Hurricane

As I have spent most of my adult life living around the Northolt area I am very aware of the debt my country owed to the brave few who protected Britain from the Luftwaffe in the summer of 1940. Northolt base was the home to 303 Polish squadron this film is an almost fitting tribute to those courageous men. Unfortunately, although a well intended film, I think it could have been so much better if given a bigger budget, This really looks like a low budget made for TV movie. If the makers had given a little more care and attention to the story line which was a a bit 2 dimensional as it depicts The British pilots as arrogant toffs that hated the Pols and the Pols as melancholy aggressive drunks. This was mostly false as the fatigued British pilots and officers were aware that they needed all the help they could get. My grandfather told me that the Polish pilots were always polite and good humoured when dealing with the locals and other members of the armed forces in the area. This is represented in a small scene , but nowhere else.

Most of the performances are good and save a rather bland script that could have done with a little more spit and polish.

This could also be said for the special effects used to recreate the aerial battle sequences. The CGI went from OK to bloody awful video game graphics. But I could over look this as despite the films flaws as it is a fascinating true story and well worth a watch.