With the talent involved, I just knew Bomber Harris would be a treat and it did not disappoint. Production values-wise, some may not find it the most appealing with its confined theatre sets-like look, personally it wasn't a problem at all- they are admirably accurate and evoke the period very well, the way it's photographed at least shows someone with skill- as here it's not the production values that are most important but the story and Bomber Harris himself. Both of which are done wonderfully in this drama. The music cleverly uses music of the WWII period which gives it an evocative and nostalgic approach, likewise with the hauntingly melancholic Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, matching equally the harrowing images seen on screen, seen with the use of footage of bombing raids. Bomber Harris is brilliantly written, the script is filled with lines that are thought-provoking and inspiring, Harris being shown with his qualities and his faults with no extremities. The story is compelling throughout and will suit anybody regardless of how much or how little you know of the man, it is really interesting for those new to the subject and want to know more and people already familiar with it will admire how Bomber Harris never tries to be one-sided or open-or-shut. Harris was a very controversial person(which I think was a potential problem for the story, sometimes the more controversial the person or subject the film or drama is on the more difficult they would be to portray without insulting), and Bomber Harris shows that clearly through not making him either a good or bad person. Not just that but instead of outright saying that he was good or bad Bomber Harris leaves it to the viewer to decide, which aside from how the story was executed was what made the drama as interesting as it was. The direction keeps things running smoothly, and the supporting cast are great particularly Robert Hardy who plays Churchill as if born to play him. But aside from the quality of the writing and storytelling, the best thing about Bomber Harris is the lead performance of John Thaw, Thaw was one of Britain's greatest actors in my view who was never less than good(again opinion) and judging from his mesmerising performance here this has to be one of his best performances. All in all, wonderfully done in all areas. 10/10 Bethany Cox
