Review of 633 Squadron (1964) by Ian S — 13 Nov 2009

Back then when we thought the big world issues would never be settled by war again, schoolboy adventures filled the cinema circuit. Vietnam and its cinematic realism, the brutal comedy of Catch 22, the everpresent 21st century threat from terrorism and political powerlessness make 633 Squadon into a curiosity of no lasting value, a cinematic bauble. The artwork alone says it all at a glance.

Just for the record, in 1964 after a rainy-holiday viewing of no alternative available, my 40y old ex Lancaster tailgunner father broke his misty-eyed recollections with a brief "it wasn't like that... AT ALL". But he liked the briefing-hut scene, when the pukka RAF-officer dismisses the crews onto their death-mission saying "Carry on chaps - I wish I was going with you" and the pawky aussie/cockney retorts sotto voce "you can have my seat if you like". My dad liked that ... it helped him put his real memories behind him, and cope.