VHS Movie Reviews for Battle of Britain

Battle of Britain

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VHS Movie Reviews of Battle of Britain

Movie Review: ONLY BUY THE COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD
Summary: 5 Stars

I'd just like to point out that the poor reviews criticizing the DVD version of this film do NOT apply to the Collector's Edition DVD.

All errors have been corrected. I do believe it is now safe to get rid of your old VHS copy. Although there are still a couple differences such as:

1. The DVD is in widescreen format
2. The subtitles are in a different font and larger. (I recommend toggling the subtitles, and turning on the Closed Captioning instead)

And of course the DVD also boasts superior image and sound quality. Plus it features the option to use the original William Walton score.

(As an unspoken bonus, the chapter selection seems strategically designed to cleanly skip any romantic/drama scenes with Susannah York)

The 2nd disc contains several worthwhile documentaries and an interview with an old RAF squadron leader.

Rest assured this new special edition is the definitive and ultimate version of the greatest air combat movie of all time--The Battle of Britain

Movie Review: Very Disappointing
Summary: 1 Stars

I had never seen this movie before purchasing it as a DVD. I was hesitant to buy it because some of the reviews are less than flattering; but, the cast is so impressive that I thought surely the reviewers' criticisms are somewhat picky. Wow, was I wrong. This is one of the absolute worst movies I have ever seen. I watched it in stunned silence. The whole thing was disjointed, bouncing from one scene to another without proper lead-up. I was frequently lost as to what was happening in terms of who was doing what to whom, and when and where. Personal relationships between the "players" are not properly developed; they seem to be literally thrown in there at random. The music during the final air battle incomprehensibly changed from a martial type to a more symphonic type -- it was totally inappropriate. All those great actors must be embarrassed that their "names" are associated with this movie. What a waste. About half way through, when it was apparent to me that this was a real clunker, and that I had been "had," I wanted to stop watching, but I stayed with it to the end I guess to totally confirm my disbelief more than anything. At least the quality of the video was fine. I never intend to watch this again, unless it's to show it to someone else to get his/her reaction. Amen.

Movie Review: Disappointing NTSC DVD
Summary: 3 Stars

This is one of my favorite films also, and, alas, I must agree with the reviewers who have complained about the NTSC DVD editions. Five stars for the film itself but only three overall for this release because of all the senseless mucking up.

The original US (NTSC) version was issued a few years ago without the extras disc, and the so-called "collector's edition" uses this same version with those terrible credits, and simply adds the extras disc and the third track commentary by Bernie Williams (no, not that one!) and Guy Hamilton.

The commentary and discussion of how they shot the battle and flying sequences in '68, and how they turned a few Spits, Hurries, 109s, etc., into whole air fleets is fascinating and a real credit to these imaginative film makers. No computer-generated fakery here! While I love computers and much of what they can do in films today, for live-action "period" films it's frequently detrimental. (As opposed to films like the Spiderman series where CG effects belong and are wonderful.) Often today it seems to be used because--well, We Can! And for no other reason. Don't mean to say we should turn back the clock, but the kind of imagination required to make a film like this one nearly 40 years ago, leaves one mightily impressed by these movie-makers.

However, I digress.

The PAL DVD edition includes the extras disc and commentary, and the film itself is identical to the NTSC laser disc version which was issued by Image in 1989! Why they didn't simply use the laser disc edition of the film for the US (NTSC) DVD escapes me. It isn't as if we didn't have the material available.

The criticisms re the opening and end titles and the music are--as our cousins would say--spot on, as are the criticisms of the placement and use of the subtitles. Many more titles in the US DVD version vs. the PAL, by the way. Not to mention a repeat on both US versions of the DVD (NOT on the laser disc) of one of my favorite translations. In the opening sequence at the airfield in France as the RAF is clearing out, one of the French on the phone declares that he's at his "winds end," according to the subtitles! Presumably, of course, meaning "wit's end." Gotta love that!

IF you DO have the US (NTSC) VHS or laser disc version, keep them. This "collector's edition" almost isn't worth it. I say almost because, as one other reviewer put it, there's something irresistible about this film, and it's so well done, weaving documentary-like fact with dramatization to give us a real feeling of what it must have been like for The Few, that I can't say don't own it. But be aware some very silly people did some very bad things to the re-issue, and this kind of fiddling really annoys me. Grrrr.

Movie Review: NEVER HAVE SO MANY OWED SO MUCH TO SO FEW
Summary: 4 Stars

First, look at the long list of stars who are in this film. I don't have room to list them all, but they are BIG names. You might want it just for that alone.

This was the day of wood, wire and fabric Spitfire and Hurrican airplanes and pilots with lambskin "shearling" Irvin jackets. The aircraft and flying scenes are extremely realistic. The movie even takes you inside the German Heinkel bombers. It's very authentic.

The film seems to end somewhat abruptly but that's forgivable because of all the other content.