Battle of Britain Overview:

Battle of Britain (1969) was a Action - Drama Film directed by Guy Hamilton and produced by Harry Saltzman, Benjamin Fisz and John Palmer.

BlogHub Articles:

Battle Of Britain – part 8

By Tom on Feb 3, 2013 From The Old Movie House

Gripes and Kudos Laurence Olivier played Sir Hugh Dowding Trevor Howard played Sir Keith Park Ralph Richardson played ... Read full article


Battle Of Britain – part 7

By Tom on Jan 28, 2013 From The Old Movie House

The All Too Real and Some nice touches Germany attacked and bombed London ruthlessly and randomly. No one was safe, and no place was free of the possibility of being bombed. If it was English it was fair game. What you’re about to see are screen captures from the film, and some actual photos o... Read full article


Battle Of Britain – part 6

By Tom on Jan 27, 2013 From The Old Movie House

The Pilots Even though it was called The Battle Of Britain it’s a popular misconception to think the pilots who flew for Britain were entirely British. Even though the vast majority were indeed British (2,500) they did get a great deal of help from 147 Poles, 101 New Zealanders, 94 Canadians, ... Read full article


Battle Of Britain – part 5

By Tom on Jan 22, 2013 From The Old Movie House

What happens next is a very ordinary human fault . They got lost. A German air crew with a desire to return to their respective homes early drops their bombs on what they think isn’t London. The navigator doesn’t seem to have a clue where London is. He says it’s six kilometers b... Read full article


Battle Of Britain – part 4

By Tom on Jan 20, 2013 From The Old Movie House

A Stuka crashing at Ventnor radar station The scan below is a depiction of the radar system Britain had at the time of the Battle Of Britain. It’s from the book by Karen Farrington entitled World War II – Ground, Sea & Air Battles. If you want to look at it in detail would might be w... Read full article


See all Battle of Britain articles

Quotes from

Squadron Leader Skipper: How many time have I told you - never fly straight and level for more than 30 seconds in a combat area!
[pauses]
Squadron Leader Skipper: You call your wife?
[Andy shakes his head slightly]
Squadron Leader Skipper: All right, boy! Get in!
[cocks his head toward his small maroon Austin Ascot 12/6]


Sgt. Pilot Chris: [the British Spitfire pilots are having an easy time shooting down the feared German Stuka Dive Bombers] It's like shooting rats in a barrel.
Squadron Leader Canfield: *You'll* be "in a barrel", if you don't watch out for the *fighters*!


[With the aid of an interpreter, Edwards has berated the Polish pilots for attacking German bombers against orders, before pulling a telegram out of his pocket]
Squadron Leader Edwards: Finally, and God alone knows why, I've received the following signal:
[looks down]
Squadron Leader Edwards: "Congratulations! As of today, this Squadron is operational." Signed, Air Vice Marshall Keith Park, AOC 11 Group
[the men start cheering, and Squadron Leader Edwards smirks, before the scene changes to Dowding's office]
Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding: I was wrong about the Poles.
Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: We also have the second Polish Squadron.
Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding: [Donning his cap] I *thought* you'd mention them. Allright, make them operational.
Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: And the Canadians?
Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding: And the Czechs. We need them *all!*
[They exit]


read more quotes from Battle of Britain...

Facts about

The planes used as Bf 109s were actually Spanish Hispano HA-1112 Buchons. Basically a Bf 109 with a Rolls Royce Merlin engine, the nose of the plane looks completely different that of a German Bf 109.
According to the book written about the making of the movie the production crew used more ammunition (blanks of course) to film the movie - due to the fact that directors re-shoot scenes numerous times - than were actually used in the real battle.
Many mock-ups of Spitfires and Hurricanes were made in the months prior to filming. Some had lawn mower engines fitted and could be taxied around the airfield, but if they braked too hard they would flip up onto their nose. This happened several times in front of the cameras and some of the footage was eventually used in the film.
read more facts about Battle of Britain...
Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
Also directed by Guy Hamilton




More about Guy Hamilton >>
Also produced by Harry Saltzman




More about Harry Saltzman >>
Also released in 1969




See All 1969 films >>
More "World War II" films



See All "World War II" films >>
More "Aviation" films



See All "Aviation" films >>