In 1917, Croft is proud to belong to a British squadron commanded by
his brother-in-law, Gresham. Having already clocked up fifteen
hours of flying time, he can hardly wait to join the ranks of his
heroes, but things are not what they seem. The reality of war has
begun to take its toll on Gresham, who seeks refuge in alcohol.
Far from being a fearless hero, he is an ordinary man struggling to
overcome his fear and anxieties...
Script: Cecil Lewis,
Howard Barker,
R.C. Sherriff (play)
Cinematographer: Gerry Fisher
Music: Richard Hartley, Carlo Rustichelli
Cast:Malcolm McDowell (Maj. John Gresham),
Christopher Plummer (Capt. 'Uncle' Sinclair),
Simon Ward (Lt. Crawford),
Peter Firth (Lt. Stephen Croft),
David Wood (Lt. 'Tommy' Thompson),
John Gielgud (Headmaster),
Trevor Howard (Lieutenant Colonel Silkin),
Richard Johnson (Major Lyle),
Ray Milland (Brigadier General Whale),
Christopher Blake (Lieutenant Roberts),
Gilles Béhat (Captain Beckenauer),
Elliott Cooper (Lieutenant Wade),
David Daker (Mess Corporal Bennett),
Barry Jackson (Corporal Albert Joyce),
Jacques Maury (Ponnelle),
Ron Pember (Lance Corporal Eliot),
Tim Pigott-Smith (Major Stoppard),
Jeanne Patou (French Singer),
Pascale Christophe (Croft's Girl Friend),
John Serret (French Colonel)
Country: UK / France
Language: English / French / German
Support: Color
Runtime: 114 min
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