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The Battle of Britain

Original title: Battle of Britain
  • 19691969
  • GG
  • 2h 12m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, Trevor Howard, Harry Andrews, Curd Jürgens, Ian McShane, Kenneth More, Nigel Patrick, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Patrick Wymark, and Susannah York in Battle of Britain (1969)
In 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over the English Channel as a prelude to a possible Axis invasion of the U.K.
Play trailer3:41
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Drama
  • History

In 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over the English Channel as a prelude to a possible Axis invasion of the ... Read allIn 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over the English Channel as a prelude to a possible Axis invasion of the U.K.In 1940, the British Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over the English Channel as a prelude to a possible Axis invasion of the U.K.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Guy Hamilton
  • Writers
    • James Kennaway(screenplay)
    • Wilfred Greatorex(screenplay)
    • Derek Dempster(book "The Narrow Margin")
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Trevor Howard
    • Harry Andrews
Top credits
  • Director
    • Guy Hamilton
  • Writers
    • James Kennaway(screenplay)
    • Wilfred Greatorex(screenplay)
    • Derek Dempster(book "The Narrow Margin")
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Trevor Howard
    • Harry Andrews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 173User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:41
    Trailer

    Photos267

    Christopher Plummer at an event for Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain (1969)
    Robert Shaw in Battle of Britain (1969)
    Basil Dignam and Myles Hoyle in Battle of Britain (1969)
    Laurence Olivier and Michael Redgrave in Battle of Britain (1969)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Caine
    Michael Caine
    • Squadron Leader Canfieldas Squadron Leader Canfield
    Trevor Howard
    Trevor Howard
    • Air Vice Marshal Keith Parkas Air Vice Marshal Keith Park
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • Senior Civil Servantas Senior Civil Servant
    Curd Jürgens
    Curd Jürgens
    • Baron von Richteras Baron von Richter
    Ian McShane
    Ian McShane
    • Sgt. Pilot Andyas Sgt. Pilot Andy
    Kenneth More
    Kenneth More
    • Group Capt. Bakeras Group Capt. Baker
    Laurence Olivier
    Laurence Olivier
    • Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowdingas Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding
    Nigel Patrick
    Nigel Patrick
    • Group Capt. Hopeas Group Capt. Hope
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Squadron Leader Colin Harveyas Squadron Leader Colin Harvey
    Michael Redgrave
    Michael Redgrave
    • Air Vice Marshal Evillas Air Vice Marshal Evill
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Sir David Kelly - British Minister to Switzerlandas Sir David Kelly - British Minister to Switzerland
    Robert Shaw
    Robert Shaw
    • Squadron Leader Skipperas Squadron Leader Skipper
    Patrick Wymark
    Patrick Wymark
    • Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Malloryas Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory
    Susannah York
    Susannah York
    • Section Officer Maggie Harveyas Section Officer Maggie Harvey
    Michael Bates
    Michael Bates
    • Warrant Officer Warwickas Warrant Officer Warwick
    Robert Flemyng
    Robert Flemyng
    • Wing Cmdr. Willoughbyas Wing Cmdr. Willoughby
    Isla Blair
    Isla Blair
    • Mrs. Andyas Mrs. Andy
    Barry Foster
    Barry Foster
    • Squadron Leader Edwardsas Squadron Leader Edwards
    • Director
      • Guy Hamilton
    • Writers
      • James Kennaway(screenplay)
      • Wilfred Greatorex(screenplay)
      • Derek Dempster(book "The Narrow Margin")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Historical reenactment of the air war in the early days of World War II for control of the skies over Britain as the new Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force determine whether or not an invasion can take place. —John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
    • normandy france
    • polish pilot
    • danger
    • anti aircraft gun
    • nazi uniform
    • 347 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Drama
      • History
      • War
    • Certificate
      • G
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sir Michael Caine initially thought he was too young to play a squadron leader. However, veterans of the battle told him he was actually too old for the part.
    • Goofs
      At the end of the movie a list showing all of the non-UK pilots flying for the RAF is shown. At the end of the list they mention one Israeli pilot flying for the RAF. Israel was not created until 1948, and in fact the pilot in question was from British Mandated Palestine. Due to the confusion with the more modern usage of Palestinian, George Goodman is credited as a pilot from Israel, although the modern state of Israel was not created until 1948. Haifa, at the time of his birth, was part of the former Ottoman Empire administered by the British military.
    • Quotes

      [Narration]

      Winston Churchill: Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

    • Alternate versions
      Some TV prints of the film retain the Transamerica/UA production logo, which is now frequently edited out of other UA films of that period.
    • Connections
      Edited into Midway (1976)
    • Soundtracks
      Battle in the Air
      Composed by William Walton (as Sir William Walton O.M.)

      Conducted by Malcolm Arnold

    User reviews173

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    an important moment in history
    The "Battle of Britain" was one of the most critical battles of World War II, and was fought against Germany by the RAF. The German Luftwaffe planes way outnumbered what the RAF had -- something like 640 vs. 2500 - astonishing - but the RAF went ahead anyway to keep Germany from invading their country.

    I'm not a World War II expert, though I'm sure there are plenty of them who have seen this film and posted a review, so I'll leave the critiques about whether or not this was a realistically told story to them.

    In my own opinion, it was a lot of stars without much to do and some fantastic aerial battles. The stars include Michael Caine, Trevor Howard (replacing Rex Harrison), Harry Andrews, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Christopher Plummer, Ian McShane, Curt Jergens, Kenneth More, Nigel Patrick, Michael Redgrave, Robert Shaw, Susannah York, Robert Flemyng, and Edward Fox. Dirk Bogarde must have been on vacation. Timothy Dalton auditioned for a role but did not get it; Alec Guinness was to play a role that was eventually cut from the script. An astonishing cast.

    Characters therefore weren't fully developed - there were so many of them - but the real story is in the skies where the battles rage, with some very exciting flight sequences as well as some glorious scenery. Filming took place in England and Spain.

    For some history of the film, I suggest the "trivia" section here, which goes into the collecting of the planes and cites scenes based on real incidents.

    If you like World War II films, this sprawling tribute to the RAF is for you.
    helpful•13
    0
    • blanche-2
    • May 26, 2012

    FAQ3

    • Chicago Opening Happened When?
    • How did Britain prevail over the Germans during the battle?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 24, 1969 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Polish
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Die Luftschlacht um England
    • Filming locations
      • RAF Hawkinge, Hawkinge, Kent, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Spitfire Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $17,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 12 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, Trevor Howard, Harry Andrews, Curd Jürgens, Ian McShane, Kenneth More, Nigel Patrick, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Patrick Wymark, and Susannah York in Battle of Britain (1969)
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