Discover
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Michael Anderson
Director -
Guy Gibson
Author -
Robert Lennard
Casting Director -
Gilbert Taylor
Special Effects -
Stuart Freeborn
Makeup Artist -
Leighton Lucas
Music -
Les Hammond
Sound Recordist -
Paul Brickhill
Author
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CinemaSerf 11/14/2022 11:47:26 AM
I think sometimes it is important to remember that even 10 years after the war was over, there was still an appetite - even a neccessity - for war stories that celebrated (ok, and frequently embellished) the successes of the many ordinary folk who fought in the war. This film is one such story. Based on real events and characters it is nonetheless a drama. It does manipulate the facts a little; though the use of bouncing bombs - innovatively designed from scratch - well, with a little help from Napoleon - by Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) to destroy three German dams on the Ruhr by a squadron led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson (Richard Todd) is fact. The film gradually demonstrates the frustrations as these devices are tested, of the dedication of those charged with delivering them and, of course, of the peril faced by the crews - many of whom were destined never to return. I saw this recently on television and the announcer apologised in advance for the "racist language" which i assumed referred to Gibson's dog. Strange it didn't see fit to apologise for the portrayal of indiscriminate death inflicted by both sides on the other. An odd, modern day irony only made possible by the exploits of the sorts of people and achievements this film sets out to commemorate.
Patrick McGoohan
Guard at door (uncredited)Laurence Naismith
FarmerRobert Shaw
Flt / Sgt. J. Pulford, D.F.M.Edwin Richfield
RAF Officer (uncredited)John Fraser
Flight Lieutenant J. V. Hopgood, D.F.C.Bill Kerr
Flight Lieutenant H. B. Martin, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C.Richard Todd
Wing Commander Guy Gibson, V.C., D.S.O., D.F.C.Richard Leech
Squadron Leader H. M. Young, D.F.C.