd. Leader Edwards

Original Name : Barry Foster

Gender : Male

John Baskcomb

Character Name : Farmer

Original Name : John Baskcomb

Gender : Male

Edward Fox

Character Name : Pilot Officer Archie

Original Name : Edward Fox

Gender : Male

Tom Chatto

Character Name : Willoughby's Assistant Controller

Original Name : Tom Chatto

Gender : Male

W.G. Foxley

Character Name : Squadron Leader Evans

Original Name : W.G. Foxley

Gender : Male

James Cosmo

Character Name : Jamie

Original Name : James Cosmo

Gender : Male

David Griffin

Character Name : Sgt. Pilot Chris

Original Name : David Griffin

Gender : Male

Jack Gwillim

Character Name : Senior Air Staff Officer

Original Name : Jack Gwillim

Gender : Male

André Maranne

Character Name : French NCO

Original Name : André Maranne

Gender : Male

Myles Hoyle

Character Name : Peter

Original Name : Myles Hoyle

Gender : Male

Anthony Nicholls

Character Name : Minister

Original Name : Anthony Nicholls

Gender : Male

Duncan Lamont

Character Name : Flight Sgt. Arthur

Original Name : Duncan Lamont

Gender : Male

Nicholas Pennell

Character Name : Simon

Original Name : Nicholas Pennell

Gender : Male

Sarah Lawson

Character Name : Skipper's Wife

Original Name : Sarah Lawson

Gender : Female

Andrzej Scibor

Character Name : Ox

Original Name : Andrzej Scibor

Gender : Male

Mark Malicz

Character Name : Pasco

Original Name : Mark Malicz

Gender : Male

Jean Wladon

Character Name : Jean Jacques

Original Name : Jean Wladon

Gender : Male

Wilfried von Aacken

Character Name : Gen. Osterkamp

Original Name : Wilfried von Aacken

Gender : Male

Reinhard Horras

Character Name : Bruno

Original Name : Reinhard Horras

Gender : Male

Karl-Otto Alberty

Character Name : General Jeschonnek - Luftwaffe Chief of Staff

Original Name : Karl-Otto Alberty

Gender : Male

Helmut Kircher

Character Name : Boehm

Original Name : Helmut Kircher

Gender : Male

Alexander Allerson

Character Name : Maj. Brandt

Original Name : Alexander Allerson

Gender : Male

Paul Neuhaus

Character Name : Maj. Föhn

Original Name : Paul Neuhaus

Gender : Male

Dietrich Frauboes

Character Name : Field Marshal Milch (Inspector General, Luftwaffe)

Original Name : Dietrich Frauboes

Gender : Male

Malte Petzel

Character Name : Col. Beppo Schmidt (Luftwaffe Intelligence)

Original Name : Malte Petzel

Gender : Male

Alf Jungermann

Character Name : Brandt's Navigator

Original Name : Alf Jungermann

Gender : Male

Manfred Reddemann

Character Name : Maj. Falke

Original Name : Manfred Reddemann

Gender : Male

Peter Hager

Character Name : Field Marshal Albert Kesselring

Original Name : Peter Hager

Gender : Male

Hein Riess

Character Name : Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring

Original Name : Hein Riess

Gender : Male

Wolf Harnisch

Character Name : Gen. Fink

Original Name : Wolf Harnisch

Gender : Male

Rolf Stiefel

Character Name : Adolf Hitler

Original Name : Rolf Stiefel

Gender : Male

Nikki Van der Zyl

Character Name : Dubbing (voice)

Original Name : Nikki Van der Zyl

Gender : Female

Tony Allen

Character Name : NCO in Plotting Room (uncredited)

Original Name : Tony Allen

Gender : Male

Paul Angelis

Character Name : Albert (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Angelis

Gender : Male

Graham Armitage

Character Name : Radar Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Graham Armitage

Gender : Male

Hilda Barry

Character Name : Old Lady (uncredited)

