Battle of Britain - Definitive Edition [1969] | ![Battle of Britain - Definitive Edition [1969]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PC3-O%2BYyL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Guy Hamilton
Actors: Laurence Olivier, Trevor Howard, Michael Caine, Edward Fox, Ralph Richardson
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: £12.99
Buy New: £4.20
You Save: £8.79 (68%)
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Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 2163
Format: Anamorphic, Box Set, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 127 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6
EAN: 5039036030717
ASIN: B000M3421I
Theatrical Release Date: 1969
Release Date: April 23, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
There's something about this film that's so irresistible, despite its grandiose manipulation. Maybe because it recounts the greatest air battle in history, achieving the greatest aerial battle in film history. Maybe because it has such a terrific cast (Harry Andrews, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Curt Jurgens, Laurence Olivier, Nigel Patrick, Christopher Plummer, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Robert Shaw, Patrick Wymark, and Edward Fox). Maybe because it's so technically well-made, thanks to the Bond team of producer Harry Saltzman and director Guy Hamilton and the great cinematographer Freddie Young. Or maybe because there is something truly riveting about watching the British kick the Nazis back to Germany. --Bill Desowitz
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| Customer Reviews:
 The definative depiction of war in the air July 2, 2008
Hood1941 (United Kingdom)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This film is a winner on three counts. It brings together most of the best actors of a generation, it uses the real aircraft which took part and it was overseen from a historical perspective by pilots who flew in the battle, (Stanford Tuck, Douglas Bader and Adolph Galland amongst them).
It tells the story of the summer of 1940 with peerless aerial photography (no naff pearl habor CGI) and superbly well staged ground action such as the London Blitz and the airfield attack. I found all of the central characters thoroughly believable with the performances of Sir Larry as 'Stuffy' Dowding and Robert Shaw's Squadron leader being outstanding. This is a film I can drag out and watch every 18 months or so and it never fails to enthrall and move me. There should have been more Hurricanes than Spits and the Me 109's shouldn't have had Merlin engines, but what the hell. It's well directed, beautifully shot and above all it's FACTUAL!
 needs a remake May 16, 2008
steppes (outer mongolia)
2 out of 17 found this review helpful
by the end of the swinging sixties, britain was no doubt to make a british version of the star studded war epics filtering out of hollywood. so who better to do it then the chaps who brought you the Bond franchise. although this is suitably star studded (even dear old kenneth more is it in) it really is something that should be left to the americans. although there are some fair amount of visual aeronautics at work, and a great story such as 'britains finest hour' needs to be told, sadly this is not it. one can tell that the big guns came out only because of the subject matter, although one will learn nothing new here that hasnt been told often enough. actually the screenplay can be summed up in about 5 minutes. there is nothing memorable and it is just a slog trying to get from A to B. one wonders what id the point of having star names if they have nothing to do except hang around in the scenery and disapear without any story arc relating to them. even the flying sequences become tiresome after a while. its about time that this got a proper remake. sad it can only be done with american money, and only if it was them that did it! shame.
Battle of Britain January 1, 2008
Hugh McPhilemy (Scotland)
5 out of 14 found this review helpful
A more or less accurate retelling of the chronology of the events but if your believe this film, the Battle of Britain was fought between an assorted group of late marque Spitfires on one side & Me109's & He111's on the other. Contrast the facts where Hurricanes made up two thirds of the British side and Do17's Me110',s JU88's equalled or outnumbered He111's. Because of the obvious lack of available aircraft, most of the German aircraft were sourced from the Spanish Air Force with the penalty that both Me109's & He111's were powered by (what irony) Rolls Royce engines and just don't look right. Models are also used (JU87's) and this is painfully obvious as are the numerous repeats in the air combat sequences. Note to director,reversing the direction or shooting from a different angle does not really work.
Bandits at 12 o'clock! December 10, 2007
Steerforth (Sussex)
14 out of 18 found this review helpful
This film has many faults, from the 1960s haircuts of many of the cast to the slightly two-dimensional characters. However as a war film this is one of the best with an exciting, fast-paced narrative, brilliant action sequences, stirring music and a wonderful cast.
As a William Walton fan I was outraged when I discovered that his film score had been rejected and that Ron Goodwin was commissioned to compose a new one. Walton was one of our greatest composers and I was glad to see that this disc also gave the option of seeing the Battle of Britain with its original score. However, after hearing Walton's music I have to say that Goodwin's is the better score. See what you think.
HEROES OF THE SKIES September 19, 2007
Nevs (uk)
9 out of 17 found this review helpful
Visual feast. The brave lads (and ladies) of the RAF see of the Hun over the Channel and very likely won the war in the long run.
Great cast and, for the date, effects as Spitfires and Hurricanes knock Herman's boys out of the sky. It recreates just how close we were to being bombed into surrender and but for a tactical blunder by Adolf, we may now be speaking German and driving German cars (well we kept them out but the cars are good, let's be honest)
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