When WWII began, the German forces rolled through Europe with little real resistance UNTIL they were unable to persuade Britain to work with Germany rather than against. Thus the Germans came up with the Battle of Britain designed to bring Britain to her knees and, from a historical point of view, FAILED! This really was their first major failure and drove them to leave this tactic and open up the Eastern front with an attack on the Soviet Union. This film chronicles the lopsided British force - meager, desperately in need of pilots, and fighting to protect their own airspace and soil versus the juggernaut that was the German army, navy, and luftwaffe at this time. The film starts with the opening of the Germans trying to persuade the British through negotiations to leave Germany alone on the continent, only to be rebuffed and put their operation in movement to cripple the British isles. The film has quite a cast of great British actors. All do fine work though most have little screen time such as Robert Shaw, Michael Caine, Kenneth More, and others. The primary stars are the aircraft themselves and the wonderful story of Jack and the Giant. Director Guy Hamilton - man, this GUY gets around! - directs in his typically professional manner with some dazzling action sequences, solid acting moments, and some tedious scenes as well.
Review of Battle of Britain
