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Reach For The Sky on DVD (1956)

Reach For The Sky cover art
Average rating: 75%
11112111120210
3.5
from 568 members
 
Starring: Kenneth More, Muriel Pavlow, Lyndon Brook, Lee Patterson, Alexander Knox
Director: Philip Leacock
Studio: ITV DVD
Run time: 136 mins
Certificate: U
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama
Languages: English
Hearing-impaired: English
Released: 14/04/2003
Also Available on:  Also Available on: DIGITAL

Brief synopsis of Reach For The Sky

Reach For The Sky tells the remarkable story of Douglas Bade, a talented pilot who lost both his legs in an air crash in 1931. After his accident, Douglas learnt to walk with two artificial limbs and flew again during the Battle Of Britain.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

While many of Hollywood's tales about heroism during the Second World War were tainted by smug patriotism and unwelcome sentiment, postwar British cinema tended to handle the events of the conflict with fidelity and dignity, thanks no doubt to its worthy documentary heritage. This inspiring tale of unassuming courage is one of the finest in a proud tradition. Lewis Gilbert masterfully makes the drama as compelling as the action sequences, and Kenneth More gives the performance of his career as Douglas Bader, the cocky pilot who overcame the loss of his legs in a pre-war flying accident to become one of the RAF's most decorated heroes.

Rating of 1 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Box-office exploitation of one man's personal heroism, adequately but not inspiringly put together with many stiff upper lips and much jocular humour.

Time Out

Chocks away, Smithy. Maudlin, overlong, hero-worshipping stuff, with More waddling pathetically around on artificial... Read more on www.timeout.com

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsClassic War Movie EVERYONE Should See

Avid Avid from Coalville , 06/12/2004

This is such a classic movie that has been close to my heart since i was a small child. It brings a tear to my eye thinking what one man went though just to fight for king and country.

People should watch this film when ever they think that they cant do something, it sure makes me realise that i can do anything i put my mind too. Pure brilliance. A must for all to see.

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Rated - 5 starsInspiring

A customer from Northern Ireland , 04/10/2005

Can only say what others have said, nothing is impossible! An arrogant man in reality, but sure had awsome determination.

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Rated - 5 starsEven better than I remember

Stewart1973 from Surrey , 06/01/2004

Watching Reach for the Sky as a child was brilliant. Even better nows its available on DVD, a must see for all classic film buffs.

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Rated - 3 starsHam in the Sky

paulius from Lancashire , 04/05/2005

Don't get me wrong . I love this film. It's just the thing for a lazy weekend afternoon when the weather's dodgy. Battle of Britain at its best ( nearly) and a true hero to boot, or rather minus two boots.

The trouble is Kenneth More. Just a tad too gung ho for even the stiff upper lip brigade. If I was in his squadron I would have throttled him long before the jerry took his legs away. Mr More does servile well...The Admirable Crichton is testimony to this. I know he was a mate of Bader's but this performance should have tested that friendship to its limit.

But at the end of the day its a cracking yarn and all the better for being (almost) real. And any film that celebrates the phenomenal achievement of the 'few' has got to be good ...in my book.

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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsEven better than I remember

Stewart1973 from Surrey , 06/01/2004

Watching Reach for the Sky as a child was brilliant. Even better nows its available on DVD, a must see for all classic film buffs.

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Rated - 3 starsReach for the channel changer

RJNeb2 [Highly rated reviewer] , 24/11/2007

The inspiring true story of pilot Douglas Bader, who lost both his legs in a flying accident and went on to become one of the ace pilots of WWII is given a rather uninspired treatment for the big screen. No stiff upper lip cliche is left untouched as plucky (and frankly rather irritating) More battles on in his determination to get back up on his prosthetic feet. It goes on way too long as well.

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