Battle of Britain

Year:

1969

Duration:

132 min

Genres:

Action | Drama | History | War

IMDB rate:

7

Director:

Guy Hamilton

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win

Details

Country: UK

Release Date: 1969-10-24

Filming Locations: Old War Office Building, Whitehall, Westminster, London, England, UK

Cast

Actor

Character

Michael Trubshawe

Harry Andrews

Senior Civil Servant

Michael Caine

Squadron Leader Canfield

Trevor Howard

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park

Curd Jürgens

Baron von Richter (as Curt Jurgens)

Ian McShane

Sgt. Pilot Andy

Kenneth More

Group Capt. Baker

Laurence Olivier

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding

Nigel Patrick

Group Capt. Hope

Christopher Plummer

Squadron Leader Colin Harvey

Michael Redgrave

Air Vice Marshal Evill

Ralph Richardson

Sir David Kelly - British Minister to Switzerland

Robert Shaw

Squadron Leader Skipper

Patrick Wymark

Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory

Susannah York

Section Officer Maggie Harvey

Michael Bates

Warrant Officer Warwick

Robert Flemyng

Wing Cmdr. Willoughby

Isla Blair

Mrs. Andy

Barry Foster

Squadron Leader Edwards

John Baskcomb

Farmer (as John Bascomb)

Edward Fox

Pilot Officer Archie

Tom Chatto

Willoughby's Assistant Controller

W.G. Foxley

Squadron Leader Evans

James Cosmo

Jamie

David Griffin

Sgt. Pilot Chris

Jack Gwillim

Senior Air Staff Officer

André Maranne

French NCO (as Andre Maranne)

Myles Hoyle

Peter

Anthony Nicholls

Minister

Duncan Lamont

Flight Sgt. Arthur

Nicholas Pennell

Simon

Sarah Lawson

Skipper's Wife

Andrzej Scibor

Ox

Mark Malicz

Pasco

Jean Wladon

Jean Jacques

Wilfried von Aacken

Gen. Osterkamp (as Wilfried Van Aacken)

Reinhard Horras

Bruno

Karl-Otto Alberty

General Jeschonnek - Luftwaffe Chief of Staff (as Karl Otto Alberty)

Helmut Kircher

Boehm

Alexander Allerson

Maj. Brandt

Paul Neuhaus

Maj. Föhn

Dietrich Frauboes

Field Marshal Milch (Inspector General, Luftwaffe)

Malte Petzel

Col. Beppo Schmidt (Luftwaffe Intelligence)

Alf Jungermann

Brandt's Navigator

Manfred Reddemann

Maj. Falke

Peter Hager

Field Marshal Albert Kesselring

Hein Riess

Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring

Wolf Harnisch

Gen. Fink (as Wolf Harnish)

Rolf Stiefel

Adolf Hitler

Nikki Van der Zyl

Dubbing (voice)

Paul Angelis

Albert (uncredited)

Graham Armitage

Radar Officer (uncredited)

Hilda Barry

Old Lady (uncredited)

Nicky Beaumont

Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

Kate Binchy

Grace (uncredited)

A.J. Brown

Air Observer (uncredited)

Günter Clemens

Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

John Comer

Policeman (uncredited)

Basil Dignam

Tactical Records Officer (uncredited)

Eric Dodson

RAF Officer (uncredited)

Harry Fielder

Soldier (uncredited)

Meriel Forbes

Undetermined Role (uncredited)

Gareth Forwood

Alistair (uncredited)

Paddy Frost

Edith (uncredited)

Brian Grellis

RAF Cpl. Ernie (uncredited)

Michael Guest

General Staff Officer (uncredited)

Barry Halliday

'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Paul Hansard

Karl (uncredited)

Vincent Harding

ADC to Hitler (uncredited)

Pat Heywood

WRAF Cpl. Seymour (uncredited)

Stuart Hoyle

'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Desmond Jordan

General Staff Officer (uncredited)

Geoffrey King

Air Observer (uncredited)

Jack Le White

Archie's Taxi Driver (uncredited)

Illona Linthwaite

Wendy (uncredited)

Maureen Lipman

Radar Operator (uncredited)

Reg Lye

Workman (uncredited)

David McKail

Lac Arnold (uncredited)

Harald Meister

Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

George Merritt

Civillian (uncredited)

Hilary Minster

Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Ingo Mogendorf

Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Richard Morant

Replacement Pilot - Red Section 'Red 2' (uncredited)

Richardson Morgan

British Embassy Valet (uncredited)

Steve Morley

Boy Watching Archie's Parachute Landing (uncredited)

Christopher Morris

Boy (uncredited)

