As is the case with Jack Hawkins and his role in The Cruel Sea (1953), this is the role Kenneth More was born to play. Everything before was a build-up to this role; everything after a slow descent to his untimely death at the age of 68 of parkinson's disease in 1982. The greatest compliment is that for many people More is Douglas Bader, the cocky pilot who overcame the loss of his legs in a pre-war flying accident to become one of the RAF's most decorated heroes in the 2nd World War. And while it doesn't strictly reflect real-life (it plays down Bader's arrogance and foolhardiness which lead to his disability in the first place), it doesn't matter as More's easy charm is just a joy to watch. More depicts with unerring skill the humour, friendliness and supreme fortitude of one of the war's most honored heroes regardless of the reasons behind him losing his legs in the first place. Compare this film to the now hopelessly dated Hollywood's tales about heroism during the Second World War which were tainted by smug patriotism and unwelcome sentiment. This film, like many post-war British war films tends to handle the events of the conflict with fidelity and dignity, thanks no doubt to its worthy documentary heritage. Yes, it's not strictly accurate but it sure as hell is more believable than its Hollywood counterparts. The director, Lewis Gilbert, masterfully makes the drama as compelling as the action sequences. When all is said and done, this is the story of courage, showing a man's triumph over physical disability and every obstacle raised to curtail his normal activities. It covers the career of Bader who, after losing both legs in a plane crash while stunting, succeeds in rejoining the RAF to become a Wing Commander in the 2nd World War and one of the aces in the Battle of Britain. His determination to take up life where it nearly left off and return to the only job he knows, is shown without heroics. And this enhances its dramatic value. Every Air Force taboo on his disability is finally overcome and he gets airborne again with the outbreak of war. Lyndon Brook plays the staunch friend who has to break the news to Bader of his affliction. Alexander Knox is quietly effective as the surgeon. Adapted from the biography [The Story of Douglas Bader] by Bader's fellow pilot Paul Brickhill. Buy UK Dvd from this Site (Shipped from UK) Buy UK Daily Mail Promo Dvd for £2.99 (Incl. Postage) Trivia: Ages of the stars at the time of the making of the film: Kenneth More, 41 Muriel Pavlow, 34 Filming locations included: Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England Award Category Name Nominee/Winner BFAA 1956 Best British Actor Kenneth More Nominee BFAA 1956 Best British Actress Dorothy Alison Nominee BFAA 1956 Best British Film Winner BFAA 1956 Best British Screenplay Lewis Gilbert Nominee BFAA 1956 Best Film from any Source Nominee (BFAA - British Film Academy Awards) 5 STARS OUT OF 5 Reach for the Sky Kenneth More Buy UK Dvd (This Site) (Shipped from UK) Single Disc [2003] Directors: Lewis Gilbert (II) Actors: Kenneth More, Muriel Pavlow, Lyndon Brook, Lee Patterson, Alexander Knox Directors: Lewis Gilbert (II) Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, PAL, Widescreen Language: English Region: Region 2 (UK & Europe) Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Number of discs: 1 Classification: U Studio: ITV DVD DVD Release Date: 14 April 2003 Run Time: 136 minutes DVD Features: Main Language: English Available Audio Tracks: Mono Hearing Impaired: English Disc Format: DVD 9 Interactive Menus Original Theatrical Trailer Biographies Price: £11.99 (UK Sterling) / $ 25.99 (US Dollars approx) (Shipped from UK) (Price includes worldwide postage & packaging) Payment can also be made to Lenin Imports by cheque, po, money order, international money order, cash by registered mail. 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