Wicked Lady

I'm sitting here watching (and taping) Appointment in London with Dirk Bogarde and have been struck by how many similarities it has to The Dam Busters.

Looking it up on IMDB, apparently Bogarde said his character was based on Guy Gibson, but the similarities go way beyond that. This film has the same look, the same sets, plane footage, exteriors and even a number of the same actors as The Dam Busters but pre-dates it by 2 years! Even the chap manning the phone in the war room with Wallis and Bomber Harris in Dam Busters is doing the same role in Appointment in London.

The dog is strangely absent.

But, it has to be said: Dirk's upper lip is nowhere as stiff as Toddy's.

orpheum

I am reading Enemy Coast Ahead and Dambusters the story of guy Gibson simultaneously!

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Wicked Lady

Do you find the two books have conflicting information or are they a good match?

716Jones

It is quite possible that Dirk Bogarde's character is based on Guy Gibson as the originator and co-writer of the script was John Wooldridge who served as a flight commander on 106 Squadron under Gibson. Wooldridge also wrote the music for Appointment in London. Talented chap!

Incidentally, orpheum, which edition of Enemy Coast Ahead are you reading? The original edition, published in 1946, or the recent publication of Gibson's original manuscript. This was apparently edited before publication in 1946 and some of Gibson's rather blunt comments removed.