High Flight

My father was one of the cadets in the film as he was an RAF pilot with No1 and then No2 Squadrons. I am not sure what squadron he was in when the film was made (maybe still at Cranwell), but I remember the orange LP of the soundtrack with a picture of my dad on the back.

He also served as a liaison office with the USAF in the 60's in MacDill AFB in Tampa

I now live in Australia but went to his 70th last week at which many of his old squadron colleagues attended.

Does anyone have a copy of the film? Would love to get it for him.

Blane Coulcher

I was interested to read this comment, as I was serving in the Royal Air Force on the Squadron where the film, or a good part of it was made. The squadron was Treble One, 111 (F) Squadron, then stationed not far from London at North Weald. I think Americans would refer to it as a 'Pursuit' Squadron. Treble One was then in the process of, or had been recently selected as the Royal Air Force Fighter Command Aerobatics Display Team, which became known as the Black Arrows. We often displayed at Air Shows along with The American Air Force team known as The Sky Blazers. Poor weather conditions during the making of the film made it necessary for some of the filming to be done elsewhere. I remember seeing the film and would love to be able to get a copy of it. I do agree however that the story line was typical of British films for that era with its undertones of Cold War, and the readiness state of the RAF in particular. I think that the flying sequences were generally good, though some were done in the hangar using a backdrop of blue sky and clouds. It would be hard to imagine the lead role being played by any other than the quintessential British gentleman, Ray Milland. I would sure love to see the film again and own a copy, if only for retention in the Squadron Association archives. The Squadron is now based in Scotland flying the Tornado Mk3. They would be tickled pink to see the Hunter sequences as also would our 'Boss' from those days Roger L. Topp, who retired from the RAF as an Air Commodore with the Air Force Cross and TWO bars. He now lives in retirement in Norfolk, UK. If you learn where I can get a copy of the film either on VHS or DVD please let me know ASAP. Many thanks.

I was, in fact, at RAF College Cranwell in the early sixties as a cadet and yes, we all saw the film. Your points about Tony Newley are, if I can remember back that far, correct and it was meant to be taking place at the College although I believe much of the filming went on at a Norfolk or Suffolk fighter base such as Middle St George or Waterbeach. Initial flying training was done on Piston Provosts then going onto Vampires or Meteors dependent a lot on height (if long legged it was hard clearing the cockpit if ejecting in Vamps). We did our training on Jet Provosts 3 and 4's as the syllabus changed from being flying intensive to academic intensive. Kenneth Haigh was also in it. Wouldn't mind seeing it again either.

..because the flying scenes are terrific.

Another one of those older movies that could be seen on TV years ago and can't be seen at all anymore. Pity.

The story is somewhat weak what with the stiff-upper-lip Wing Commander riding a new charge at his training wing (who just happens to the son of a squadron-mate from his old unit in the last war (WWII).

Now it's trial by a new fire as the "old man" feels he has to exercise restraint in reining in the young flyer's antics in order to assuage his conscience about an incident that led to the death of the kid's father.

As usual, the British seem to get what makes a movie about flying right with wonderful air-to-air shots of Hunters, Vampires, Provosts and the like. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, this probably isn't the movie for you, anyway.

If you can ignore the "Cold War" overtones and some continuity errors (young pilot takes off in a DH-115; dashes about the sky in a DH-100 and lands back again in a DH-115) you may find this one at least a passing fancy.

Back in the 1940s, Hollywood made a few films about cadets in the air corps, such as "I Wanted Wings" and "Captains of the Clouds". "High Flight" is very much like these films but it is set in the UK and was made a decade later.

The story follows a group of cadets through training with particular emphasis on a young, cocky and very talented man who has a connection to the commander (Ray Milland). Again and again, the commander makes allowances for the cocky jerk but you wonder how long all this is going to happen until something dreadful occurs.

The best thing about this film are the aerial sequences...which look great, especially in color. But the film is also a bit clichéd and the sequence involving the UFO and the party is just god-awfully bad. Worth seeing but awfully familiar.