Battle of Britain

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic aerial combat!! Famous actors and good story!
Review: The Battle of Britain was a critical phase of World War Two. Adolf Hitler's military might was ready to invade Great Britain and if not for the couragous Royal Air Force, Hitler might have been marching on Westminster Abbey in 1940 or 1941.
The movie "The Battle Of Britain" shows both the R.A.F. and the German Luftwaffe squaring off with each other. Excellent aerial photography, and my hats are off to those professional/amateur aviators who spent many hours recreating combat over the skies of Great Britain.

Famous stars abound in this movie, from Sir Lawrence Oliver, Michael Caine, Robert Shaw, Susannah York, Kurt Jurgens, and many others boost up an average storyline, to make this a classic film.

I don't know of any other film that documented the Battle of Britain in fiction based on fact to this scale. Filmed in 1970, the digital remake of the film is quite good. What an action packed and great fun film this is.

Highly recommended!!

Rating:
Summary: After seeing the DVD I am suitably impressed
Review: I recently had the chance to check out a review copy of this DVD from MGM Home Entertainment and I am impressed.
The year 1940 was a grim one for Britain. With their backs up against the wall they were the lone country in Western Europe still resisting the onslaught of Nazi Germany. Many felt that German victory was a foregone conclusion and after appealing for peace with the island nation Hitler unleashed the luftwaffe on the country in an effort to pave the way for an eventual land invasion.

Outnumbering the British in the number of aircraft the Germans began bombing airfields in Britain in an attempt to immobilize the beleaguered Royal Air Force. In this battle for the skies the British pilots, the Free French and Polish exiles stood together and faced off the threat in heroic style.
Produced by Harry Saltzman, one of the men behind the James Bond movies and directed by Guy Hamiltom (who had performed a similar chore for Saltzman on "Goldfinger") the movie features a veritable who's who cast of British stars. Joining Michael Caine, Robert Shaw, Harry Andrews, Edward Fox, Ralph Richardson, Trevor Howard and Laurence Olivier was Canadian star Christopher Plummer and German actor Curt Jurgens (who would go on later to play a Bond villain).
Based loosely on the book "Dual of Eagles" Hamilton directs "Battle of Britain" with his usual flair and the colors are vivid and nicely reproduced on this DVD. The audio is similarly excellent with the sound of the Spitfires, Messerchmitts and Hurricanes reverberating through the speakers in what amounts to some of the most incredible aerial combat ever committed to film.
The sole extra feature on this DVD release is the original theatrical trailer. Whereas the main feature has obviously been restored painstakingly and lovingly the same cannot be said for the trailer. With some scratchy audio and niches and blemishes on the print it is of a noticeable inferior quality when compared with the movie itself.
This however is a minor quibble and "Battle of Britain" has been applauded for its accuracy. In short it is a triumph of sixties World War II filmmaking and, especially at its low price tag, it is easy to recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Warning! YOU ARE NOT SERVED IN STEREO! Nor SURROUND...
Review: This review is directed to both "Midway" and "Battle of Britain" DVD releases:

1. I own both the VHS and the LaserDisc versions of these movies.

2. Midway is good, but could have been better. Battle of Britain is exceptional.

3. The DVD image quality is crystal clear, their sound is dreadful.

Now, having specified all this, you may understand why I rated them 2 stars.

I will skip the image side of the movies for the time being, and just jump to the sound quality, which is abismal to say the least.

In Midway's case, they call it "Collector's Edition" and indeed, just an undiscriminating collector, such as I, could have fallen for such a scam.

