Let's Talk The Battle of Britain Movie - one of Lucas' references

SW Fanatics, let's talk "The Battle of Britain", an OUTSTANDING movie made in 1969 about that critical battle in WWII that lasted from July to October in 1940. For background, in mid-1940 after the Germans had defeated the Allies on the European Continent, they shifted their attention to "fortress England", through bombing raids initially targeting British air bases and radar sites. The young British pilots in their Spitfires and Hurricanes (think X and Y wings!) held off the Germans and eventually turned the tide, through use of their radar early warning system to vector fighters for intercept.

The movie of the same name, made in 1969, is one of my most favorite war movies of all time. If you haven't seen it, HIGHLY recommend getting a DVD/BluRay copy. It features many awesome actors/actresses including Michael Caine, Sir Laurence Olivier, Susannah York, Robert Shaw (remember him in Jaws?). The movie uses little to no "effects" (only some of the aerial explosions) with 100% of the flying scenes done by REAL aircraft with REAL sound, it is incredibly well done. They gathered nearly 100 aircraft including the only 12 flyable Spitfires and 3 Hurricanes, also they used 32 Spanish CASA bombers (for the German HE-111) and 27 HA-112 fighters (for the ME-109s)

Why is this movie important to us SW fans? Because Lucas stated in interviews that he watched WWII aerial combat movies in developing his ideas for the space combat between TIEs and X/Y/A/B Wings. He mentions this movie in particular. As you watch the clips below, you'll notice the similarities in the radio chatter between British pilots in this movie and the Rebel pilots during the Death Star run in ANH. Also, in case you did not know, this battle was absolutely critical to the success of the Allies in the War......if the British had lost, thereby losing air superiority over Britain, Hitler was going to pull the trigger on "Operation Sealion" , the invasion of Britain.....could have been catastrophic! @PongSolo interested in your thoughts on this movie....

"The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world except in the abodes of the guilty goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unweakened by their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of world war by their prowess and their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. - Sir Winston Churchill, Aug 21, 1940

This clip features AWESOME aerial combat scenes and radio calls evoking the Death Star assault. Also note the incredible score especially at the 2:37 mark

This is the opening of the movie, following disaster at Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain begins....note the awesome buildup of the Luftwaffe, love the score for this part, evokes the Imperial March from SW

 

Very very stirring.....as I said one of my favorites! Love the scene at the beginning, link below, when the German Ambassador tries to intimidate his British counterpart.....great quote "We're not easily frightened..."

 

@Kylo Solo I thought your signal was intercepted by rebel scum.....

 

@Addi Ras 633 Squadron has awesome scenes featuring the DeHavilland Mosquito , one of my fave WWII aircraft!