Original Name : Hilda Barry

Gender : Female

Roy Beck

Character Name : French Soldier / RAF Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : Roy Beck

Gender : Male

Kate Binchy

Character Name : Grace (uncredited)

Original Name : Kate Binchy

Gender : Female

Ernest Blyth

Character Name : Civilian Watching German Bomber Crash (uncredited)

Original Name : Ernest Blyth

Gender : Male

A. J. Brown

Character Name : Air Observer (uncredited)

Original Name : A. J. Brown

Gender : Male

Daniel Brown

Character Name : Refugee (uncredited)

Original Name : Daniel Brown

Gender : Male

Fay Bura

Character Name : Woman in Air Raid Shelter (uncredited)

Original Name : Fay Bura

Gender : Male

Mary Burleigh

Character Name : Minor Role (uncredited)

Original Name : Mary Burleigh

Gender : Female

Bill Burns

Character Name : RAF Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Bill Burns

Gender : Male

Pauline Chamberlain

Character Name : Woman in Church Hall Shelter (uncredited)

Original Name : Pauline Chamberlain

Gender : Female

Massimo Ciprari

Character Name : German Soldier (uncredited)

Original Name : Massimo Ciprari

Gender : Male

Günter Clemens

Character Name : Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Günter Clemens

Gender : Male

John Comer

Character Name : Policeman (uncredited)

Original Name : John Comer

Gender : Male

Les Conrad

Character Name : RAF Sergeant (uncredited)

Original Name : Les Conrad

Gender : Male

Victor Croxford

Character Name : Refugee (uncredited)

Original Name : Victor Croxford

Gender : Male

George Curtis

Character Name : Man in Air Raid Shelter (uncredited)

Original Name : George Curtis

Gender : Male

Basil Dignam

Character Name : Tactical Records Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Basil Dignam

Gender : Male

Eric Dodson

Character Name : RAF Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Eric Dodson

Gender : Male

Jim Dowdall

Character Name : German Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : Jim Dowdall

Gender : Male

Hugh Elton

Character Name : Docker (uncredited)

Original Name : Hugh Elton

Gender : Male

Harry Fielder

Character Name : Soldier (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Fielder

Gender : Male

Meriel Forbes

Character Name : Undetermined Role (uncredited)

Original Name : Meriel Forbes

Gender : Female

Gareth Forwood

Character Name : Alistair (uncredited)

Original Name : Gareth Forwood

Gender : Male

Paddy Frost

Character Name : Edith (uncredited)

Original Name : Paddy Frost

Gender : Male

Hugh Futcher

Character Name : RAF Ground Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Hugh Futcher

Gender : Male

Brian Grellis

Character Name : RAF Cpl. Ernie (uncredited)

Original Name : Brian Grellis

Gender : Male

Michael Guest

Character Name : General Staff Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Guest

Gender : Male

Barry Halliday

Character Name : 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : Barry Halliday

Gender : Male

Paul Hansard

Character Name : Karl (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Hansard

Gender : Male

Vincent Harding

Character Name : ADC to Hitler (uncredited)

Original Name : Vincent Harding

Gender : Male

Pat Heywood

Character Name : WRAF Cpl. Seymour (uncredited)

Original Name : Pat Heywood

Gender : Female

Stuart Hoyle

Character Name : 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : Stuart Hoyle

Gender : Male

Desmond Jordan

Character Name : General Staff Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Desmond Jordan

Gender : Male

Geoffrey King

Character Name : Air Observer (uncredited)

Original Name : Geoffrey King

Gender : Male

Jack Le White

Character Name : Archie's Taxi Driver (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Le White

Gender : Male

Aileen Lewis

Character Name : Woman in Air Raid Shelter (uncredited)

Original Name : Aileen Lewis

Gender : Female

Illona Linthwaite

Character Name : Wendy (uncredited)