I won't even mention the VHS version, but instead concentrate to compare the DVD release and its LaserDisc counterpart.
The LD was released about eight years ago, and despite its grainy and at times "washed-out" images, it was a far superior product than the DVD version.
Besides, what's the use to have a perfectly clear image, if many aerial battle scenes were anyway taken from actual war footage?
Some of it is shaky in nature (well understandable, not being produced by Hollywood moviemakers), and for once, an overall unsharp picture of the movie (although shown in its original widescreen scope), was helpful to hide the "war-footage" imperfections and "cut-ins".
Also, many may know that this movie was the second "Sensurround" blockbuster of all times, the first being "Earthquake".
Now, why on earth does one have to own this movie in a Monaural version, when he could ask its Sensurround counterpart?
Not only is the monaural sound flat, but it also takes away one of the main reasons to watch this movie.
Same fate was reserved to "Battle of Britain" on an MGM DVD.
While I may understand that the industry may be in financial difficulties nowadays, I may not condone such an unprofessional sloppiness.
These are not "disappearing" movies, and I am convinced that if the producers of such DVDs ("Midway" AND "Battle of Britain") had really done their jobs and researched, as they should have, they would have come across a pristine copy of a Sensurround counterpart of "Midway" and a fully stereophonic copy of "Battle of Britain".
But they did not.
And this is shameful and shabby.
This shows you how little the studios care about their customers nowadays, and by what kind of people they are run today.
Certainly not by great and wise men as Mr. Mayer, Mr. Warner and Mr. Zanuck were.
It is true that it is an industry and it is also true that it is a business, but industry and business CAN be creative and can deliver wonderful products to sell.
But today all we get is mediocrity and insufficient will to do something good.
Is the industry tired?
You bet, and it shows!
Is the business running?
Yes, but with what kind of products?
Is there a lack of imagination?
Absolutely and it is getting worse.
Perhaps then, considerations should be made to substitute "money-grabbers", with talented and creative people, who are also willing to risk their necks for this industry, if we want it to survive as such.
All I can say about many recent releases of DVDs, especially those of movies pre-dating the '80s is, that many do not compare with their theatrical counterparts in way, fashion or taste.
I am not one who complains when special features are lacking, but I do STRONGLY complain when the movie presented is not in its TRUE theatrical presentation.
This ought to stop.
And it is not much use either, to know that there will be, maybe some day, a special edition, a director's cut or a deluxe version of the same.
Fact remains that it is all a scam to slip your hard-earned money out of your pockets. In jurisprudence, it is plainly called theft and as such it should be considered.
If the studios can't manage to stay afloat, then they should have the decency to relinquish power to someone who has their interests at heart.
In other words, if Universal, MGM or others, can't make it anymore, they should smell the coffee and sell their rights and their products to industries who have, not only the means, but also some solid common sense, to pick up the glorious past of theirs and make it shine once again.
The name doesn't count so much, if you are losing ground with the people you are meant to serve.
MGM at least has followed suit in this and having some titles transferred to Warners might have been a wise move, but even Warner Bros. is not able to always satisfy its reputation.
So what will be next?
A poorly reedited version of "From Here to Eternity"?
The only studio brand that seemed to care so far about its own products is 20th Century-Fox.
Their war movies have been edited for DVD in an impeccable way so far and are worth collecting.
But Universal's Collector's Edition of "Midway" is a pale comaprison to its theatrical counterpart and is absolutely not acceptable as a "collector's" item. Think again!
"Battle of Britain" was originally produced by United Artists, and this is probably why MGM, although for many years holder of their rights, may have only had the rights to the monaural version of this movie.
Now, if some talented person would come across and decide to pick up both movies from the dust and make them shine again,
perhaps with some digital imaging cleanup and a true stereophonic and surround sound, we may all be far more satisfied and probably more willing to pay a couple of bucks more to have them reinstated where they belong: in the classic section of movie making.
I come to think about ARTISAN or even a CRITERION version.
Would people in both companies be so good as to give it a try?

In any case, and after my long rambling, if you had the intention to buy these DVDs, think again.
If you are a die-hard fan of war movies and you never watched them before, then you may have fun buying them.
But, if you own the VHS versions or even better, the LaserDisc versions, hang on to them. They are far better than these DVDs.
In the VHS owner's case, I would only recommend these DVDs if you absolutely must have a Widescreen version, but don't count on better sound.
In the LaserDisc owner's interest. Keep watching your LaserDiscs and totally forget these DVDs.

I am sorry not to sound more enthusiastic about them, but I had to say the truth, having watched them when they were first released and again being the owner of these items in other formats.
Comparisons can be highly destructive, especially when one has a filmic memory as I have.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Smashing, Old Chap!
Review: With today's movies having such a larger amount of computer generated special effects, this movie was a refreshing change. I am an avid WW2 history buff and love the aircraft of WW2. Even though you are watching the Spanish Air Force versions of the He111 and the Me109, it was still a thrill to see images of the real thing in flight. While the plot, or lack of it, leaves a something to be desired, you do get the feeling of the a beleagured RAF fighting against bad odds.

I'm the kind of viewer who fast forwards through the romance scenes in "Top Gun", so I can see the aircraft in action. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and I think its a must see for WW2 and aircraft buffs, regardless of what more "discerning" viewers have said about it.

Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding Depiction of the Battle Of Britain!
Review: Sit back and relax, for you are about to enter the stirring, deep blue, and rarified air above the skies of England, where the battle for supremacy of the skies is about to commence. In one of the finest war movies ever made, the familiar saga of how the few available aviators with their Spitfires and Hurricanes simply out-flew, out-fought, and out-lasted the waves of Luftwaffe airplanes while the future of Britain and the free world hung precariously in the balance. The cinematography is magnificent, as are the dog fighting sequences of so many carefully restored vintage Spitfires and Hurricanes, and a number of German aircraft as well. In what became known as the biggest and longest running air battle in history, the British flyers overcame the stunning numerical superiority of the Nazi air services with luck, courage, and the assistance of the newly developed land-based radar systems.

