High Flight | |
---|---|
Directed by | John Gilling |
Screenplay by | Ken Hughes Joseph Landon John Gilling Jack Davies (story) |
Produced by | Irving Allen Albert R. Broccoli Phil C. Samuel |
Starring | Ray Milland Kenneth Haigh Anthony Newley Bernard Lee |
Cinematography | Ted Moore |
Edited by | Jack Slade |
Music by | Douglas Gamley Eric Coates (High Flight March) [1] Kenneth V. Jones Walford Davies (composer) Anthony Newley (composer) [N 1] |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes colour (Europe) 86 minutes black and white (US) |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
High Flight is a 1957 CinemaScope British Cold War film, directed by John Gilling and starring Ray Milland, Bernard Lee and Leslie Phillips. [3]
The title of the film was derived from the 1941 poem of the same title by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr., an Anglo-American aviator who flew for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and lost his life in 1941 over RAF Cranwell, where much of the film was shot. [4] [N 2]
A group of flight cadets arrive at RAF Cranwell to begin a three-year training course to become RAF pilots. Amongst the group is Tony Winchester who makes a memorable entrance by landing his civilian Taylorcraft Auster aircraft with his girlfriend aboard on the RAF runway just ahead of a de Havilland Vampire jet trainer piloted by Wing Commander Rudge.
During the Second World War, Winchester's father had been Rudge's commanding officer and was killed protecting Rudge, who had disobeyed orders. Winchester is a difficult individual who harbours animosity towards Rudge over his father's death. Another of the aspiring pilots is the scientific minded Roger Endicott who is also determined to create a working flying saucer. Endicott's flying radio-controlled model develops difficulties and crashes into the middle of a Bishop's tea party.
Winchester doesn't learn the meaning of teamwork and is nearly killed when he disobeys orders, flying into a storm. Rudge demands his resignation but reconsiders, remembering his own rash behaviour had been the cause of the death of Winchester's father. Rudge ultimately selects Winchester to fly in a precision aerial team training for the Farnborough Airshow. When the squadron is temporarily posted to a forward base in West Germany, Winchester flies close to hostile territory near the inner-German border and is nearly shot down by East German anti-aircraft guns firing across the border. The wounded airman and his stricken aircraft are rescued by Rudge, who brings him back safely to a crash landing at his home base. Finally, Winchester comes to understand his role in the RAF and that he is part of a team effort.
As appearing in screen credits (main roles identified): [6]
Actor | Role |
---|---|
Ray Milland | Wing Commander Granite Rudge |
Bernard Lee | Flight Sergeant Harris |
Kenneth Haigh | Anthony "Tony" Winchester |
Anthony Newley | Cadet Roger Endicott |
Kenneth Fortescue | John Fletcher |
Sean Kelly | Cadet Day |
Helen Cherry | Louise Dawson |
Leslie Phillips | Squadron Leader Blake |
Duncan Lamont | Weapons Corporal |
M. E. Clifton James | Field Marshal Montgomery |
Kynaston Reeves | Air Minister |
John Le Mesurier | Commandant |
Jan Brooks | Diana |
Jan Holden | Jackie |
Frank Atkinson | Parker |
Ian Fleming | Bishop |
Nancy Nevinson | Bishop's wife |
Grace Arnold | Commandant's wife |
Hal Osmond | barman |
Bernard Horsfall | radar operator |
George Woodbridge (actor) | farmer |
Irving Allen and Albert Broccoli commissioned Jack Davies to write a screenplay about the present day Royal Air Force. Davies visited various RAF stations in Britain and Germany as well as the RAF College at Cranwell. "To say that I was impressed with what I saw and learnt was an understatement", said Davies. "These young men who fly daily at supersonic speeds are the flower of our youth. They work hard and they play hard." [7] Ken Hughes worked on the script [8]
Photography was originally scheduled around No. 111 Squadron RAF, nicknamed "Treble One" or "Tremblers", stationed at RAF Wattisham. The squadron was in the process of, or had been recently selected as the Royal Air Force Fighter Command Aerobatics Display Team, which became known as the Black Arrows. [9] Film of the team at the 1956 Farnborough Airshow was featured. [10] When inclement weather interrupted filming at their home base, the production moved to RAF Leuchars in Fife. Scotland, base of No. 43 Squadron RAF. RAF Leuchars later stood in for RAF Wunsdorf in West Germany. Principal photography which began on 10 April 1957, also took place at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, using not only the facility but also film of the graduating ceremony of a training course, as well as RAF Chivenor, Devon, United Kingdom.
The use of RAF Percival Provost piston and de Havilland Vampire T.11 jet training aircraft and operational Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft heightened the authenticity of the film. [11] During the course of production at RAF Leuchars, a Hunter "wheeled up" which allowed the film crew to use the wreck to simulate a Hunter crash. When the RAF did not allow the film crew to use an operational airframe as a camera aircraft, one Hunter was converted into a "PR" version, specially modified at great cost, to carry a forward-facing Cinemascope camera. A screen was drawn on the front windscreen of the camera Hunter with a chinagraph crayon. The pilot was instructed to fill the windscreen with aircraft. Additional air-to-air shots were taken from an Avro Lincoln bomber. [12] [N 3] Other aircraft visible in the film include Handley Page Hastings transport aircraft and Bristol Sycamore helicopters.
