Defending the Realm: The Battle of Britain

“It all depended on the mettle you took to the enemy,” says one of the few surviving pilots of Britain's crucial battle against German bombers in 1940 in this moving documentary that takes a fresh and comprehensive look at the concerted effort to thwart the invasion of the country following a long bombing campaign. Hosted by actor David Jason, Defending the Realm interviews veteran pilots, historians, and others who explore the story of the young men (average age 22) who ultimately won that battle in the sky despite limited training and experience. Describing the deadly work of scrambling and intercepting German aircraft for months on end, these elderly gentlemen recall having no time for fear, focusing on the task at hand and depending mightily on ground and repair crews to keep them aloft. Also covering the ingenious intelligence network devised to track the enemy (and accompanying Jason on a flight in a still-operational Spitfire), this rousing WWII documentary is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (T. Keogh)