The cast is splendid, with Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Michael Redgrave, Christopher Plummer, Edward Fox and many others. The German players are excellent, as well and the oft-told tale of how the Germans at first devastated the British air force by overwhelming it through sheer numbers and often catching them on the ground in their most vulnerable positions. In the initial few weeks the losses of both planes and pilots was catastrophic, and it appeared that they would soon be overwhelmed and defeated. Yet, after the Brits decided to pursue a desperate bombing campaign over Berlin to inflict some punishment of their own, Hitler made a fateful vengeful error by angrily deciding to redirect the focus of attacks to urban areas such as London, thus making his unescorted bombers much more vulnerable to anti-aircraft batteries and much more open to attack by the British fighters.

This is a wonderful and quite historically accurate depiction of the fabled 'finest hour' of the Brits in staving off the hordes of invading 'Huns', and carving a place in history for themselves in the process. It is quite long, but there is a terrific set of action sequences, and one can't help but be impressed by the magnitude of the events as they are portrayed here. So, turn down the lights and fire up that VCR, the battle is about to begin! Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Their Finest Hour
Review: Starring such famous actors as Sir Lawrence Olivier, Michael Caine, Robert Shaw, Sussanah York, and Kurt Jurgens, this fine film depicts the battle for aerial supremacy over Great Britain in the summer of 1940.

The film begins with the fall of France, and depicts the German preparations for a cross-channel invasion against the British home islands. Germany thought that the feared Luftwaffe would have no trouble gaining air superiority over the inferior R.A.F., but,as it turns out, they were gravely mistaken.

The aerial combat scenes are what make this DVD truly special. The action is first-rate throughout the movie, and the air battles make you feel like you're actually in the cockpit of a Spitfire fighting it out with the Germans.

I highly recommend this excellent movie. The battle scenes are some of the best I've seen in a World War II movie, and they will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Watch this fine film and learn why Winston Churchill called this battle "Their Finest Hour".

Rating:
Summary: Fluff
Review: ßure the film reveals the fact that the German's switched from bombing British airfields to bombing their cities just when the British were fading, and that the change in German tactics gave the RAF a repreive, and that the RAF pilots were probably more talented then the German fliers.
After all that the film is a rated G bore. Any film with Michael Caine in it is always suspect.

Rating:
Summary: Action packed
Review: This movie was produced by Harry Saltzman, who along with Cubby Broccoli co-produced the early James Bond movies. It was directed by Guy Hamilton who also directed Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, and two other of the 007 capers. With that crew you would expect that this would be very much an action-packed movie for guys, and it is. The very limited attempts at human interest sub-plots fail miserably.

Aerial sequences dominate, and there are enough WWII era fighters and bombers, such as Spitfires, Hurricanes, Messerschmitt 109s, Heinkels, and Stukas to satisfy any military hardware nut. No cheating with digital effects when this was made. That means that the aircraft are all flying just as they would have been during the battle of Britain. On the downside, some of the explosions are pretty fake looking by today's standards. But for sheer action and a dramatic re-telling of the story of Britain's courageous and heroic stand against the Nazis, this film cannot be surpassed

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: One of the greatest warfilms of all time along side the Dambusters and the Cruel sea. Made in 1969 Director Guy Hamilton (007) delivers an airborne masterpiece. Unlike most of the mid-air films of its day most (if not all) of the planes were either taken out of museums or built replicas. It would have cost a fortune, but obviously Hamilton thought if you are going to do something, you may as well do it properly. Some of the worlds greatest actors like Michael Caine (Alfie), Christopher Plummer (The sound of music), Laurence Olivier (A bridge too far), Harry Andrews (633 squadron), Michael Redgrave (Dambusters) and many more deliver a wonderful performance which truely makes this film one of the greatest movies ever made.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Smashing, Old Chap!
Review: With today's movies having such a large amount of computer generated special effects, this movie was a refreshing change. I am an avid WW2 history buff and love the aircraft of WW2. Even though you are watching the Spanish Air Force versions of the He111 and the Me109, it was still a thrill to see images of the real thing in flight. While the plot, or lack of it, leaves a something to be desired, you do get the feeling of a beleagured RAF fighting against bad odds.

I'm the kind of viewer who fast forwards through the romance scenes in "Top Gun", so I can watch the aircraft in action. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and I think its a must see for WW2 and aircraft buffs, regardless of what more "discerning" viewers have said about it.