Biffer

Hello Folks,

I'm a big fan of British aviation, as well as British films. I'd welcome members' recommendations for great British films with an aviation/airline theme, especially from the 1950s/'60s era.

One of my all-time favourites is "Out of the Clouds" (1955), with Anthony Steele doing his 'chiselled-jaw' routine and the wonderful James Robertson Justice as an airline captain, barking at the engineers to get his engines fixed. Marvellous!

There's a film I remember seeing on the telly-box some years ago, made in the '50s, which featured many scenes at an RAF airfield and great shots of contemporary jet fighters, like the Vampire and (possibly) Swift. Can't remember the title, though. Does anyone know it ... ?

Thanks for your thoughts

Biffer

DB7

Conflict of Wings?

Freddy

Could it have been 'The Sound Barrier' made in 1952, directed by David Lean and featuring Ralph Richardson?

regards

Freddy

penfold

The Sound Barrier?? 1952, David Lean...if not, it's recommended...also No Highway, James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich in a tale of aircraft design and metal fatigue, from the Nevil Shute novel....Shute having been an aircraft engineer, it's pretty good..

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Biffer

Conflict of Wings? Of course! John Gregson and a bunch of well-known stalwarts confront the RAF about low-flying over a bird sanctuary. Nice one, DB7. Off to surf the interblob for a copy .....

Many thanks,

Biffer

DB7

Can't think of too many set in terminals or airports but on the disaster front you have another Ealing film, The Night my Number Came Up and Gainsborough's Broken Journey. With a more soapy approach there's The VIP's. There's also a brief glimpse of I suppose what would be BOAC (?) in Bristol in Some People.

penfold

That would be the BAC at Filton, and it's a fascinating sequence...

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

image45

Is this one available

"Seya next time!"

penfold

At a price... Amazon.co.uk: Hobson's Choice / The Sound Barrier [1954]: DVD: Charles Laughton,John Mills,Brenda De Banzie,Daphne Anderson,Prunella Scales,Richard Wattis,Derek Blomfield,Helen Haye,Joseph Tomelty,Julien Mitchell,Gibb McLaughlin,Philip Stainton,Dorot

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Chris B

Hi there I have got the Sound Barrier on dvd if you want a copy,
other items of interest are the look at life series on civil aviation and the cold war jets. email direct if you are interested all the best Chris

Rob Compton

I don't know if your interest extends to documentary, but take a look at DD's catalogue at DD Home Entertainment – A great choice of DVDs and videos They sell many aviation titles, including an interesting series of wartime RAF "unseen" documentaries in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum. The site is very useful as you can preview some of the items for sale.

rgds
Rob

Biffer

Thanks, Rob. The "DD" catalogue is indeed a very interesting thing to peruse. Only downside is finding the cash to order all the things I'd like (sigh!). Ah, well, now where did I put that Christmas Wish List???

Biffer

Freddy

There is also the excellent 'Cone of Silence' starring Bernard Lee and Peter Cushing. The film was inspired by actual events surrounding surrounding the Comet jetliner.
Have a look at IMDb for further info.

regards

Freddy

Biffer

Thanks, Freddy. That sounds like a very interesting film. Searched the interblob for it but no luck. Anyone got a good DVD copy??? :

Biffer

DB7

Watched this and agree that it's an engaging tale. Probably shot at Brisol Siddeley's Filton airport base.