Rent The Dam Busters (1955)

Classic British War Drama - The Dam Busters review by GI

A very famous and entertaining British war film about the well known bombing raid on the Ruhr Valley dams. The actual raid was a huge morale booster for the British at the time and the film captures the sense of achievement. But ultimately this is an uplifting film rather than an actual portrayal of the events where very little strategic significance was achieved. Richard Todd, a major British star at the time, plays Wing Commander Guy Gibson, affable and much loved by his men who is given the task of training for the raid which involved using a new and bizarre invention, a bouncing bomb. (The real Gibson was an unpopular martinet). The bomb has been invented by the eccentric Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave), a genius engineer, who becomes obsessed with the notion that destroying the dams will win the war. The film is roughly in three sections that all fit perfectly; Wallis' coming up with the idea and then persuading the higher ups to go along with it, Gibson and his men training for the mission and the climax of the mission itself. This is a classic British war film, well structured and highlights the plucky British airmen as well as the boffin who is slightly bonkers. A great British support cast and keen eyed viewers will spot early appearances of Robert Shaw and Patrick McGoohan. And of course there is the modern day issue with the name of Gibson's dog! Overall this is a great war film especially about bomber command. Interestingly the coda of the film gives a lot to reflecting on the aircrews who died in the raid but doesn't mention the large amount of German civilians who died as a consequence of it. Still a film that all good film lovers should make sure they see, it deserves rediscovery.

Classic film goodness - The Dam Busters review by giantrolo

A compelling retelling of the Dam Busters tale - and loved finding out some historical film-related factoids afterwards, like: the lady taking the tank measurements in the testing phase was actually Barnes Wallis' daughter in real life! Highly recommended!

War Classic. - The Dam Busters review by Steve

Thrilling WWII  action film which has become a document of British national identity. This account of the audacious bomber raid on strategically important dams in the German industrial heartland breaks into three distinct acts: the conception of the bouncing bomb by Barnes Wallis; the formation of 617 Squadron led by Guy Gibson to deliver the unique explosive; and the attack itself.

While the film is incredibly compelling throughout, it is the procedural realism of the night time mission which is most dramatic. And yes, iconic. Sadly, the models and effects reflect financial and period limitations, but the documentary style of Michael Anderson's direction overcomes this impediment. It is stirring, but credible.

The casting of Michael Redgrave as Wallis and Richard Todd as Gibson is inspired. Erwin Hillier's imposing aerial photography of the Lancaster raid is also a huge strength. But what most elevates the action is Eric Coates' stirring, heart pounding musical theme, the Dambusters March, which has transcended the film to become an unofficial national anthem.

It was too soon for the narrative to closely evaluate the raid's validity and unintended consequences, though it does reflect at length on loss of life in the RAF. Curiously it finds time to exaggerate the developmental drag of bureaucracy; perhaps a political dig. But it endures as a patriotic drama that memorialises the ingenuity of the inventor and the bravery of the squadron.