Original Name : Illona Linthwaite

Gender : Male

Maureen Lipman

Character Name : Radar Operator (uncredited)

Original Name : Maureen Lipman

Gender : Female

Reg Lye

Character Name : Workman (uncredited)

Original Name : Reg Lye

Gender : Male

David McKail

Character Name : Lac Arnold (uncredited)

Original Name : David McKail

Gender : Male

Harald Meister

Character Name : Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Harald Meister

Gender : Male

Rosalind Mendleson

Character Name : Refugee (uncredited)

Original Name : Rosalind Mendleson

Gender : Male

George Merritt

Character Name : Civilian (uncredited)

Original Name : George Merritt

Gender : Male

Hilary Minster

Character Name : Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Hilary Minster

Gender : Male

Ingo Mogendorf

Character Name : Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Ingo Mogendorf

Gender : Male

Richard Morant

Character Name : Replacement Pilot - Red Section 'Red 2' (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Morant

Gender : Male

Richardson Morgan

Character Name : British Embassy Valet (uncredited)

Original Name : Richardson Morgan

Gender : Male

Steve Morley

Character Name : Boy Watching Archie's Parachute Landing (uncredited)

Original Name : Steve Morley

Gender : Male

Christopher Morris

Character Name : Boy (uncredited)

Original Name : Christopher Morris

Gender : Male

Geoffrey Morris

Character Name : Air Observer (uncredited)

Original Name : Geoffrey Morris

Gender : Male

Norman Morris

Character Name : RAF Sergeant in Shelter (uncredited)

Original Name : Norman Morris

Gender : Male

Douglas Nottage

Character Name : Sergeant Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Douglas Nottage

Gender : Male

Hugo Panczak

Character Name : Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Hugo Panczak

Gender : Male

Clifford Parrish

Character Name : Kelly's Butler (uncredited)

Original Name : Clifford Parrish

Gender : Male

Eileen Peel

Character Name : Lady Kelly (uncredited)

Original Name : Eileen Peel

Gender : Male

David Quilter

Character Name : 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : David Quilter

Gender : Male

Pam Rose

Character Name : WAF in the Plotting Room (uncredited)

Original Name : Pam Rose

Gender : Female

George Roubicek

Character Name : Sergeant Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : George Roubicek

Gender : Male

John Savident

Character Name : RAF Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : John Savident

Gender : Male

Clive Scott

Character Name : 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : Clive Scott

Gender : Male

Jack Sharp

Character Name : Old Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Sharp

Gender : Male

Albert Shepherd

Character Name : Soldier at Self-Propelled Gun (uncredited)

Original Name : Albert Shepherd

Gender : Male

Sadie Slade

Character Name : Radio Operator (uncredited)

Original Name : Sadie Slade

Gender : Male

Kathleen St John

Character Name : Old Lady (uncredited)

Original Name : Kathleen St John

Gender : Female

Philip Stewart

Character Name : Man in Air Raid Shelter (uncredited)

Original Name : Philip Stewart

Gender : Male

Frank Sussman

Character Name : ADC in Intelligence Maps Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Sussman

Gender : Male

Nick Tate

Character Name : RAF Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : Nick Tate

Gender : Male

John Tatham

Character Name : Fighter Command Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : John Tatham

Gender : Male

Reg Thomason

Character Name : RAF Sergeant (uncredited)

Original Name : Reg Thomason

Gender : Male

Chris Tranchell

Character Name : 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : Chris Tranchell

Gender : Male

Joseph Tregonino

Character Name : Refugee (uncredited)

Original Name : Joseph Tregonino

Gender : Male

Paul Tropea

Character Name : Peasant Boy (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Tropea

Gender : Male

Rosetta Tropea

Character Name : Peasant Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Rosetta Tropea

Gender : Male

Michael Trubshawe

Character Name : Air Observer (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Trubshawe

Gender : Male

Alan Tucker

Character Name : Charlie (uncredited)

