Aviation In Film History: The Battle of Britain

This film was a 1969 British production released in the United States by United Artists. It's notable for its accurate portrayal of the five month long conflict that ended Hitler's plan for a land invasion of the British Isles. In addition, it is remembered for its extraordinary aerial combat scenes featuring more than 100 period aircraft and scores of scaled models. The final confrontation over London has been described as one of the finest recreations of its kind on film.

There is a dynamite cast led by Laurence Olivier, Curd Jurgens, Trevor Howard, Patrick Wyman, Christopher Plummer, Michael Caine, and Ralph Richardson. The film was scored by Sir William Walton and Ron Goodwin.

Though The Battle of Britain lost out on major awards, it ranks near the top of the list among aviation enthusiasts for its honest portrayal of a signature struggle in Western history, its exciting score, and those 100 original World War II aircraft. Here is the trailer:

Once you hear a Spitfire with a Merlin engine, you never forget it.