Customer Reviews

Reach for the Sky [Import]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

For ravaged post war Britain the 1950's was a time to focus on heroes. The most relevant place to look was leadership from World War 2. Names like Montgomery and Churchill came easily to mind. The name of RAF World War flying ace Douglas Bader however was one which conjured up images of fighter pilots fearlessly flying into outnumbered sorties against the German Luftwaffe juggernaught. The release of Reach For The Sky (1956) starring the popular English actor Kenneth More, fulfilled part of the British hero search. From Bader's early years to his loss of both legs in a reckless flying stunt. To his being brought back in the war to lead, among others, a squadron of Canadian airmen, this film provides an excellent example of 1950's British filmmaking.

It romanticizes the flying ace for what they were seen as at that time; Britain's saviour from the Axis Invaders.

If you enjoy this World War 2 film you will want to see others of its genre such as The Battle of Britain and The Dam Busters.

Most Canadian students during the 60's and early 70's had heard of or were given the the title of the book, "Reach For The Sky" as required reading. A World War II hero who had lost both legs in a pre-war flying accident, and went on to be one of the fighter pilot icons that influenced many Canadian pilots of that era, Douglas Bader later had an equally important influence on those, who had to overcome similar handicaps.
This DVD provides an improvement in the film quality to that of the original VHS version, albeit it remains in black and white. It is a welcome addition to an air warfare "buff's" DVD collection.

I was 8 years old when WWII began and I was subjected to bombing and to flying bombs (doodlebugs). I sometimes watched arial battles in the sky. Aeroplanes fascinated me. I carved Spitfires and arrayed them in all the wartime camouflage and rondals. My parents hosted Paul Brickhill (author of 'Reach for the Sky') one memorable evening well after the war. I am now a proud Canadian so am thrilled that Bader made such a fine fighter squadron out of a largely passed over Canadian wing. During the critical Battle of Britain it was results that mattered and Bader's squadron and, later, five squadrons carved their names in history. A wonderfully acted documentary and a testimony to courage in the face of overwhelmingly powerful tyranny. Lest we forget!!!
I always enjoyed the screen performances of Kenneth Moore. This one especially.

I have searched for this movie for years as it is a classic of the 2nd World War. I was very disappointed when it would not play on two different DVD players nor on my computer. Apparently this movie is not authorized to play in this region of north America including Canada, and it will not play on our systems. So why on earth would Amazon sell a product in north America that cannot play in this market. I have returned the item and am waiting for a refund. Beware of the "REGION" where a purchase will play. There is NO indication/warning in the advertisement that this product will not play in this region.

Why would some one send me a video in a format i cant watch in Canada. Still looking for someone with a British machine to give it to.

This was a great story. Enjoyed watching it again. Been a long time.Would use this dealer again. What more can I say.

An old, but good movie that was purchased for my mother-in-law who enjoys old movies with great stories to watch.

Caught on film is the incredible story of a young British pilot, who lost both legs in an aircraft accident in the interwar years. The story encapsulates his indomitable spirit to get back into a cockpit, especially as Great Britain was at war with Nazi Germany and needed fighter pilots so badly in the dark days of 1940. Kenneth Moore, who portrays the young Douglas Bader, is convincing in the role of this double amputee, who not only beat the odds to fly as a fighter pilot and later a squadron leader in the Royal Air Force, but managed to escape from a German Prisoner of War camp after being shot down. A must-have for any war buff and a wonderful story about the power, strength and triumph of the human spirit over physcial disability.

A wonderful story!

My only comment is that when I was buying this move it did not state in the description that the DVD was a PAL version. So I can't view it on my Canadian DVD player. I did watch it on my PC and it is a super movie but would have loved to have watched it on my large screen TV.

"Reach for the sky" is a very good movie about a real time war hero, who was a an air ace. I now own two copies of this movie due to an attempt to buy one for this continent. Alas, it only seems to have been made for the UK. What a pity. You'd think that someone could be enterprising enough to import it here.