Reach for the Sky

Douglas Bader (1910-1982) was one of Britain's most popular heroes of WWII, a celebrated combat pilot and Flight Commander. His triumphs during the Battle of Britain proved significant in the Allied victory. In 1941, after he was taken prison in German-occupied France, Bader caused headaches for the enemy with repeated escape attempts, and he was eventually confined to Colditz Castle, a prisoner-of-war camp reserved for such trouble-cases. And did I mention that he did all these things without the use of his legs? On December 14, 1931, Douglas Bader had crashed his aeroplane while attempting low-altitude maneuvers, sustaining such injuries that doctors were forced to amputate both legs. The characteristically resilient pilot later understated the gravity of his disaster with this laconic note in his logbook: "Crashed slow-rolling near ground. Bad show." Following the success of Paul Brickhill's biography, British director Lewis Gilbert (most noted for later directing several James Bond films) brought Bader's story to life, an inspirational testament to a man for whom "impossible" was not a word.

The natural comparison for 'Reach for the Sky (1956)' is Wyler's 'The Best Years of Our Lives (1946),' which starred a real-life war veteran (Harold Russell) who had lost both arms in combat. There are biographical distinctions, of course – Bader lost his limbs in peace- time, and later fought while "disabled" – but the basic theme of overcoming one's handicaps through hope and determination holds firm. Kenneth More {whom I recently discovered in the gripping Titanic docu- drama 'A Night to Remember (1958)'} brings a likable cockiness and fierce determination to the leading role. Bader's dogged resolve at times seems terse and even stubborn; his notion of success appears to hinge upon rejecting the helping hands of friends and loved ones. In his attitudes, there is a certain conceitedness, perhaps a necessary attribute for a pilot who rose to the military rank of Group Captain. More's portrayal certainly imparts these elements of vanity, but one can't help but be inspired by a man whose never-say-die outlook knows no bounds.

Muriel Pavlow plays Bader's wife, Thelma, a delicate woman who seems unfairly neglected while her husband chases his ambitions. Though given substantially less screen-time, the film's most interesting female character, I thought, was Dorothy Alison's nurse, who tends Bader back to health following his accident. Her appearance is brief, but incredibly subtle: just watch the series of conflicting emotions flicker across her face as Bader departs, love and sadness and everything in between. I had expected the nurse to make an appearance later in the film, but she appears to have been shunned permanently from Bader's life. This ties in nicely with the leading character: after resolving himself to be entirely self-sufficient, he must reject the one woman on whom he once relied so heavily. In Wyler's film, Russell's character accepts that he'll never be entirely independent, and it's only fitting that he should marry a woman who'll always be there to offer a helping hand. Bader rejects this helping hand; he's not much of a husband, but he is one hell of a battler.

This may rate as one of the classic war films.

A (fairly) true to life film, about Douglas Bader, who it is reported was a fairly arrogant person, though highly driven.

Kenneth More in the lead role, delivers his usual top notch performance, and they rest of the cast just seem to fit together the way they should.

The film covers Baders life, and the loss of his legs in a flying accident that was in truth of his own making, and then how he puts his life back together afterwards.

It shows an amazing spirit and determination, to the extent that he got back into the RAF and became a successful pilot and air tactition.

This film should be watched by other people who have had the misfortune of an amputation, and i don't mean that in a condescending manner, Bader showed what you can do if you put your mind to it, he wouldn't let his disability beat him.

A really good movie, easily watched more than once, and good for more than one reason.

After losing both his legs in a flying accident, Douglas Bader not only mastered the use of his artificial legs, he also astounded everybody by flying for the RAF again-leading the assault in the Battle Of Britain in the process.

Reach For The Sky opens up with a disclaimer of sorts, the usual yadda yadda about certain events in Bader's life being altered in the name of entertainment. To which it should be mentioned that for a honest look at the man and his life, those interested should either read the biography that this is adapted from {written by Paul Brickhill), or source from many other available means. That said, Lewis Gilbert's film is in essence a true story. Yes it is true that some of Bader's known character traits are not fully formed, and yes the makers here were very clever in casting the hugely popular Kenneth More as Bader to ensure the film stayed away from Bader negativity. But it stands up as an uplifting film regardless of its supposed glorification of combat.

Kenneth More gives it the whole kitchen sink, so much so that pretty much everyone else in the picture barely gets a look in. But to do down More for that would be grossly unfair, asked to carry the narrative entirely, he not only achieves that, but he also makes Bader an inspiration for many, and that has to be a good thing. It caught me personally at the right time, a time when I was feeling rather sorry for myself, so with that in mind the film definitely achieved its aims. Thematically strong and technically sound, Reach For The Sky is a recommended picture, but not, if you aren't prepared for some artistic license as regards the "hero" of the piece. 7/10

It's always encouraging to see the indomitable human spirit gain control against all odds. How easy it would have been for pilot Douglas Bader, played by Kenneth More here, to simply give in to circumstances, drop out of active life, and lead a limited existence all because of a dreadful plane accident in which he lost both legs. But he didn't choose to go that way, and with the advent of WW2 he managed to resume his active pilot career despite the fact of having artificial legs, and had more than a few adventures which he survived. I like this movie for its positive grasp of life and living, and shows that you can create your world if you have singleminded determination. Also of interest were the real life film footage of aerial manoeuvrings used from the war. I'd recommend this war movie any time.

The credits advise that some events and depictions of people/events have been altered for story telling purposes , so this film is not a strictly accurate history of Douglas Bader. Also played down somewhat is Baders arrogance and foolhardiness which lead to his disability in the first place. Still as a inspiration for disabled people and as an almost factual account of Baders life and as film entertainment , it's pretty good. Made reasonably close to the war years it is able to capture the feeling of those years quite well. It is a trifle 'stiff upper lip - what ?' but Kenneth More as usual turns in a good performance. Focusing mainly on Baders attempts, and resulting achievements in war time flying, after a crash means both lower legs have to be amputated. Quite gritty and not too sentimental this offering from director Lewis Gilbert stacks up well against similar films of the time.