IMDb RATING
6.5/10
842
YOUR RATING
War drama about the dangerous and stressful work of Lancaster bomber British crews during World War II.War drama about the dangerous and stressful work of Lancaster bomber British crews during World War II.War drama about the dangerous and stressful work of Lancaster bomber British crews during World War II.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis movie was filmed at R.A.F. Upwood. The Lancasters used were NX673, NX679, and NX782. These aircraft also took part in the filming of The Dam Busters (1955).
- GoofsIn the scene depicting the take off starring Bill Kerr as the Australian pilot, he starts the aircraft up with the phrase "contact port outer". This is incorrect - the Lancaster would have started with the port inner engine as this drove the hydraulics which controlled the turrets etc.
- Crazy creditsClosing credits epilogue: This story is humbly dedicated to all those airmen who were unable to keep an Appointment in London
- ConnectionsFeatured in Into the Wind (2011)
Featured review
The last few are the hardest...
Some of the best war films have been movies about the Allied bombing campaign of WWII. "Command Decision", "12 O'Clock High" and "Raiders in the Sky" are all excellent films--though the latter is set at a British bomber base whereas the first two are about American bases. While I wouldn't quite put this film in the same level as the other two in quality, it is awfully close and well worth your time.
The film centers around Wing Commander Mason (Dirk Bogarde). He's a very good pilot. However, his 87 missions is wearing on him and he's long overdue to be retired from the front line. Oddly, instead of being happy about this, Mason insists on being able to at least reach 90...and then he'll quit. The film is a nice portrait of Lancaster pilots and crew and because it was made not too long after the war, the filmmakers were able to use three airworthy bombers--which added to the realism.
So why do I think this one isn't quite up to the level of the American films? Well, mostly because Mason just seems to take the whole thing in stride (apart from insomnia) and he seems amazingly well adjusted...taking away from the tension that DID come because the other two films focused so strongly on the emotional toll. Still, a nice tribute to these brave men and well worth your time.
The film centers around Wing Commander Mason (Dirk Bogarde). He's a very good pilot. However, his 87 missions is wearing on him and he's long overdue to be retired from the front line. Oddly, instead of being happy about this, Mason insists on being able to at least reach 90...and then he'll quit. The film is a nice portrait of Lancaster pilots and crew and because it was made not too long after the war, the filmmakers were able to use three airworthy bombers--which added to the realism.
So why do I think this one isn't quite up to the level of the American films? Well, mostly because Mason just seems to take the whole thing in stride (apart from insomnia) and he seems amazingly well adjusted...taking away from the tension that DID come because the other two films focused so strongly on the emotional toll. Still, a nice tribute to these brave men and well worth your time.
- planktonrules
- Aug 30, 2016
- Permalink
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Details
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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