World War II buffs will rejoice over this collection of 24 short films (boasting excellent transfers) about the RAF produced by the British government during the war years. Many are training films on a wide range of subjects: proper operation of the bomber's gun turrets, the use of life rafts in the event of an unscheduled landing in the English Channel, the enemy's clever interrogation techniques, the ground crew's refueling and rearming of bombers, and even one on the etiquette of the salute. One film is directed towards the public, asking them not to carry off souvenirs from crashes, while also outlining instructions for safely extracting injured pilots. Some of the entries are simple morale boosters, sketching the service's glorious history or exalting particular successful operations against the enemy, while a few offer self-contained little dramas (about delivering planes to distant theaters of war, or how a navigator plots a route). Finally, the collection features a technically primitive cartoon warning pilots to keep an eye on the controls. Although some films here feature professional actors, most of the parts are played by ordinary servicemen, including Americans, whose contributions to the war effort are praised by narrators. As a bonus, each of the three discs features a brief newsreel excerpt, including one enthusing over the massive 1944 bombing of Germany as repayment for the 1940 Blitz. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
The Royal Air Force at War: The Unseen Films 1940-1944
(2004) 3 discs. 310 min. DVD: $34.99. Koch Vision (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-4172-3074-6. Volume 24, Issue 2
The Royal Air Force at War: The Unseen Films 1940-1944
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