Triggered by episodes of Foyle's War, and the fact that William Boyd included it in his list of 'worthy war films' (discussed here), I'm not sure I'd seen this since I was a kid at the cinema. It's an incredible piece of work, with jaw-dropping aerial scenes - we're definitely watching the 'Making of' - it's probably as good as the film. Talking of which, there's perhaps not enough of a strong on-the-ground story - in that respect, it's the exact opposite of The Way to the Stars, which features absolutely no footage in the air. Thus, Susannah York and Christopher Plummer's relationship is not at all interesting, and just about everyone else is reduced to vignettes or non-parts, or that propel the (military) story (Olivier etc.). It needs more of everything: drama, humour, suspense, even sex.
So it's both breath-taking and disappointing.
Great that William Walton's excellent score has been restored. Great cinematography in Panavision by Freddie Young and several aerial cameramen. Kudos too to First AD Derek Cracknell, production designers, pilots etc. And to Bert Bates for putting it all together.
Written by James Kennaway and Wilford Greatorex, based on the book 'The Narrow Margin' by Derek Dempster and Derek Wood.
And something of a memorable cast: Robert Shaw, Michael Caine, Michael York, Kenneth More, Ralph Richardson, Harry Andrews, Trevor Howard, Curd Jürgens, Ian McShane, Nigel Patrick, Patrick Wymark, Michael Bates, Robert Flemyng, Barry Foster, Edward Fox.
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