633 Squadron *** (1964, Cliff Robertson, George Chakiris, Maria Perschy, Harry Andrews, Donald Houston, Michael Goodliffe) – Classic Movie Review 8508

Director Walter Grauman’s 1964 movie 633 Squadron stars Cliff Robertson (as Wing Commander Roy Grant) and an oddly cast George Chakiris (as Lieutenant Erik Bergman), who keep their tongues in their cheeks and their upper lips stiff for this popular, sometimes exciting World War Two aviation film. The story about the RAF squadron’s mission to bomb and destroy a Nazi rocket fuel munitions factory in Norway is based on a novel by Frederick E Smith.

Good though the movie is, something more distinguished was probably intended. But 633 Squadron emerges as an enjoyable if standard tale of heroism, with a sharply professional script co-written by James Clavell (Shogun) and Howard Koch, and effective action sequences capably directed by Grauman.

However, the most outstanding component is the famous theme music written by Ron Goodwin, an all-time great.

Also in the cast are Maria Perschy, Harry Andrews, Donald Houston, Michael Goodliffe, John Meillon, John Bonney, Angus Lennie, Scot Finch, Suzan Farmer and Johnny Briggs.

It is kind of strange that old-fashioned World War Two war dramas were still so popular in the new era of Swinging Sixties, nearly two decades after the end of the war. But the shadow cast by that war was so dark that the movies about it endured.

633 Squadron is directed by Walter Grauman, runs 101 minutes, is made by Mirisch Films, is released by United Artists, is written by James Clavell and Howard Koch, based on a novel by Frederick E Smith, is shot in colour by Edward [Ted] Scaife and John Wilcox, is produced by Walter Mirisch, Lewis J Rachmil and Cecil F Ford, is scored by Ron Goodwin and is designed by Michael Stringer.

Grauman was a bomber pilot during World War Two.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8508

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com