The Dambusters [1954]

In the context of the '40s the term "Nigger" did not have the conotation is has today. Does Philip Kemp fully realise the outside professionl expertise that is called upon in the making of this type of film. One can only do so much within a budget within the two hours allowed. It's a well known fact that film companies tend to embelish heroism and if Philip Kemp cannot recognise this as indicated by his trite statements he should get an education.
I know this film is revered amongst the vast majority of those who are knowledgeable before and after the fact. I would hate to think that a frivilous and sarcastic review would desuade people from buying such a wonderful and gratifying film that honours the participants(Commenwealth aircrew including one American who joined the Canadian Air Force) and a long lasting commeration to RAF Bomber Command and the durability of spirit as exhibited by the British people.

Simon Wainwright


Amazon Review Is An Insult   June 6, 2005
36 out of 39 found this review helpful

The Dambuster was not in my view a "minor incident" from the 2nd World war as purported by the Amazon Review.The Amazon review is a disgrace! This is for two reasons. First, Germany collapsed not so much through battles won and lost but due to economic weakening; the incapacity of Germany to build munitions and service the country's war needs is the key factor which led to the callapse of the Nazis. Whilst the breaking of the links between the Ruhr and Lower Saxony (as Churchill preciently identified)broke the economic back of Germany the process of weakening the economic prodcutivity of the Ruhr in 1943 was a turning point and The Dambusters made an important contribution in this process.OK The Germans repaired the Dams in 5 months (he raid took place in mid May 1943 and the Dams we back in operation by the end of October 1943) but it diverted focus and resources from other military matters and created havoc during the summer of 1943 when water stocks were depleting. Secondly, the much doubted Barnes Wallace gained the credibility to develop the Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs which were later so successful against heavily fortified targets such as the German battelship Tirpitz.
The DVD is great - it is a true and fair record of an important historical event and is throroughly gripping even though you may know the outcome.The script is well paced and the story takes a number of "turns". The DVD transfer is also good and the "special affects" are convincing enough. One of the best War Movies you can buy but don't buy it from Amazon as their mediocre review is an insult to the memory of the brave people who have so much for this important allied conquest.


Great story, great film..........terrible DVD transfer   June 22, 2005
23 out of 27 found this review helpful

Don't get me wrong.......I love the story and the film, but the transfer to DVD is a disaster. The black pixelation of the DVD picture (presumably made worse by the film being originally done in black and white) is SO obvious and SO prevalent (and SO annoying) in many scenes (particularly in the "dark" scenes over the dams), that it should never have been released to the general public. This edition should be withdrawn and re-mastered to remove such a fundamental ruination of a great film.

To truly enjoy the film, I suggest (for now, at least) that you buy the video instead (there are no special features on the DVD, just the usual scene selection feature, and the theatrical trailer which consists of edited portions of the film strung together).

A great tragedy to see such a film turn out this way, and someone should be held accountable for such a blatant mistake in ever releasing this edition as it has been on DVD.


A Famous War Film   August 6, 2002
E. A. Redfearn (Middlesbrough)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

The raid on the Ruhr Dams by 617 Squadron was one of the most famous during World War 2. Not entirely successful since only two dams were destroyed, it was nevertheless a morale booster. Sadly, eight of the aircraft failed to return to base, and this film is a tribute to their courage and memory. Richard Todd, a fine actor portrays Guy Gibson VC with great sensitivity. Many fine actors grace this film; if you look closely, you will spot John Fraser,Robert Shaw and Richard Thorpe before they became household names. Sir Michael Redgrave portrays the eccentric inventor Barnes Wallis with distinction. The special effects are dated of course, but it doesnt matter. The music score is famous too. Some of the aerial scenes by the way were filmed in Lincolnshire and Humberside, Goole Port standing in for a German village. Needs to be on DVD though for picture clarity. If you love British war films, you must buy this as a tribute to the brave crews of the RAF.


A Classic   August 22, 2000
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

Every Briton knows 'The Dam Busters', & few of us can hear the fabulous 'Dam Busters March' without feeling a swell of pride &/or becoming a tad teary-eyed.

It's certainly not the kind of film that would be made today - sensibilities have changed so much in 50 years - but it is a fine example of British WWII films, & an absolute classic. There is a strangely affecting combination of world-weariness & innocence in the bomber crews, young men who knew that they were likely to die any day now. No over-the-top special effects, no gung-ho speechifying - just a beautifully observed, sparely written script, strong on characterisation & plot development. Imagine that.

Regarding the argument over Gibson's naming of his dog: It is certainly not "PC", but I cannot agree that it should be changed. The term "nigger" certainly connoted more than mere colour to the people who experienced it as a term of abuse (as they definitely did throughout the Empire), but that was the dog's name, however much we may despise it now. To change the name in dubbing is to dodge an issue; to claim that the word did not have terrible connotations is naive; to complain because a viewer referenced the fact that they found the term offensive is to be blind to the power the word wields still - perhaps these folk are fortunate enough never to have witnessed any racial abuse in their lives. Nonetheless, the dog's name was what it was, & should not be changed because it makes us uncomfortable - we should simply be glad that it does.