THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (1969) | The Spitfire Squadron Defends Britain | MGM

The models used in this film were all made by a chap called Mick Charles who owned a ran a model shop in south London until it closed five or so years ago.

The scene where the Luftwaffe bombers flying up the Thames towards London i think i was about 9 when my dad, an ex RN veteran just got up and walked thru the front door (i followed) and stood looking up east towards Woolwich in the east when about 40-50 planes appeared out of the sky heading towards the city .The rumble of engines i hadn't noticed but he had. I remember the noise and the people running out of there houses to see what the fuss was about as my mum ( who lived thru the blitz) took one look and said F**k this and ran back inside.

Imagine acting with just the eyes and conveying that kind of intensity. No CGI in existance can match these classics.

I love the scene with Edward Fox bailing out and landing in the greenhouse, the young boy is so proud to offer that cigarette. “Thanks awfully old chap”

I was living in Luton at the time this film was made. Most of the aircraft flew from Duxford , but I was surprised to see a Spitfire fly over so I went to the airport & saw it plus one other I think put away in Hunting’s old flight shed,but my biggest surprise was when the aerial filming aircraft turned up. It was a B25 painted in very garish colours. The irony of this was that it was older than the Messerschmidt’s & Heinkel’s taking part which were Spanish license built & fitted with Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. that can be seen by the exhaust coming out of the top of the engine cowling instead of the bottom. I hope this is of some interest. I think I still have a couple of photographs I took at the time.

IMO the finest aerial combat scenes in any movie ever. And real aircraft; no CGI (Except for the burning 109) and models used only when that type didn't exist (eg JU87) or they wanted to show a crash.

That and Tora Tora Tora were brilliant movies, neither got the commercial appreciation they deserved.

I happened to visit the Oberschleissheim branch of the Deutsches Mus yrs ago (2001?) which is a former Luftwaffe airfield. It features a restoration center and from the observation deck, I could see what looked like an He-111 fuselage being restored. I thought it had to be one from the movie. I conned my way into the area and was given an impromptu tour by a super nice resto guy there and he confirmed it was one of planes used in the BOB movie - a CASA used by the Spanish AF. Since it's my favorite movie, it was a life experience for me to make such a connection.

A beautifully crafted film. Authentic, accurate and anointed. The contemporary films don’t even get close. I salute these brave young men.

Marvellous stuff, and no CGI.

The flying sequences using authentic aircraft in this film are still awesome.

The sound design in these sequences is fantastic.

This movie deserves a fresh, digitally cleaned up print, and a major theatrical re-release.

The SOUND of those SPITFIRES… GOOSE BUMPS!!! Ear candy!

Imagine filming those scenes ? Brilliant director

2:01 you can’t beat the sound of that Merlin

The Film will never be real flying sequences like these ever again.

Quint survived and went on to hunt sharks for a living.

当時スペイン空軍にあったハインケルと メッサーシュミット(ライセンス生産機)を 残らず調達して当時のカラーリングに しました。さすがにスピットファイアと ホーカーハリケーンは動態保存の良い機体が 沢山あってこの映画は出来上がりました。 ここまで細部に渡り見せてくれた映画は 他にはありませんわ❤

Real film!No cgi.....