The Lion Has Wings

The Lion Has Wings - 1940 | 75 mins | Drama | B&W

The Production Team

Director: Michael Powell, Adrian Brunel, Brian Desmond Hurst and Alexander Korda.
Producer: Alexander Korda.
Associate Producer: Ian Dalrymple.
Script: Adrian Brunel and E.V.H. Emmett. (from a story by Ian Dalrymple)
Cinematography: Osmond Borradaile, Bernard Browne and Harry Stradling Sr.
Editing: Henry Cornelius and Charles Frend.
Art Direction: Vincent Korda.
Production : David B. Cunynghame.
Sound: A.W. Watkins.
Music: Richard Addinsell.
Music Direction: Muir Mathieson.

The Cast

Ronald Adam - Bomber Chief
Archibald Batty - Air Officer
Ivan Brandt - Officer
Anthony Bushell - Pilot
Ralph Richardson - Wing Cmdr. Richardson
Lord Bernard - Miles Observer Controller
June Duprez - June
Merle Oberon - Mrs. Richardson
Flora Robson - Queen Elizabeth

Plot Synopsis

A semi-documentary, opening with scenes of everyday life in 1937 Britain and focusing on families who have connections with the Royal Air Force, in particular Wing Commander Richardson, his wife and their young Canadian cousin Bobby who is engaged to Merle's friend June. As the Nazi rise in Germany spreads across Europe, so in 1939 war is declared. The RAF is shown ready to defend the nation, raiding Kiel before the film closes with a demonstration of Britain's defences against air attack.

This picture was sponsored by the Ministry of Information and produced in six weeks by Alexander Korda, can best be described as a tour de-force... it is a supreme example of what can be done by skilled cutting and direction. Even more, it admirably fulfils its object - to inspire quiet confidence in the hearts of those who see it.