Reach for the Sky

1956

Action / Biography / Drama / War

9
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 88% · 5 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 88% · 500 ratings
IMDb Rating 7.2/10 10 3204 3.2K

world war ii pilot biography based on true story black and white accident

Plot summary

The true story of airman Douglas Bader who overcame the loss of both legs in a 1931 flying accident to become a successful fighter pilot and wing leader during World War II.

Director

Lewis Gilbert Photo
Lewis Gilbert

Top cast

Howard Marion-Crawford Photo
Howard Marion-Crawford as 'Woody' Woodhall
Jack Watling Photo
Jack Watling as Peel
Nigel Green Photo
Nigel Green as Streatfield
Sam Kydd Photo
Sam Kydd as Warrant Officer Blake
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
1.17 GB
1280*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
50 fps
2 hr 10 min
Seeds 3
2.17 GB
1920*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
50 fps
2 hr 10 min
Seeds 5

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by hitchcockthelegend 7 / 10

Legs or no legs, I've never seen such a mobile fireball.

After losing both his legs in a flying accident, Douglas Bader not only mastered the use of his artificial legs, he also astounded everybody by flying for the RAF again-leading the assault in the Battle Of Britain in the process.Reach For The Sky opens up with a disclaimer of sorts, the usual yadda yadda about certain events in Bader's life being altered in the name of entertainment. To which it should be mentioned that for a honest look at the man and his life, those interested should either read the biography that this is adapted from {written by Paul Brickhill), or source from many other available means. That said, Lewis Gilbert's film is in essence a true story. Yes it is true that some of Bader's known character traits are not fully formed, and yes the makers here were very clever in casting the hugely popular Kenneth More as Bader to ensure the film stayed away from Bader negativity. But it stands up as an uplifting film regardless of its supposed glorification of combat.Kenneth More gives it the whole kitchen sink, so much so that pretty much everyone else in the picture barely gets a look in. But to do down More for that would be grossly unfair, asked to carry the narrative entirely, he not only achieves that, but he also makes Bader an inspiration for many, and that has to be a good thing. It caught me personally at the right time, a time when I was feeling rather sorry for myself, so with that in mind the film definitely achieved its aims. Thematically strong and technically sound, Reach For The Sky is a recommended picture, but not, if you aren't prepared for some artistic license as regards the "hero" of the piece. 7/10
Reviewed by screenman 8 / 10

The Stuff Of Great Britain.

You could run out of clichés and superlatives to describe a man like Douglas Bader. Indomitable, a hero, an example to us all. Where to stop? This movie chronicles the wartime life of Bader the disabled pilot. Unlike most, he fought several wars. One was for his life after his legs were destroyed in a crash, another was to walk again without any visible support. A third was against the bureaucrats who insisted he would never fly again. And after all that, he took on the Luftwaffe. Whatever criticisms may be levied against his personal character, this man was such a tower of strength that those who seek to denigrate him stand like resentful pygmies in his shadow. I, for one, cannot begin to imagine the hardships he experienced from the loss of his athletic prowess to the agony of his time in hospital. Compared to them, shooting at German planes must have seemed like child's play. Though that experience alone was enough to break the spirit of many a whole-bodied man. There really was only one actor to play his part in a movie and Kenneth More was he. You might say he was born to it. I don't know how close he came to the real character of Bader, but neither he nor the movie seems to shy away either from his reckless courage or his self-centredness. We see  glimpses of the latter on the golf course when he won't give up, and has his wife - played by the excellent Muriel Pavlow - running and fetching the ball like a dog. At other times, he is tearing around in a Bentley with almost no regard for his passengers or the public alike. Even after he has been liberated from Germany, he can't give up the fight, and thoughtlessly pursues his dreams of combat east. Never once do we see him consult his wife's interests. Bader was a driven man. If not he would never have survived the crash, never have walked again without a stick, never have got into the air again. Single-minded? you bet. And you take it or leave it. This movie was made in 1956. As it's a post-war production there's no propaganda drum to beat. It can and does stick pretty-well to the story, and captures all of the social and cultural attitudes of the time like a miniature documentary. The combat scenes are also very well done.There was a time in this country when men like Bader set a standard to which most people at least aspired. It was the sort of foolhardy courage and selfless determination for which the Victoria Cross was struck.But not any more. Today's Britain really is 'Little Britain', and in more ways than one. It's people have slipped into a cynical, self-indulgent pathos. It has become fashionable to denigrate our true heroes for the simple reason that nowadays few could even begin to measure up to the standards of personal pride, civil responsibility, and social obligation that were once benchmarks of national behaviour. Today a hero is someone who can withstand abuse on reality TV shows. They can sing a 2-minute song more tunefully than their competitors. Or they can score goals in a football team. For all of these things they are applauded, honoured, and paid millions. If you're a foul-mouthed cook you can poison the nation's ears if not its bellies, if you're a one-legged, gold-digging woman you are entitled to millions of pounds towards which you have made not a penny's contribution. Today, a crippled warrior can expect less sympathy or compensation than an insulted criminal.There's no room for the right stuff in this country any more. Today we don't reach for the sky; we stoop to mediocrity. The money's better, it's a lot safer, and we don't make others feel inadequate.
Reviewed by Andrew Reed 8 / 10

Inspirational British World War II Air Force drama

What do you mean, you haven't seen this film? A classic World War 2 RAF adventure film depicting the true British spirit of one man's (Douglas Bader) fight to overcome the loss of both legs in a flying accident, to become a Wing Commander in the Battle of Britain. Lewis Gilbert keeps the film crackling along at a fast pace with Kenneth More, at the peak of his form, delivering the goods with a first rate supporting cast - don't miss it.
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