Customer Reviews

Battle of Britain

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although made as a tribute to the RAF and this episode in World War II history, it nonetheless followed the successful formula of Tora, Tora, Tora, by making the enemy human and reasonable. It captures the essential spirit of the contestants in this epic air battle. The fact it was done for real, before CGI effects were what they are today, is an asset. There is a reality about it, a versimillitude, that comes from actually using the real articles. It gives the film an authentic look and thus there is no temptation to monkey with history by flooding the skies with an exaggerated computer panoply of planes or having the aircraft demonstrate exciting but very unrealistic maneuvers.

I should have read the reviews before buying the D V D.
But as I have an old V H S copy that I love,
I thought the D V D would be so much better.
But the changes and omissions are very disappointing.
Buy the V H S.

As several reviewers have stated, the DVD version is almost picture perfect, but somehow the final product was fiddled with between the VHS and DVD products. The inclusion of additional subtitles is interesting for those of us who dont speak German.

Again, the real sore point is the altered ending-the original/VHS is much much better than the DVD version. WHy the change??? Whoever suggested it should be fired-the VHS ending is much much better. Still, the DVD is a good buy just for the clearer pictures and yes hopefully they will change back to the original in a "Special Edition".

All of the problems noted by previous reviewers of the DVD are correct: the different opening titles, the changed subtitles, the substitution of the ineffective Walton end title music for Ron Goodwin's beautiful ending, the alternate Churchill quote, the omission of German losses in the tally at the end, etc., etc. Why? Where did this come from? Was it an early version? A British theatrical release that differed from the American release? I also missed the original UA opening logo, which has been replaced by the modern MGM one. Who makes these weird decisions? Did the producers of the DVD have a clue? Did they care? The image quality is good, and no scenes or shots have been cut, as far as I can tell. The aerial scenes are intact. Like others have said, keep your VHS and laserdisc copies. I waited and waited and waited for this DVD, and what a disappointment. Maybe in 10 years there will be another with all these problems corrected, and some extra features.

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

Battle of Britain is a huge war epic along the lines of A Bridge too Far and The Longest Day. In the years before the United States entered WWII, England had to hold back Nazi Germany almost singlehandedly. After the disaster at Dunkirk, it looked like there was no stopping the Germans. All that remained was for the German Luftwaffe to weaken England to the point where a land invasion could take place allowing Hitler to take control of Great Britain. The only surviving hope for England was the RAF, Royal Air Force. Hopelessly outnumbered, 2500 German planes to 690 British planes, the RAF had to hold back the Luftwaffe in the skies above England. The movie tells the story, from both sides, of the British pilots and their efforts to stop Germany from complete domination of Western Europe. This movie has the best aerial combat sequences ever put on film. One particularly effective scene has the musical score playing over the silent dogfights between the RAF and the Luftwaffe. Battle of Britain is a great war movie, full of action that should not be missed.

Battle of Britain boasts an impressive cast full of notable British actors. The huge list includes, in alphabetical order, Harry Andrews, Michael Caine, Edward Fox, Trevor Howard, Curt Jurgens, Ian McShane, Kenneth More, Laurence Olivier, Nigel Patrick, Christopher Plummer, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Robert Shaw, Patrick Wymark, and Susannah York. The ones that really stand out from the rest are Robert Shaw as a squadron leader trying to get his fighter squadron through the battle and Christopher Plummer as a fighter pilot trying to save his marriage. The DVD offers a great-looking widescreen presentation and the theatrical trailer. For a great war epic with a huge cast and great aerial combat footage, check out Battle of Britain!

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".

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.

A. Incredible WWII Aircraft (they went to alot of trouble to get these planes, some found in Spain).
B. Great depiction of the air battles.
C. Wonderful job of portraying officers and enlisted men at leisure and in battle.
D. Even in this age of CGI the F/X of this movie still stand up nicely.
E. To annoy those that don't appreciate this movie.

I'm a Yank and I love this movie! This is one of the many wonderful WWII movies the British have produced. I am a big fan of WWII movies and this is one of the best available. Call me slightly prejudiced but their portrayals are more realistic to me than many of our American made war movies. Don't get me wrong I love John Wayne too, but the Duke was larger than life. Another good example of the Brits abilities is "Sink the Bismarck". Talk about an exceptional movie. So I suggest all my fellow Yanks catch this movie, and my hats off to the Brits for making it.

BON SON REMASTERISE 5.1 BON MONTAGE ET SCENE DE COMBATS AERIENS , MAIS CE FILM EST PLUS UN DOCUMENTAIRE AVEC DES FAIT VERIDIQUE ET L'HISTOOIRE EST PAS MAL DECOUPES....