Geoffrey Morris

Air Observer (uncredited)

Douglas Nottage

Sergeant Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

Hugo Panczak

Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Clifford Parrish

Kelly's Butler (uncredited)

Eileen Peel

Lady Kelly (uncredited)

David Quilter

'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Pam Rose

WAF in the plotting room (uncredited)

George Roubicek

Sergeant Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

John Savident

RAF Officer (uncredited)

Clive Scott

'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Kathleen St. John

Old Lady (uncredited)

Frank Sussman

ADC in Intelligence Maps Office (uncredited)

Nick Tate

RAF Pilot (uncredited)

Reg Thomason

RAF Sergeant (uncredited)

Chris Tranchell

'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)

Paul Tropea

Peasant Boy (uncredited)

Rosetta Tropea

Peasant Girl (uncredited)

Alan Tucker

Charlie (uncredited)

Franz Van Norde

Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

Dagobert Walter

Hans Falke (uncredited)

David Webb

RAF Officer (uncredited)

Peter Wesp

Pilot - Föhn's Crew (uncredited)

Alister Williamson

Air Raid Warden (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

Actor W.G. Foxley, who plays Squadron Leader Evans, was an RAF navigator whose face and hands were badly burned attempting to rescue a fellow crew member after a bomber crash in 1944. Due to his injuries he lost an eye and several fingers, as well as his other facial injuries.

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American special effects creator John P. Fulton was going to do the special effects for this film. However, he died in England before principal photography began.

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This film became regarded as a patriotic tribute to "the few," that many of those involved in the production, actors and technicians, reduced their normal fees to work on this film. Much of the large budget went toward the acquisition, restoration, modification, maintenance and operation of the vintage aircraft.

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Goofs

When Air Vice Marshal Park visits Canfield at the latter's airfield, the designation of the squadron, "188", is shown on the door to the main office. No. 188 Squadron RAF did not exist during World War 2. No. 188 Squadron RAF was a World War 1 squadron that was active between 1917-1919. It has never been re-activated.

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When the German pilot is shot in the head his face is instantaneously covered in 'blood', including the outside of his goggles, revealing that the fake blood was simply spayed into his face.

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During the Stuka raid on the radar stations, the guidance wires are clearly visible as one Stuka crashes into the ground.

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Quotes

Tank crewman: [after watching a Hurricane perform a victory roll] Who's he trying to kid! Is this interesting? Interesting? Yes No | Share this Share this: Facebook | Twitter | Permalink Hide options [With the aid of an interpreter, Edwards has berated the Polish pilots for attacking German bombers against orders, before pulling a telegram out of his pocket] Squadron Leader Edwards: Finally, and God alone knows why, I've received the following signal:

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Section Officer Maggie Harvey: I left out the bit about the wolf whistles. You're better at it then I am.

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Squadron Leader Skipper: [His squadron has just been scrambled and is also under attack by the Luftwaffe] Well don't just *stand* there! Get one *up!*

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Faq

Q

'Never was so much owed by so many to so few? Does this film capture the spirit of the RAF in 1940

A

Unequivocally 'yes' - and much more. Lawrence Olivier's performance as Hugh Dowding is not only one of his best screen performances (great script) but shows the huge contrast between Britain (backs to the wall) and the Nazis, led by posturing clowns like Goering. Dowding is a quiet professional - Goering was a poser.Further down the list the characterizations are believable from Ralph Richardson as Ambassador to Robert Shaw, Michael Caine and Ian McShane as in-flight commanders and pilots.Trevor Howard is good as Park, and Patrick Wymark makes something of a minor Leigh Mallory (later Air Force chief and mastermind of the D Day paratroop landings). Kenneth More and Michael Bates make the most of small roles.Christopher Plummer and Susannah York's sub-plot actually add something to the movie as does the destruction of McShane's family in the blitz. My parents were constantly separated by 'postings' during World War 2. York is torn between duty and marital responsibility - and tragedy will always be the outcome.The Germans are suitably gung-ho baddies and convincingly betray their overconfidence.Even Barry Foster manages to dig out a convincing performance in a small role. Edward Fox is laconic and stiff upper lip, contrasting excellently with his mate who quietly throws up behind the squadron hut.Above everything is the musical score which counterpoints the action excellently and relentlessly. I ocasionally shut my eyes during the movie and the music guides you through the action faultlessly.'Battle of Britain' is right up there with the best war movies ever made.

Q

Chicago Opening Happened When?

A

The hit United Artists film, Battle of Britain, opened in Chicago in fou rarea theatres on Friday, October 31, 1969. The film was rated "G."

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