Discover
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Paul Brickhill
Author -
Gilbert Taylor
Special Effects -
Michael Anderson
Director -
Louis Levy
Music Director -
Richard Best
Editor -
Stuart Freeborn
Makeup Artist -
R.C. Sherriff
Screenplay -
George Blackwell
Special Effects
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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.
Robert Shaw
Flt / Sgt. J. Pulford, D.F.M.Patrick McGoohan
Guard at door (uncredited)George Baker
Flight Lieutenant D. J. H. Maltby, D.S.O., D.F.C.Peter Arne
Staff Officer to Air-Vice Marshal Cochrane (uncredited)Richard Todd
Wing Commander Guy Gibson, V.C., D.S.O., D.F.C.Laurence Naismith
FarmerMichael Redgrave
Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S.Tim Turner
Flight Lieutenant J. F. Leggo, D.F.C.