Drama based on the attempt by the RAF to destroy six dams in Germany during World War II.Drama based on the attempt by the RAF to destroy six dams in Germany during World War II.Drama based on the attempt by the RAF to destroy six dams in Germany during World War II.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThere was no follow-up raid because aerial photography showed that the new anti-air raid defences on the dam installed after the attack would have made a second raid suicidal.
- GoofsThe system devised to get the height right was, in the film, said to have been thought of by the 617 Sqn crews following a visit to the theater. In reality it was devised by the 'boffins' at Farnborough.
- Quotes
Official, Ministry of Aircraft Production: You say you need a Wellington Bomber for test drops. They're worth their weight in gold. Do you really think the authorities will lend you one? What possible argument could I put forward to get you a Wellington?
Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S.: Well, if you told them I designed it, do you think that might help?
- Crazy creditsBlu-Ray edition opening screen: "While we acknowledge some of the language used in The Dam Busters reflects historical attitudes audiences may find offensive, for reasons of historical accuracy we have opted to present the film as it was originally screened."
This refers to the fact that the protagonist, Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson's, dog is named "N-Word." In addition, the dog's name is used during the raid on the dams as code indicating the dam(s) have successfully been breached.
- Alternate versionsPrints distributed in the United States by Warner Brothers added a shot from Desperate Journey (1942) showing an early model B-17 Flying Fortress crashlanding in a forest.
- ConnectionsEdited into Attack on the Iron Coast (1968)
Featured review
Rare (anti-hero) Gold: An Aviation Cult Classic
Seldom does a commercial film portray an historical event with intelligence and competency, one rare example of when it succeeds is Michael Anderson's 'The Dam Busters' (1955).
A taught 'almost documentary' style dramatization of the ultra secret 'Operation Chastise', when very low flying (at night!) Lancaster aircraft of the Royal Airforce employ special 5 ton bouncing bombs to destroy the huge nazi Mohne and Eder dams in the Ruhr valley.
Released on the raids anniversary 12 years later (1955), I have wondered if such a film could (beyond it's logistical problems) be produced today? So often today special effects will dominate such a production, with an intelligent script and strong acting very often left lacking. Was 'The Dam Busters' a happy accident?
The featured characters in 'The Dam Busters' are painted as professional anti-heroes in very convincing fashion. Michael Redgrave's Dr. Barnes Wallis's character, an engineer/mathematician struggling to see his ideas not muddled down in bureaucracy, armed only with faith in his idea along with a clear understanding of gravity and mathematics knowing the risks, pursues his radical engineering solution that is the correct one. Redgrave's Wallis reminds me of Richard Donet's engrossing portrayal of William Friese-Greene in 'The Magic Box'(1952). When was the last time a feature film portrayed a major character in a film such as an engineer/scientist in a positive light? Certainly not since 'China Syndrome'! Has 'Hollywood' perceptions of science and scientists been too hypocritical? Redgrave's 'Wallis' seems oddly refreshing.
I delight in Richard Todd's Guy 'Gibby' Gibson's jockey size leading anti-hero character, the shortest actor (in physical stature only) in the whole cast! The optimistic professionalism of Todd's 'Gibson' (also often confused as restrained dignity) is not uncommon with very real counterparts in the real world today I have had the pleasure to know. Gibson's dog, a black labrador retriever named the historically correct (but not politically so) "Nigger" is retained in the English versions of the film print, "trigger" in the American version. Should 'political correctness' conceal the mistakes of the past? This issue in the script shows an unexpected glimpse into the 'Gibson' character and only makes this film all the more fascinating.
The controversy regarding the raid's longterm impact (or lack of) on German war production has since been reevaluated again by historians.... which only fuels interest in this film. The film recreates the technical problems (and the fascinating solutions) required for such an aviation feat....still even by todays standards!
The special photographic effects hold up considering the state of the art in 1955. Though the dam explosions themselves look pathetic, the dam model work and especially the 'flak' hold up very well. As for using those real Lancasters in the production..... there is no special effects substitute for the real thing, and was worth every production penny! There is something about flying low (and fast) over water that has a way of 'pushing buttons'!
'The Dam Busters'....an aviation film cult classic!
A taught 'almost documentary' style dramatization of the ultra secret 'Operation Chastise', when very low flying (at night!) Lancaster aircraft of the Royal Airforce employ special 5 ton bouncing bombs to destroy the huge nazi Mohne and Eder dams in the Ruhr valley.
Released on the raids anniversary 12 years later (1955), I have wondered if such a film could (beyond it's logistical problems) be produced today? So often today special effects will dominate such a production, with an intelligent script and strong acting very often left lacking. Was 'The Dam Busters' a happy accident?
The featured characters in 'The Dam Busters' are painted as professional anti-heroes in very convincing fashion. Michael Redgrave's Dr. Barnes Wallis's character, an engineer/mathematician struggling to see his ideas not muddled down in bureaucracy, armed only with faith in his idea along with a clear understanding of gravity and mathematics knowing the risks, pursues his radical engineering solution that is the correct one. Redgrave's Wallis reminds me of Richard Donet's engrossing portrayal of William Friese-Greene in 'The Magic Box'(1952). When was the last time a feature film portrayed a major character in a film such as an engineer/scientist in a positive light? Certainly not since 'China Syndrome'! Has 'Hollywood' perceptions of science and scientists been too hypocritical? Redgrave's 'Wallis' seems oddly refreshing.
I delight in Richard Todd's Guy 'Gibby' Gibson's jockey size leading anti-hero character, the shortest actor (in physical stature only) in the whole cast! The optimistic professionalism of Todd's 'Gibson' (also often confused as restrained dignity) is not uncommon with very real counterparts in the real world today I have had the pleasure to know. Gibson's dog, a black labrador retriever named the historically correct (but not politically so) "Nigger" is retained in the English versions of the film print, "trigger" in the American version. Should 'political correctness' conceal the mistakes of the past? This issue in the script shows an unexpected glimpse into the 'Gibson' character and only makes this film all the more fascinating.
The controversy regarding the raid's longterm impact (or lack of) on German war production has since been reevaluated again by historians.... which only fuels interest in this film. The film recreates the technical problems (and the fascinating solutions) required for such an aviation feat....still even by todays standards!
The special photographic effects hold up considering the state of the art in 1955. Though the dam explosions themselves look pathetic, the dam model work and especially the 'flak' hold up very well. As for using those real Lancasters in the production..... there is no special effects substitute for the real thing, and was worth every production penny! There is something about flying low (and fast) over water that has a way of 'pushing buttons'!
'The Dam Busters'....an aviation film cult classic!
helpful•91
- Corfman
- Jul 11, 1999
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Dambusters
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $84,627
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Color
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