The Dam Busters
Directed by:
Michael AndersonScreenplay:
R.C. SherriffCinematography:
Erwin HillierComposer:
Leighton LucasCast:
Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Basil Sydney, Derek Farr, Stanley Van Beers, Colin Tapley, Laurence Naismith, Robert Shaw, George Baker, Patrick McGoohan (more)Plots(1)
An epic war story of World War II. Scientist Dr. Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) believes World War II can be shortened by destroying the Ruhr dams, thus paralyzing the enemys industrial nerve center. In spite of the difficulties caused by the critical situation at the time, he works steadily to perfect a special bomb of his own invention for the purpose. Air Ace Wing Commander Guy Gibson is chosen to form, train and lead the hand-picked squadron. Flying at tree-top level they cross the Rhine and attack the first dam - Moehne. The bombers seem unable to maintain the accuracy essential for success - then suddenly the masonry begins to crumb. (Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (2)
The film was made in 1955 and you can clearly tell by its special effects (the tracers looked just weird). I did have a great time watching, though. What unexpectedly fascinated me was Dr. Wallis’s research. I really enjoyed the journey from a golf ball to a five-ton bouncing bomb. The flights over the Channel on the way to the mission objective were not so great. I was starting to get worried that the creators wanted to show them in real time. I also wouldn’t mind a deeper insight into the personal life of the pilots to portray the individual characters in greater detail. Anyway, I was satisfied overall so it wasn't a waste of time.
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Yes, the final half hour is riveting, but what happens before it is no less interesting. The Dam Busters surprised me very pleasantly and immediately became one of my top air war films. And that doesn't change despite the fact that the actors spend three quarters of the film just talking, planning, testing, modifying and talking... This (and the fact that the film is not boring at all) are the things that made Dam Busters different and remarkable.
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