Battle of Britain (1969) Spitfire tracking shot

This is one of the greatest in-flight tracking shots of all time. The pitch out to a wingover, held center frame, was a thing of beauty.

Note: Historical composition was used in this scene. It is based on the actions of two different Hurricane pilots, a Me 110, and a Do 17 that crashed near Victoria station.

Background on James Brindley Nicolson:

Background on Ray Holmes saving Buckingham Palace:

Released October 24, 1969 (United States)
Filming @ RAF Hawkinge, Kent, England, UK
Music by Ron Goodwin & William Walton
Production by Spitfire Productions
Distributed by UA/MGM

[georgegravette]

The natural pitch and roll, the rise and fall, the arc through the air, of aircraft under human control--these are things no amount of CGI can EVER capture. Gorgeous.

[Alantheleopard]

And no f***ing CGI. Just real airplanes (and at times scale models). This is what makes aviation movies great and more realistic.

[HydroSnips]

This is my favourite scene, it captures some of the feeling around the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire attacks yet is hit, diving to get clear. He climbs and rolls into this beautiful turn to face the Heinkel again - and listen to the engine, to the viewer it sort of gets quieter as he makes his initial escape and dives away, but then gets louder as he (metaphorically) picks himself up and comes back for the next round. As the Spit comes out of the turn the engine growls then screams, like a scream of sheer bloody fury. Then we see the pilot firing - that’s no nice, controlled one-second burst, it’s a killing burst, he wants to kill that ba**ard aeroplane that’s here marauding over his country and which just had the sheer audacity to try to kill him - HIM! - he wants to tear it to shreds and send it down in flames, thumb down hard on the firing button. And look at his eyes; jocular Archie the pilot from earlier has gone, to be replaced by this furious pilot with crazy eyes. You can almost see the gritted teeth and he piles in, guns ablaze with no thought or care about anything other than sending this aircraft crashing down to the ground.

[jensleck]

This is 1000 times better than these shit Computeranimated Films. I like this absolutly💯♨️

[chathamabs]

I appreciate this film more and more as the years go by. As many have said, no CGI and the once in a lifetime ability to use all those moment in time. The making of the film is a good watch as well, so much effort to make this film truly epic and a great tribute to those who took part in the Battle of Britain.

[taofledermaus]

That bomber sounded just like a Stuka in a dive! Amazing how often they use that sound for every plane in a dive.

[walterkronkitesleftshoe]

Agreed, it is masterful. Well chosen cinematography.

[Barnyive]

Grew up watching this movie over & over again. Along with Top Gun, Midway (1976). Love this movie for the real shots and the care taken in the filming. I always loved this scene where the dude gets hit & GOES OFF!!!

[JohnyG]

Why do movies always give crashing planes Stuka noises 🤣

[notreallydavid]

...and there go The Upper Crust and Costa

[markbell]

Such a great film and totally underrated as far as war films go.

[DarthKanye]

What I hate is the stuka noises on a damn Heinkel

[davegoldsmith]

I went with my father, a WW11 air gunner, to watch this film. I shall never forget it, a year later I was in the RAF.

[Bellissimovolere]

Best scene in this brilliant film as it epitomises the non-surrender ‘gloves off’ bulldog spirit… All done in the most beautifully iconic British machine ever made..

[wendyhardin]

Saw this when is was originally released in 1969. My father took us to see this and The Longest Day as a double feature.

[keithharrison]

A reminder of how just how bad CGI can be these days, compared to this highly realistic and stunning Film from 53 years ago. I first watched this in 1969, when I was 9 at boarding school, and it inspired everyone. The flying scenes were very vivid and authentic. This Film is partly responsible for my going on to become a fixed and rotary wing pilot, albeit my Wings were worn on my sleeve and my uniform was a darker blue!

[Bruce-]

Doubt there is another film with better arial shots.

[peterkirgan]

i love how after being shot came around & got the kill !! remarkable stuff !!!

[animelovers]

The bit with the bomber going down and crashing into Victoria train station here is based on a hurricane pilot who rammed a bomber that almost bombed Buckingham palace. There are actual pictures of the bomber going down and the hurricane

[TheSoundfLegends]

Brilliant scene for so many reasons! He comes back angry and it's going down one way or another.
In real life I think this scene was inspired by the hurricane pilot who expended all his ammunition and then rammed a Do17 which crashed into the centre of London near Buckingham palace.