kristhebass Reach for the Sky is one of many flag waving war films to come out of the UK in the 50's and 60's which include 'The Cruel Sea' - 'The Colditz Story' - 'Sink the Bismark' - 'The Malta Story' and many others. All thankfully free of the obligatory American who could never have been there anyway (didn 't often stop them crowbarring one in somewhere to enable a sale to the USA). I am a big fan of these films, the British were much better at that time of making war films, we didn't need John Wayne or anyone like him.The war was still very foremost in the minds of the British public and these films were often sugar coated. That included the character of Douglas Bader who was known to be arrogant at the very least and difficult to be with, not the wonderful chappie portrayed in this biopic. Granted Bader was still alive when this was made so it was probably politic to show him as mister nice guy despite being difficult on set. Having said that I can't take away his courage if not for Bader and others like him we would be speaking German now.So I wish there would be a remake with a more accurate portrayal of the subject, bad language and all. This time get someone closer in age to Bader than Moore (that's no criticism of his performance which, as ever, was excellent) he was far to old to play someone in their 20's. There are many young actors who could fill these boots, check out Matthew Winters, he has the right stuff.

bkoganbing It's sad that folks on my side of the Atlantic pond don't know about Douglas Bader and the inspirational figure that he is. Talk about overcoming handicaps, the challenge he met would have defeated most any other person.Kenneth More was at his career height in the British cinema when he played Bader in the biographical picture Reach For The Sky. We meet Bader first as a brash young recruit in the Royal Air Force who thinks he's going to teach the pros about flying. A nasty crackup by a reckless Bader leaves him with both legs amputated.But that's not going to keep Bader from a career in the Royal Air Force. The crash took place in the middle 30s giving him just enough time to mend and train to become a squadron commander in the RAF with more than his kills in the sky of the Luftwaffe before he was shot down over occupied France and made a prisoner for four years.Wikipedia paints a slightly different of a far more earthy Bader, one that would be known for his salty language which the British cinema even without the Hollywood Code would be loath to show. Probably if Reach For The Sky was made today with someone like Russell Crowe in the lead we'd get Bader warts and all.Even laundered Reach For The Sky is a fine tribute to one who would be a hero in any country. The United Kingdom was lucky to have Douglas Bader answer his country's call in their finest hour.

toonnnnn The story of the British air ace Douglas Bader,an inspiring film after all these years.Douglas Bader was an extremely fit sporting young man,who at the peak of his physical prowess lost his legs in a plane crash.The first part of the film establishes his determination not to be beaten by his handicap.Golf proves away to challenge himself,he also finds a wife.Bored with his life in an office,the out break of WW2 gives him the chance to fly again.Determined to get in the RAF he has medicals and gets back in.Bader is given a squadron of disillusioned flyer's,initially they oppose him, but having seen him fly they are won round.A difficult man Bader takes short cuts to get the equipment he needs for his squadron upsetting some of his superiors.However his tactics are brilliant and before long he is in charge of five squadrons inflicting heavy losses on the German air force during the battle of Britain.On one flight his plane is shot down,Bader escapes by leaving one of his false legs behind.The RAF drops of a spare,in spite of all his difficulties he manages to escape three times .Bader never let a chance go to bait the German guards even inspecting them before heading to Colditz castle.The performance from Kenneth More in the title roll is excellent,given good support from Muriel Pavlov and Nigel Green.I would like a remake,as after all these yeatrs it could be more honest,brutal and would make a big star of the leading actor.

alembic The credits advise that some events and depictions of people/events have been altered for story telling purposes , so this film is not a strictly accurate history of Douglas Bader. Also played down somewhat is Baders arrogance and foolhardiness which lead to his disability in the first place. Still as a inspiration for disabled people and as an almost factual account of Baders life and as film entertainment , it's pretty good. Made reasonably close to the war years it is able to capture the feeling of those years quite well. It is a trifle 'stiff upper lip - what ?' but Kenneth More as usual turns in a good performance. Focusing mainly on Baders attempts, and resulting achievements in war time flying, after a crash means both lower legs have to be amputated. Quite gritty and not too sentimental this offering from director Lewis Gilbert stacks up well against similar films of the time.