One of Our Aircraft Is Missing

The 1942 feature One of Our Aircraft Is Missing is one of the great "trapped behind enemy lines" WWII films, a superb piece of propaganda filmmaking that is both dramatically engaging and rousing. The title comes from a phrase familiar to British citizens of the time—used by radio broadcasters when RAF planes were downed or unaccounted for—and here it refers to the crew of the bomber "B for Bertie," who parachute into occupied Netherlands when their plane is shot. Directed by Michael Powell in partnership with screenwriter Emeric Pressburger, the film chronicles their escape as they are aided by the Dutch Resistance, notably two women (Pamela Brown and Googie Withers) who risk their lives to get the British crew to the North Sea. Powell and Pressburger were meticulous in their portrayal, from the interactions of the bomber crew during their mission, to the details of hiding and moving the British airmen through German checkpoints. This classic features creative storytelling—with a flashback to set the narrative, and inventive sound design (but no musical score)—as well as excellent performances from a solid cast of British actors, including Godfrey Tearle, Eric Portman, Hugh Williams, Bernard Miles, Hugh Burden, and Emrys Jones as the crewmen. Peter Ustinov makes his feature debut as a Dutch priest in the Resistance. Earning Oscar nominations for its screenplay and special effects, this is rightly celebrated as one of the great British films of the ‘40s. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)