MGM - The Making of Battle of Britain (2004) Part 2 Authenticity In The Air

The Greatest Air Battle of World War II, Battle of Britain is a salute to the fighter pilots of the RAF and Luftwaffe that brings a splendid, lasting reality to this legend of the sky–a sixteen-week duel that changed the course of history. “Spitfire Red Leader here. I have sighted our visitors.” Once again Messerschmitts and Heinkels winged above the calm English countryside, but this time there was a difference… It was May 1968 and the stage was set for the spectacular flying sequences of one of the biggest, most costly films ever made. Filmed at a cost of S20,000,000 USD, the Harry Saltzman Production “Battle of Britain” recreates with stunning vividness the dramatic air battle that saved Britain in World War II. To re-create some of World War II's most desperate air battles, Harry Saltzman and S. Benjamin Fisz, the producers of “Battle of Britain,” assembled what became the world's third largest air force—more than 100 Spitfires, Hurricanes, Heinkels and Messerschmitts. The resulting scenes are a real cinematic achievement, as aerial photography and as special effects. These sequences of the dogfights over Dover, the disintegration of planes in mid-air, the graceful tactics of evasion are more than just technically stunning. They also are beautiful, in the completely impersonal way that the spectacle of machines can be beautiful. As trained combat pilots in actual Spitfire and Me-109 fighter planes of World War II reenact the blazing combat in the sky, a cast of the most celebrated names in film under the direction of Guy Hamilton shapes the vast panoramic story of those who fought. “Battle of Britain” is a homage to those airmen who, in 1940, broke the back of the threatened Nazi invasion. The film is based on the book “The Narrow Margin” by Derek Wood and Derek Dempster (1961).

Part 2 Authenticity In The Air

1. “Authenticity In The Air” is 22 minutes of reminiscences by Aerial/2nd Unit Assistant Director Garth Thomas, and Bernard Williams about the assembly of the world's 35th biggest airforce for the shooting of the movie, and how Hamilton filmed those memorable airborne sequences. 2. “A Film For The Few” is a 19 minute presentation with Guy Hamilton and other film crew members about the burden of portraying the Battle of Britain without compromising the memory of the people who fought and died in the Battle and the Blitz. 3. “Recollections of an RAF Squadron Leader” is an eight minute interview with a Squadron Leader Basil Gerald Stapleton, one of the outstanding fighter pilots of the Battle of Britain, accounting for nearly 20 enemy aircraft destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged. 4. “Images From The Air” is a 3 1/2 minute photogallery with music presented by Aerial Unit Production Manager Bernard Williams.

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