Today’s quick review: Battle of Britain. In 1940, as British troops pull out of France, Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding (Laurence Olivier) prepares the Royal Air Force to defend Britain against an inevitable German assault. Squadron Leader Canfield (Michael Caine) leads a group of fighters stationed in southeast England. Meanwhile, Squadron Leader Colin Harvey (Christopher Plummer) tries to reconcile with his wife Maggie (Susannah York).
Battle of Britain is a historical war drama about the titular battle during World War II. Battered and outnumbered, the British air force attempts to counter German raids targeting their airfields and, eventually, London itself. Battle of Britain is a sprawling movie that chronicles an ever-changing tactical situation from a variety of perspectives. Impressive aerial combat, interesting subject matter, and an ensemble cast make the movie a solid hit.
Battle of Britain is notable for its scope. The movie covers several months of World War II, including the lead-up to the German assault, the initial raids against British airfields, and the British attempts to adapt to German tactics. As a chronicle of a pivotal segment of World War II, the movie is successful. Lavish aerial battles bring the action to life, while its expansive story allows it to cover major developments and more personal moments.
However, these strengths come with a price. Like other war movies, Battle of Britain gives the audience a lot to keep track of. The named cast numbers in the dozens, many of whom only have a minor role to play, and there are very few characters that the movie follows for any length of time. The result is a series of vignettes rather than a cohesive story. Battle of Britain has plenty of drama, but the drama is not as cohesive as it could be.
Battle of Britain is a strong choice for fans of war movies. It captures the key developments of a turning point in World War II, and its air battles give it plenty of spectacle. Still, Battle of Britain is not a very focused movie when it comes to its story, so fans of the more personal side of the genre may be disappointed.
For a similarly detailed portrait of a British military operation during World War II, try A Bridge Too Far. For a more in-depth treatment of the evacuation of Dunkirk, try Dunkirk.
[7.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064072/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for tense aerial battles and historical significance.