The U.K. Target For Tonight

Region Two Blu-Ray Offers The Dam Busters (1955)

On Region 2 Blu-Ray in full-frame (shouldn't it be wide?), but rousing still and more so for higher definition. This was the WWII mission that broke German dams and flooded miles of factory installation, plus civilian housing. I'm told such targeting was later forbade by the Geneva Convention. Don't know enough historic detail to judge accuracy, but The Dam Busters is handsomely made and the climactic raid's a lulu. Science that led to zero-in is province of Michael Redgrave as brains behind the plan; audiences after the war liked now-it-can-be-told accounts of preparation for major attacks only surface-covered to that time. Richard Todd as flight team leader is likeable and democratic to a fault, unlike, some say, actual pilots too stressed for much hail fellowship on the ground (and who could blame them?). Warners released The Dam Busters in the US, made cuts/changes (more action, changing a mascot dog's name ... that last an urgent necessity), and took $498K domestic rentals for their pains. Region 2's Blu-Ray is fortunately the complete and unexpurgated UK cut.