Original Name : Alan Tucker

Gender : Male

Franz Van Norde

Character Name : Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Franz Van Norde

Gender : Male

Mickey Varey

Character Name : Rescue Worker (uncredited)

Original Name : Mickey Varey

Gender : Male

Dagobert Walter

Character Name : Hans Falke (uncredited)

Original Name : Dagobert Walter

Gender : Male

David Webb

Character Name : RAF Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : David Webb

Gender : Male

Peter Wesp

Character Name : Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

Original Name : Peter Wesp

Gender : Male

Alister Williamson

Character Name : Air Raid Warden (uncredited)

Original Name : Alister Williamson

Gender : Male

Fred Wood

Character Name : Rescue Worker (uncredited)

Original Name : Fred Wood

Gender : Male

Reviews

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Stirring chest beater for those prepared to indulge. You don't need me to give you a history lesson here, Battle Of Britain, much like 98% of all war movies is a glossed up extension of an historical event, if you want history then go read all the serious historian comments instead. Wanna read about a film? OK, Battle Of Britain is something of a frustrating love of mine, I'm not one to be over enthused as regards jingoistic fervour, but there are a handful of films that really have me pounding my chest like some flag waving King Kong clone, Battle Of Britain, in spite of the obvious flaws is one such film. The plus points will always outweigh the bad for me, as a top array of acting talent line up to tell the tale of the British Air Force fighting the good fight against the German Air Force for control of British air space - and thus stopping the Nazis from invading England on the south coast. It should be noted that the film gains extra credit for giving the due respect to the other European countries that also fought in the Battle for the skies in 1940. The aerial sequences are a delight, it's easy to see where the main portion of the budget went here, be it dogfights or squadrons looming ominously in the sky, the effects are never less than good, and some of the POV cockpit shots firmly have the blood pumping. The climatic battle (played out to an almost operatic score) is deftly shot and is a riveting reel of film that pays you back for having sat through one of the film's flaws, that of the sadly scripted moments of tedium. True enough to say that the film is a bit overlong, and whilst it's smart in portraying the reality of pilots under prepared, it just comes across as at times like boorish filler, while the inevitable love interest strand involving Susannah York is not only pointless, it's also bloody annoying. The score is hit and miss as well, at times Ron Goodwin & Henry Walton's music lights up the proceedings as the planes swoop and conquer, but does the operatic switch for the film's final battle enhance the picture? I would say no because the harshness of battle gives way to swan lake like indulgence, it's not for me I have to say. Still, I don't think anyone is proclaiming this as a masterpiece, it entertains far above average, and for this viewer at least, it makes me proud for a couple of hours at least. Lest we ever forget the real life heroes of The Battle of Britain. 7/10

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-04-13

It's 1940 and the ebullient Reichsmarschall (Hein Riess) arrives in his powder blue uniform to inspire his invincible Luftwaffe in their imminent reduction of the RAF to a pile of bombed out aerodromes and blazing aircraft. Across the channel, Sir Hugh Dowding (Sir Laurence Olivier) is trying to organise His Majesty's forces - outnumbered by something like four to one, to thwart that ambition. The next couple of hours demonstrate just how the British - helped by a disparate collection of dispossessed European allies from Poland, Czechoslovakia and France as well as many from Commonwealth nations fought the eponymous battle. Rather than just follow an historical chronology, though, the narrative uses the lives and loves of a series of characters - from both sides of the water - to illustrate the horrors of war, the strains on relationships and the strength of friendships and loyalty. We know what happened, so there's little jeopardy, but a combination of Ron Goodwin's scoring and some superb aerial photography help to elevate this above any accusations that it's a propagandist, even gloating, exercise. It's hard to imagine anyone being able to assemble quite the cast that Guy Hamilton has here and each familiar face plays a part in presenting this collage of stories and events the empowered the battle for the very survival of the nation against an enemy that was well equipped, disciplined and believed God was on it's side, too.