The Way to the Stars (1945, Anthony Asquith)

What a good war film this is, written by Terence Rattigan. Apart from a raid on an airfield there isn't a foot of conflict in it and not one shot from the inside of a plane: instead we're focussed purely on the flyers (who, like in Psycho, can get despatched ruthlessly) and the people back home.

Johnny doesn't want to risk getting involved with Renée Asherson

Michael Redgrave kept reminding me of Peter Cook, Rosamund John is the stiff upper-lipped widow Mrs Todd and it is Noel Coward's chum Joyce Carey who is summarily dismissed from the hotel. Jean Simmons debuts as a singer.

Also in great cast: John Mills, Douglass Montgomery (American pilot), Stanley Holloway, Renée Asherson, Basil Radford (scar on his cheek from WW1 trenches), Bonar Colleano (= Quentin Tarantino!). 'Introducing' Trevor Howard.

Michael Redgrave, co-writer Anatole de Grunwald, art director Paul Sherriff, Anthony Asquith, Mills, Rattigan, Basil Radford

It's zippily put together by Fergus McDonell (Unman Wittering and Zigo, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, What's New Pussycat, Odd Man Out, Nothing but the Best, The Way Ahead).

Ph. Derick Williams (overlit), but 2nd unit is Jack Hildyard and Guy Green!

Great scenes: the camera showing us the found lighter; John Mills kiss goodbye via Toddy, and her reaction.

There's another great poem before 'Johnny' (written during an air raid in 1941) which I guess is also John Pudney.

Also on 5 March 2009,  and originally on 13 April 1975 ("Not bad flying drama" - idiot!)