THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (1969) | Opening Scene | MGM

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.

The Battle of Britain (1969)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Screenplay by James Kennaway & Wilfred Greatorex
Cast: Harry Andrews, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Curt Jurgens, Ian McShane, Kenneth More, Laurence Olivier, Nigel Patrick, Christopher Plummer, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Robert Shaw, Patrick Wymark, Susannah York
Rated G
Available on Blu-Ray, DVD and digital platforms.

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The Battle of Britain (1969)

#MGM #TheBattleofBritain

[happisakshappiplace.]

No CGi. All real planes except for a few model shots. It was the Top Gun of it's time. Some of the best flight sequences ever put to film. Criminally underrated.

[skyhigh]

Anyone who knows even a little about the art of film making can appreciate the truly exceptional directing and cinematography of this movie. No CGI or graphical effetcs, just superbly executed film making.

[daveroperNZ]

The low-level flying shots are incredible. No CGI, actual brilliant flying.

[bagoquarks]

Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, Lawrence Olivier, etc. in less than 9 minutes. Nice to be in charge of casting.

[Slimesurfer]

My grandfather was a carpenter at Pinewood and built all the mock Hurricanes and Spitfires blown up in the ground scenes

[amsinghg]

This is one of the greatest historical movies ever made! Watched it with my Dad in 1970's India-always will be a special movie. As many viewers have said, never get tired of watching and re-watching it over and over again. The planes with their authentic engine sounds! Makes one's hair stand up.

[kyle]

That letter was brilliantly written. Dowding doesn't always receive the credit he deserves for having the foresight to know how important the Battle of Britain was going to be.

[karoltakisobie]

55 years later this is still by far the best made military aviation history film .

[travelguy]

This film convinced me to join the RAF. I left 23 years later

[DDGVET]

We were fortunate to grow up during the time movies like these were made. They will never be the same again.

[Markus_Andrew]

I was a 9-year-old in Perth, Australia in 1969 when my parents took me to see this at a drive-in. I've seen it numerous times since, but that initial viewing has always stayed with me, tinny drive-in speakers and all. One of my most memorable movie experiences growing up. I still think it's one of the best WW2 movies ever made. It's screaming for a digital remaster, if that hasn't been done already (haven't come across one as yet).

[johnholmes]

This film was a tribute to Air Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding. He was never forgiven for withdrawing RAF fighters from France, believing their defeat was inevitable. But it was an action that probably saved this country.

[paddycoleman]

One of the best opening scenes to any movie ever. Captures the spirit of the times perfectly. Funny thing, it gets even better after this clip ends with the military music and views of the German Air Force.

[ShamileII]

Gawd....l love the part when the luftwaffe comes in low and starts strafing everything. The second scene you see the plane come just over the fence. Absolutely beautiful cinematography!

[SilverHurricane-Ray]

This Yank across the Pond has nothing but respect for our British Brothers in England.... You stood alone and held The Fort. You made June 6th, 1944 Much Respect !!! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇺🇲🇺🇲

[barrycoomer]

Superb film. It tells a small part of relatively recent history that must never be forgotten. We owe ‘The Few’ so much. Lest We Forget. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[astonmartin]

This film the Battle of Britain needs a thorough 4K Restoration and be shown again in U.K. cinemas like they did with The Great Escape a few years ago
So if there is anybody at MGM UA reading this, there are 9000 of us on a certain site dedicated to the making of the film who would love to see this happen . Crowdfunding has even been discussed which just goes to show how much support there would be too
Wouldn’t it be nice to get that internegative out of the archives ( the one with Maurice Binders titles ), restore each frame and then give it the remastered BLURAY Stereo soundtrack with any 4K release given the deluxe treatment of being able to see the film either with Ron Goodwins film score and/or Sir William Waltons in its entirety.
Give us the chance to see this film on the big screen again for new generations to see. The tv screenings don’t do it justice .
Is it not Park Circus In the U.K. who handle these film distributors restorations and has not Amazon taken over the MGM/UA catalogue ?
Surely there must be some finance around to undertake this 4K restoration rather than go the crowdfunding route. . I did hear that it could cost up to £50k to do a restoration for a 2 hr long film and that’s a mere drop in the ocean .
As most of the aerial shots were filmed in 70mm, I just wonder what this film would look like today on an IMAX screen which would be quite something as the film was released in the super Panavision process.
After all, if it wasn’t for the Battle of Britain film, all the restored original planes we now see at air displays today, simply would not exist . It set the ball rolling for restorations worldwide so it’s importance as a film can never be underestimated.

[vanpenguin]

"And so bear ourselves to our duties,
That if the British Empire lasts a thousand years,
Men will still say that this was our finest hour. "
-Churchill

[juvandy]

I always love the interaction between Plummer and the senior NCO. It's a great example of leadership and trust.

[michaelwhalen]

First saw this film in 1969 with my dad. For years I was convinced that the German airplane at 5:23 flew UNDER that fence. Great movie. I NEVER get tired of it.