A few questions:
1 – I’m a film student and last year whilst researching through old copies of a TV listings magazine, the New Zealand Listener, from the early 1970’s, I noticed a really interesting programme. It was a making of the film Battle of Britain. According to the write-up it featured behind the scenes footage and also interviews with real BoB pilots. From memory it was an hour long special. I’d love to see this, and wondered if anyone else had seen it or whether it has ever been released on a video or DVD with the film? I have to add I was amazed that they even had such bts programmes in those days, probably made 1969 I guess. Were they common?
2 – When Memphis Belle was released there was a great doco about the making that also featured interviews with the real Memphis Belle crew and footage from the Wyler film. Sadly I only caught the last half on video. Has this ever been released commercially? I bought the DVD today of the film, and was saddened to find it wasn’t on it as an extra (istead they put the film on both sides, one in regular, one in widescreen)
3 – when I was a kid I saw a film called Friend of Foe, about two English kids during the war who find and help a downed German pilot during the Battle of Britain. Has anyone else seen this obscure film? I hardly remember a thing about it. Was it good? Did any Spitfires or Buchons appear in it?
Cheers
Dave
By: DazDaMan - 12th March 2004 at 12:50
Got it.
Dave – I think a number of ex-BofB pilots were technical advisors to the film crew, so obviously their input was vital: Bob Tuck, Adolf Galland, Ginger Lacey, and I’m sure one or two others. They’re bound to be in the documentary.
As an aside, there’s a good photo of Ginger standing alongside John Isaacs with his prototype replica Spitfire in JOI’s book “Aeroplane Affair” 🙂
The book “Machine Gunners” was really good – remember reading it in high school.
By: DazDaMan - 12th March 2004 at 12:40
Rob – que? :confused:
By: Dave Homewood - 12th March 2004 at 12:35
Hi Daz,
I shall definately have to get that DVD release somehow. I have a strong feeling that the documentary I read about was called Battle For The Battle of Britain, as mentioned here. I thought it said real BoB pilots featured too though. I recall there was a photo in the listings of a few old pilots visiting the set. I think they included Douglas Bader and Bob Stanford-Tuck from vague memory. The photo was what drew my attention to the listing.
As for the other film, the one I saw was definately a movie, not a series – we got it out from a video store. Here is the imdb page for it http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082420/
I want to see the Machine Gunners now too.
Cheers
Dave
By: DazDaMan - 12th March 2004 at 12:29
Me too! 😀
And a copy of Leonard Mosley’s book should hopefully be with me by Monday from Amazon! 🙂
By: DazDaMan - 12th March 2004 at 12:11
Mentioned elsewhere on the forum before, Battle of Britain is coming out on R2 DVD with a load of extras on it in May – extras include:
Audio Commentary By Director Guy Hamilton & Crew
The Original Walton Score
R.A.F. Recollections – A Real Survivor Tells His Story From The Battle (10 Minutes)
Authenticity In The Air – Aerial Sequence From The Film With Audio Commentary By Bernard Williams, The Choreographer (23 Minutes)
A Film For The Few – A Making-Of Featurette With Guy Hamilton, Michael Caine, Susannah York, Christopher Plummer And Bernard Williams (20 Minutes)
Battle For The Battle Of Britain – A Vintage Documentary That Aired On British TV Upon The Film’s Debut. Features Key Cast & Crew Members (57 Minutes)
Images From The Sky – Animated Photo Gallery With Film Score And A Short Intro By Bernard Williams (4 Minutes)
Original Theatrical Trailer & Cross-Promotional Trailers
Widescreen Anamorphic
Dolby Digital DTS
😀
David – there was, I think, a BBC series called “The Machine Gunners”, based on a book by the same name, about a bunch of schoolkids who manage to salvage a machine-gun from a crashed Heinkel. Later in the story, they come to the aid of a German pilot (or maybe observer) of a Messerschmitt 110. Didn’t see it, but I read the book!
By: Dave Homewood - 12th March 2004 at 11:44
Thanks guys. Yes, “Belle and the Glory Boys” is the one I was thinking of, though the other one on PlanesTV may also be interesting, and is tempting. Wish I wasn’t a poor student.
Interesting about the behind the scenes doco too Eric, thanks.
Cheers
Dave
By: Eric Mc - 12th March 2004 at 11:34
I thought that “The making Of…” film about “Memphis Belle” was called “Belle and the Glory Boys”.
“Making Of….” films have been around quite a while. In 1966, ITV made a “Making Of…..” TV documentary about the movie “Grand Prix” hosted by Alan Whicker.
Sign In
March 12, 2004 at 10:52 am