The name Douglas Bader exemplifies courage in the face of adversity. Phil Jarman reviews the award-winning biographic film of the Battle of Britain hero, ‘Reach for the Sky’.
Following the loss of both legs in a flying accident in 1931, Douglas Bader became a courageous leader of men who fought in the skies during and after the Battle of Britain. The 1956 biographic film adheres closely to the book of the same name written by fellow aviator Paul Brickhill. The focus of this often moving film is the central character played by Kenneth More who at the time bore an uncanny resemblance to the wartime British fighter ace.
Becoming an inspiration to his colleagues and many other injured servicemen, Bader led from the front and often challenged convention as well as his superiors. More’s depiction of Bader encompasses his charm, drive and determination to succeed - despite suffering life-changing injuries sustained early in his career as a pilot. Winning a BAFTA Award for the Best British Film of 1956, Director Lewis Gilbert found working with Bader at the time of production difficult and later claimed he was often uncooperative. Interestingly Bader did not attend the film’s premiere and did not see the out…
