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The Battle of Britain

Original title: Battle of Britain
  • 19691969
  • GG
  • 2h 12m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
23K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
7,055
3,899
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 The 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
ActionDramaHistory
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
23K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
7,055
3,899
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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
    • 175User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:41
    Trailer

    Photos267

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

    Top cast

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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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
      When ACM Dowding and the Air Minister are discussing relative aircraft numbers, the minister states, "We have radar". The term radar was not used in Britain in 1940. The term RDF was used. The term radar was invented by the US Navy in 1940 and held as secret until later in the war.
    • 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 reviews175

    Review
    Top review
    Great war movie
    Being a WWII buff for 25 years, I found this movie to be easily one of the best ever filmed. From the very start of the film, Guy Hamilton's direction and the great musical score left me spellbound even when I knew how the story ended. The casting was flawless. Olivier looked like Dowding. Trevor Howard could pass for Keith Park's twin brother and I swear Goering himself had a small part in the film too. I've always wondered if Robert Shaw's role of the squadron leader "Skipper" wasn't patterned after famed RAF pilot A.G. "Salior" Malan. If it was, Shaw looks alot like Malan. "War in the Air" is one of my favorite pieces of music and it flows beatufully through the film. Great acting by Christopher Plummer, Michael Caine, and one of my favorites, Edward Fox makes this movie a must see for any WWII buff.
    helpful•25
    3
    • WTWalker
    • Oct 20, 2001

    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 The Battle of Britain (1969)
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