One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942)

Directors:

Michael Powell
Emeric Pressburger

Writers:

Emeric Pressburger (story)
Michael Powell (written by) ...

Release Date:

27 June 1942 (UK)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Tagline:

1942s first blast of screen dynamite

Plot:

When the Nazis shoot down a British bomber, its crew seeks help from the Dutch underground.

Plot Keywords:

Resistance | Netherlands | Aviation | WWII | Patriotism

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Godfrey Tearle	...	Sir George Corbett, Rear Gunner in B for Bertie
Eric Portman	...	Tom Earnshaw, Copilot in B for Bertie
Hugh Williams	...	Frank Shelley, Observer / Navigator in B for Bertie
Bernard Miles	...	Geoff Hickman, Front Gunner in B for Bertie
Hugh Burden	...	John Glyn Haggard, Pilot in B for Bertie
Emrys Jones	...	Bob Ashley, Radio Operator in B for Bertie
Pamela Brown	...	Els Meertens
Joyce Redman	...	Jet van Dieren
Googie Withers	...	Jo de Vries
Hay Petrie	...	The Burgomaster
Selma Vaz Dias	...	Burgomeister's wife (as Selma Van Dias)
Arnold Marlé	...	Pieter Sluys
Robert Helpmann	...	De Jong
Peter Ustinov	...	The Priest
Alec Clunes	...	The Organist

Also Known As:

...One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (UK) (alternative spelling)
The Story of - - - - - - one of Our Aircraft Is Missing (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

102 min | USA:82 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Dutch

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Boston, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Company:

Archers, The

Trivia:

John Seabourne Sr. directed the "Lobster Pot" scenes in the North Sea despite being seasick the whole time.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The Germans are wearing First World War uniforms and equipment.

Quotes:

[As RAF bombers approach.]
Jo de Vries: You see. That's what you're doing for us. Can you hear them running for shelter? Can you understand what that means to all the occupied countries? To enslaved people, having it drummed into their ears that the Germans are masters of the Earth. Seeing these masters running for shelter. Seeing them crouching under tables. And hearing that steady hum night after night. That noise which is oil for the burning fire in our hearts.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975)

A different kind of war movie

Good flick; a different perspective (night bombing) than most of the air force world war two movies-12 O'clock High or Memphis Belle, for instance. Worth the price of admission to see Peter Ustinov thin (and young!)