The casting of Ray Milland was typical of the Warwick Films productions, in using the star power of a Hollywood actor but in the case of Milland, he was also well suited to the film and its subject matter. During the 1930s and into the 1940s, the Welsh-born actor had moved to Hollywood and during the Second World War, had served as a civilian instructor for the United States Army Air Forces. [4]
The film had a Gala World Premiere on 12 September 1957 at the Empire, Leicester Square. Released in England during Battle of Britain Week, High Flight did not fare well with critics. The film was a commercial success, leading to a studio re-release in 1961. [13]
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Saddled with an absurd story concerning an irascible air cadet and a Wing Commander with a guilt complex, High Flight never really recovers from its banal central situation; also its emphasis on the glamour and high jinks of R.A.F. life sometimes gives it the appearance of a gaudy recruiting poster. Neither is the playing especially convincing: Ray Milland gives a tired and curiously strained performance, while Kenneth Haigh is made to repeat the more tiresome characteristics of his stage Jimmy Porter. The flying scenes, however, are entirely praiseworthy, being expertly shot and, in the concluding scenes, notably well composed for the wide screen." [14]
Flight magazine noted that the aviation theme dominated, with 40 minutes of film time devoted to flying sequences. [12]
Later reviewers commented that the film was "... well written and acted. Lots of authentic jet flying sequences". [11]
Leonard Maltin wrote: " (a) stale British drama of recruits in training for the RAF ... Last reel, in the air, (was the) only exciting part." [15]
Although rarely seen on television and at times the US version, only in black and white, is broadcast, a DVD in colour is now available. [16]
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' only jet aircraft to engage in combat operations during the Second World War. The Meteor's development was heavily reliant on its ground-breaking turbojet engines, pioneered by Frank Whittle and his company, Power Jets Ltd. Development of the aircraft began in 1940, although work on the engines had been under way since 1936.
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force (RAF) based at RAF Waddington. The team was formed in late 1964 as an all-RAF team, replacing a number of unofficial teams that had been sponsored by RAF commands.
Janusz Żurakowski was a Polish fighter and test pilot. At various times in his life he lived and worked in Poland, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
The de Havilland DH 112 Venom is a British post-war single-engined jet aircraft developed and manufactured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. Much of its design was derived from the de Havilland Vampire, the firm's first jet-powered combat aircraft; it was initially referred to as the Vampire FB 8 prior to the adoption of the Venom name.
Royal Air Force Cranwell or more simply RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England, close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. Among other functions, it is home to the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), which trains the RAF's new officers and aircrew. The motto, Altium Altrix, meaning "Nurture the highest" appears above the main doors of the Officers Mess. Since January 2023, RAF Cranwell has been commanded by Group Captain Tina Jessup.
Royal Air Force Barkston Heath or RAF Barkston Heath is a Royal Air Force Relief Landing Ground under the command of RAF Cranwell near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England.
Number 4 Squadron, normally written as No. IV Squadron, is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. Since November 2011, it has operated the BAE Hawk T2 from RAF Valley, Anglesey, Wales. The squadron provides weapons and tactics training for student pilots after they have completed their conversion to jet aircraft with No. XXV(F) Squadron. Between 1970 and January 2011, No. IV Squadron operated various marks of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier and British Aerospace Harrier II.
An Air Experience Flight (AEF) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to cadets from the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. As of 2019, thirteen AEFs are active.
Number 43 Squadron, nicknamed the Fighting Cocks, was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron originally formed in April 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It saw distinguished service during two world wars, producing numerous "aces". The squadron last operated the Panavia Tornado F3 from RAF Leuchars, Scotland, in the air defence role, until it was disbanded in July 2009.
Number 16 Squadron Royal Air Force, nicknamed 'the Saints', is a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) who currently provide elementary flying training (EFT) with the Grob Tutor T1, presently based at RAF Wittering, an RAF airbase in Cambridgeshire, England.
The Grob G 115 is a general aviation fixed-wing aircraft, primarily used for flight training. It is built in Germany by Grob Aircraft. The E variant with a 3-blade variable pitch propeller is in service with the Finnish Air Force, the Royal Navy and Army Air Corps for Flying Grading and in the Royal Air Force as part of No. 6 Flying Training School which provides flying to both University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights to Cadets of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. As of 2020, the Tutor is still being used by the RAF for some Elementary Flying Training (3FTS) but is due to be phased out in favour of its replacement, the more advanced Prefect T1.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith Alec Williamson, was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force. He served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Meteors in a ground attack role during the Korean War. He was a squadron commander and then a station commander during the 1960s and a senior air commander in the 1980s. He was Chief of the Air Staff during the early 1980s at the time of the emergency airlift of food and supplies to Ethiopia.
The Central Flying School (CFS) is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 at the Upavon Aerodrome, it is the longest existing flying training school. The school was based at RAF Little Rissington from 1946 to 1976. Its motto is Imprimis Praecepta, Latin for "The Teaching is Everlasting".
The RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine is a medical organisation run by the Royal Air Force and based at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire. It is the main organisation conducting aviation medicine research in the UK.
No. 6 Flying Training School RAF is a Flying Training School (FTS) within No. 22 (Training) Group of the Royal Air Force that delivers flying training to University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights.
Squadron Leader Edward Alan Tennant DFC was a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot who later became chief test pilot of Folland Aircraft.
John Frederick Farley, was a British fighter pilot and test pilot for the Royal Air Force who was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his work in aviation. As a test pilot, he was heavily involved in the development of the Hawker Siddeley P.1127 and latterly the BAE Harrier. During his aviation career Farley flew over 80 different types of aircraft and was the first British pilot to fly the Mikoyan MiG-29.
This is the structure of the Royal Air Force, as of October 2020.