Over the years various English producers and writers have created films or television series dealing with the 1940 Battle of Britain. Indeed few events offer greater cinematic potential than that titanic struggle. S.P. MacKenzie examines the dozen-odd BoB productions released between 1939 and 1991 in this entertaining but horrendously-overpriced volume from Edinburgh University Press.



BoB cinematic/TV productions have been a mixed bag. Battle of Britain films have included "The Lion Has Wings," "The First of the Few," "Angels One Five," "Reach for the Sky" and my personal favorite "The Battle of Britain." TV series included "Piece of Cake" and "The Perfect Hero."



MacKenzie examines each production in turn, relating how it came to be, production details and critical/public reaction. As he points out, each had strengths and weaknesses. What's just as fascinating as the production details is how each's "take" on the BoB was colored by contemporary societal attitudes. Nowadays some come across as little better than wartime propoaganda, others were revisionist diatribes that trashed the exploits of "the Few." Though I would have enjoyed more "on-the-set" details, the book makes for interesting reading.



A rather slim book, BATTLE OF BRITAIN ON SCREEN runs to 180 pages including 10 photographs. It is pricey whether you opt for hardcover ($90.00!!) or paperback ($34.00). Cinema fans will enjoy it and perhaps RAF buffs as well. Recommended.

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