Summary
The story of the conception of a new British weapon for smashing the German dams in the Ruhr industrial complex and the execution of the raid by 617 Squadron 'The Dam Busters'.
Cast
Richard Todd
Wing Commander Guy Gibson, V.C., D.S.O., D.F.C.
Michael Redgrave
Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S.
Ursula Jeans
Mrs. Wallis
Basil Sydney
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris G.C.B., O.B.E., A.F.C.
Patrick Barr
Captain Joseph (Mutt) Summers, C.B.E.
Ernest Clark
Air Vice-Marshal The Hon. Ralph Cochrane G.B.E., K.C.B., A.F.C.
Derek Farr
Group Captain J. N. H. Whitworth, D.S.O., D.F.C.
Charles Carson
Doctor
Stanley Van Beers
Sir David Pye, C.B., F.R.S.
Colin Tapley
Doctor W.H. Glanville, C.B., C.B.E.
Frederick Leister
Committee Member
Eric Messiter
Committee Member
Laidman Browne
Committee Member
Raymond Huntley
Official, National Physical Laboratory
Hugh Manning
Official, Ministry of Aircraft Production
Edwin Styles
Observer at Trials
Hugh Moxey
Observer at Trials
Anthony Shaw
R.A.F. Officer at Trials
Laurence Naismith
Farmer
Harold Siddons
Group Signals Officer
Frank Phillips
BBC Announcer
Brewster Mason
Flt / Lt. R. D. Trevor-Roper, D.F.C., D.F.M.
Tony Doonan
Flt / Lt. R. E. G. Hutchison, D.F.C.
Nigel Stock
Flying / Off. F. M. Spafford, D.F.C., D.F.M.
Brian Nissen
Flt / Lt. A. T. Taerum, D.F.C.
Robert Shaw
Flt / Sgt. J. Pulford, D.F.M.
Peter Assinder
Plt/Off. G. A. Deering, D.F.C.
Richard Leech
Squadron Leader H. M. Young, D.F.C.
Richard Thorp
Squadron Leader H. E. Maudslay, D.F.C.
John Fraser
Flight Lieutenant J. V. Hopgood, D.F.C.
David Morell
Flight Lieutenant W. Astell, D.F.C.
Bill Kerr
Flight Lieutenant H. B. Martin, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C.
George Baker
Flight Lieutenant D. J. H. Maltby, D.S.O., D.F.C.
Ronald Wilson
Flight Lieutenant D. J. Shannon, D.S.O., D.F.C.
Denys Graham
Flying Officer L. G. Knight, D.S.O.
Basil Appleby
Flight Lieutenant R. C. Hay, D.F.C.
Tim Turner
Flight Lieutenant J. F. Leggo, D.F.C.
Ewen Solon
Flight Sergeant G. E. Powell
Harold Goodwin
Wing Comdr. Gibson's Batman
Patrick McGoohan
Guard at door (uncredited)
Peter Arne
Staff Officer to Air-Vice Marshal Cochrane (uncredited)
Edward Cast
Crew Member (uncredited)
Richard Coleman
RAF Officer (uncredited)
Brenda De Banzie
Waitress (uncredited)
Peter Diamond
Tail Gunner (uncredited)
Gerald Harper
RAF Officer (uncredited)
Arthur Howard
RAF Pay Clerk in NAAFI (uncredited)
Lloyd Lamble
Collins (uncredited)
Philip Latham
Flight Sergeant (uncredited)
Edwin Richfield
RAF Officer (uncredited)
Crew
Director
Michael Anderson
Author
Paul Brickhill
Author
Guy Gibson
Screenplay
R.C. Sherriff
Reviews
Geronimo1967
November 14, 2022
7
I think sometimes it is important to remember that even 10 years after the war was over, there was still an appetite - even a neccessity - for war stories that celebrated (ok, and frequently embellished) the successes of the many ordinary folk who fought in the war. This film is one such story. Based on real events and characters it is nonetheless a drama. It does manipulate the facts a little; though the use of bouncing bombs - innovatively designed from scratch - well, with a little help from Napoleon - by Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) to destroy three German dams on the Ruhr by a squadron led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson (Richard Todd) is fact. The film gradually demonstrates the frustrations as these devices are tested, of the dedication of those charged with delivering them and, of course, of the peril faced by the crews - many of whom were destined never to return. I saw this recently on television and the announcer apologised in advance for the "racist language" which i assumed referred to Gibson's dog. Strange it didn't see fit to apologise for the portrayal of indiscriminate death inflicted by both sides on the other. An odd, modern day irony only made possible by the exploits of the sorts of people and achievements this film sets out to commemorate.
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00
