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High Flight

  • 1957
  • Approved
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
309
YOUR RATING
High Flight (1957)
DramaWar

The Commanding Officer of an RAF Training School must deal with a difficult cadet, but the cadet reminds the C.O. of himself when young.The Commanding Officer of an RAF Training School must deal with a difficult cadet, but the cadet reminds the C.O. of himself when young.The Commanding Officer of an RAF Training School must deal with a difficult cadet, but the cadet reminds the C.O. of himself when young.

  • Director
    • John Gilling
  • Writers
    • Joseph Landon
    • Ken Hughes
    • John Gilling
  • Stars
    • Ray Milland
    • Bernard Lee
    • Kenneth Haigh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    309
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Gilling
    • Writers
      • Joseph Landon
      • Ken Hughes
      • John Gilling
    • Stars
      • Ray Milland
      • Bernard Lee
      • Kenneth Haigh
    • 20User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos13

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    Top cast45

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    Ray Milland
    Ray Milland
    • Wing Commander Rudge
    Bernard Lee
    Bernard Lee
    • Flight Sergeant Harris
    Kenneth Haigh
    Kenneth Haigh
    • Tony Winchester
    Anthony Newley
    Anthony Newley
    • Roger Endicott
    Kenneth Fortescue
    • John Fletcher
    Sean Kelly
    Sean Kelly
    • Cadet Day
    Helen Cherry
    Helen Cherry
    • Louise
    Leslie Phillips
    Leslie Phillips
    • Squadron Leader Blake
    Kynaston Reeves
    • Minister for Air
    John Le Mesurier
    John Le Mesurier
    • Commandant
    Jan Brooks
    • Diana
    Jan Holden
    Jan Holden
    • Jackie
    Richard Wattis
    Richard Wattis
    • Chauffeur
    Andrew Keir
    Andrew Keir
    • Valetta Instructor
    Charles Clay
    • Colonel
    Noel Hood
    • Tweedy Lady
    George Woodbridge
    George Woodbridge
    • Farmer
    Frank Atkinson
    Frank Atkinson
    • Parker
    • Director
      • John Gilling
    • Writers
      • Joseph Landon
      • Ken Hughes
      • John Gilling
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    5.6309
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    Featured reviews

    10vawlkee_2000

    I'll keep this short and sweet!

    I'd never heard of or seen this film until recently on You Tube. Yes it's there! I've seen a lot of aviation films, some poor and some very good and others in between. This one copped a "9" on my scale.

    They don't get much better then this, the perfect proportion of humor and drama that always keeps you wanting more! What else could you ask for in a genre film about aircraft and the men that man them.

    Great acting and the aerial photography is excellent. Seeing the RAF in the 50's in glorious Technicolor and Cinemascope is not to be missed!

    I can't recommend this film too highly! It's on You Tube and there's no excuse to miss it! Happy landings!
    6kaye129

    High Flight

    Can anybody tell me if this is the film that Anthony Newley fly,s a model flying saucer into the officers mess while on a pilots course at RAF Cranwell?.I must have seen this film in the early 60,s and the aircraft used would bring back many memories of watching 111sgn practising for the next season as the RAF display team. I am sure that any Pilot/Aircrew that went through RAF Cranwell in the 50/60,s would find this film of interest. I am also very interested in obtaining a copy in any format either the B/W or colour version.

    The film was made by Warwick Film productions and directed by John Gilling.
    10blane-coulcher

    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
    jvdesuit1

    A wonderful memory

    I saw this movie when it was released in Paris. I was 16 and after watching the movie a whole afternoon, at that time in Paris you could enter a theater and stay as long as you wished, I wanted to become a pilot. Circumstances made it that I've never been one...

    I think Robert J. Maxwell here is very unjust with this movie. Just try to put yourself in the situation of movie making of the late 50s. The movie was shot in Cinemascope and released either in color or B&W as stated here. Cinemascope required a huge equipment especially lighting as at the time the sensitiveness of 35mm film was not very high if you wished to have the best definition possible. The camera used were also heavy and not easy to move, just like television cameras at that time.

    You cant compare the conditions of shoot in those days with the extraordinary conditions we have today with light cameras, CGI and all the computer devices at the disposal of the movie teams today.

    It's a pity on youtube that the movie has been cropped to fit the 16:9 ratio. It's a betrayal of all the work of the Director of photography as well as of the director. This kind of adjustments should not be tolerated.
    7betamol

    High Flight starring Ray Milland

    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.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The squadron seen as the aerobatics team is 43 Squadron. The airbase which poses as R.A.F. Wunsdorf in West Germany is in fact R.A.F. Leuchars in Fife, home base of 43 Squadron.
    • Goofs
      When they fly over Lincoln cathedral it's actually Liverpool's Anglican cathedral.
    • Quotes

      Roger Endicott: Good morning sir!

      Wing Commander Rudge: Endicott - it's a salute I want from you, not a weather report.

    • Alternate versions
      TCM print is shown in a version which is 86 min., color and panned and scanned and not the Cinemascope original
    • Soundtracks
      'High Flight' March
      Composed by Eric Coates

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1958 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kameraden der Luft
    • Filming locations
      • RAF Leuchars, Fife, Scotland, UK
    • Production company
      • Warwick Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 29m(89 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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