Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Kodie Bird True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Leofwine_draca Another day, another 1950s-era patriotic British WW2 movie with an ensemble cast of respected male actors and the odd female face (namely the formly Dinah Sheridan here). Dirk Bogarde once again places the introspective lead character, a bomber pilot jaded by the pressures of the war and the endless toll of men and planes lost on a daily basis. This is a film that focuses almost entirely on human rather than wartime drama, although there's a bit of stock footage inserted here and there. The calibre of the acting is enough to see this one through, although in an overloaded genre the tale was done better elsewhere.

Brucey D Appointment in London: It is 1943, and a Wing Commander of Bomber Command is fighting his personal demons whilst edging towards his 90th (and final) operation over Germany, flying Avro Lancaster bombers.To put this film into context it was made in 1952, from a story written by a WWII veteran who had himself survived over 100 operations. Most of the film's outdoor sequences were shot at RAF Upwood (http://www.rafupwood.co.uk/) which was at that time home to a squadron of soon-to-be obsolete Avro Lincoln bombers. These appear in the background and (at a distance) pass well enough as Lancasters, a few of which were of course used for the closer shots.Britain in 1952 was still suffering the after-effects of WWII; petrol had not long come off the ration, but rationing was to remain on many basic foodstuffs for another two years to come. Most folk didn't have two beans to rub together, yet the country faced the prospect of the developing Cold War, which could have turned hot at any time.Despite near bankruptcy, the UK was in the midst of developing it's V bomber force (the iconic 'Vulcan' had just made its maiden flight) and the nuclear weapons that they would carry; a product of the 'freedom at any cost' mentality which must have prevailed during WWII.Bomber Command's role in WWII is today in some danger of being overlooked. It should not be forgotten that for several years they were the sole means of striking back at the enemy, and that they arguably waged what remains the most costly air war ever fought; whilst the US Eighth Air Force suffered appalling aircrew losses (~26000 casualties), Bomber Command lost over twice as many, but from a smaller complement. Their losses averaged over 44%, and their daily losses were on occasion almost inconceivable, in some instances exceeding (say) the total losses of Fighter Command during the whole Battle of Britain.The effect of this air campaign will be debated for decades to come, but in round numbers -even without allowing for the bombing damage itself- it is estimated that at any one time it cost the Germans the use of about 1000 operational fighter aircraft, several hundred thousand men, about 10000 of the lethal 88mm gun (which was also one of the most devastating anti-tank weapons of WWII), millions of shells, and all the manufacturing facilities and infrastructure to support them.However Albert Speer (Germany's armaments minister during WWII) was in no doubt about the significance of the air war against Germany. Years after the war he is quoted as saying that "... No one has yet seen that this was the greatest lost battle on the German side".This is one of the few films that makes any real attempt to show what the bulk of Bomber Command's operations would have been like in 1943; night ops over Germany, with a high loss rate. The final operation in the film is portrayed as a mission against a secret weapon facility in Germany; this is quite realistic, echoing the real 'Operation Hydra' of August 1943, in which the V2 development facility at Peenemunde was bombed, causing significant delays to the missile programme.It is all played in a rather understated fashion in this film, and it perhaps lacks the drama of some other WWII films. (And of course there are a few goofs; e.g. the final scenes 'wartime London' show cars without blackout gear and a few 1950's unibody models...) Yet it is a very good, and rather significant film that is sadly underrated. Without films of this sort, important parts of our history may soon be forgotten.Near to me, there are still the remains of dozens of WWII airfields. In most cases they are just crumbling back into the landscape, home to little more than old ghosts and fading memories. I can't imagine what it would have been like over 70 years ago, but films like this can give you some idea.Definitely worth watching.

MartinHafer Some of the best war films have been movies about the Allied bombing campaign of WWII. "Command Decision", "12 O'Clock High" and "Raiders in the Sky" are all excellent films--though the latter is set at a British bomber base whereas the first two are about American bases. While I wouldn't quite put this film in the same level as the other two in quality, it is awfully close and well worth your time.The film centers around Wing Commander Mason (Dirk Bogarde). He's a very good pilot. However, his 87 missions is wearing on him and he's long overdue to be retired from the front line. Oddly, instead of being happy about this, Mason insists on being able to at least reach 90...and then he'll quit. The film is a nice portrait of Lancaster pilots and crew and because it was made not too long after the war, the filmmakers were able to use three airworthy bombers--which added to the realism.So why do I think this one isn't quite up to the level of the American films? Well, mostly because Mason just seems to take the whole thing in stride (apart from insomnia) and he seems amazingly well adjusted...taking away from the tension that DID come because the other two films focused so strongly on the emotional toll. Still, a nice tribute to these brave men and well worth your time.

zn1-58-147766 this is one of them films that really shows what the Bomber command boys were really at. we all get taught about the Battle of Britain and stuffy dowding, we rarely hear about how hard it was for those working for Bomber Harris, aircrews flying long jobs, the Squadron & wing commanders being pushed to the brink of destruction and beyond. but we also see the human side, WC mason is near the end of his tour of 90 jobs and is trying to keep his boys focused on the job both on the ground crews and in the air crews ,keeping their minds on the flying & Maintenance and not the women, which he thinks after one fatality and meeting the widow makes him realise he may be wrong, still he completes his tour and keeps his appointment. made in 1954 there were plenty of Lanc's still flying, today in 2011 there are 2 left in world flying and not many of the crews are left neither, My late neighbour was a Lanc Pilot, i didn't know till after he had died he never spoke of it, My grandfather was a hero in WW2 and so this neighbour..if anything when ever this movie comes on MAKE SURE THE KIDS WATCH IT.. we always remember the few of fighter command, this films makes sure we remember the Many....and is a testament to flyers like Guy Gibson and his many many comrades who died for us..today...WATCH THIS MOVIE