Nominated for two Academy Awards, One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing is a dramatic and suspenseful World War II action story based on the actual methods by which the Dutch smuggled 'crashed' British airmen back to England.

During the Allied Bombing offensive of World War II the public was often informed that "A raid took place last night over ..., One (or often more) of Our Aircraft Is Missing". Behind these sombre words hid tales of death, destruction and derring-do. This is the story of one such bomber crew who were shot down and the brave Dutch patriots who helped them home.

review:
'One of the best war films produced World War II, `One of Our Aircraft is Missing' is the product of one of the best British filmmaking teams of the 1940s, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. The makers of such unusual and memorable films as `The Red Shoes' and `Black Narcissus', Powel and Pressburger's films were never like anyone else's. Their approach to a wartime propaganda film was equally different.

`One of Our Aircraft is Missing' begins dramatically with the crash of an RAF Vickers Wellington bomber designated `B-For Bertie', and then flashes back to the events leading thereto. The viewer is introduced to the six members of crew, and learns that they had actually bailed out of their crippled aircraft prior to the crash, landing in Nazi-occupied Holland. The remainder of the story describes their escape back to Britain.

What makes this film different from the conventional Hollywood treatment of similar subject matter is that `One of Our Aircraft is Missing' stresses the courage and resourcefulness of the Dutch civilians rather than the aircrew. Indeed, it made manifestly clear that the British crew could never have escaped without the assistance of a great many ordinary Dutch people of all ages and both sexes. The characters, both British and Dutch, are all well drawn Surprisingly enough, even the Germans are depicted as not entirely inhuman. `They want to be liked', says one Dutch patriot who has wormed her way into their confidence by posing as a Quisling.

From a historical perspective, this film is of interest due to its depiction of RAF Bomber Command operations during the early part of World War II, as well as details of the interior of the famous Wellington Bomber. It is also worth seeing as early example of the work of legendary film director David Lean (`Oliver Twist', `Bridge Over the River Kwai', `Lawrence of Arabia', Doctor Zhivago', Ryan's Daughter', etc), who served as Film Editor. There is also an early performance by a very young (and thin) Peter Ustinov, who acts in Dutch and Latin as well as English. All in all, this film is well worth a look. ' - IMDB


Directors:
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Writers:
Emeric Pressburger (story), Michael Powell,

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

Country:UK
Language:English | Dutch | German (only a few words) | Latin (only a few words)
Release Date:27 June 1942 (UK)
Also Known As:The Story of - - - - - - one of Our Aircraft Is Missing See more »
Filming Locations:Boston, Lincolnshire, England, UK
Runtime:102 min
Sound Mix:Mono
Color:Black and White



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