The Dam Busters (1955)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(4,273 ratings)

The British The Dam Busters is the story of the development and utilization of the "bouncing bombs" in World War II. Michael Redgrave stars as Dr. Barnes Wallis, who developed these unorthodox explosives. Wallis' invention is put to practical use during the British raid on the Ruhr Dams in Germany.… More The British The Dam Busters is the story of the development and utilization of the "bouncing bombs" in World War II. Michael Redgrave stars as Dr. Barnes Wallis, who developed these unorthodox explosives. Wallis' invention is put to practical use during the British raid on the Ruhr Dams in Germany. Most of the film is devoted to the two years spent in creating the bombs and training the pilots; the final sequence is a special-effects masterpiece, even allowing for the obvious models standing in for the dams. Adapted by R.C. Sherriff from both Guy Gibson's book Enemy Coast Ahead and Paul Brickhill's The Dam Busters, this film was Britain's biggest box-office success of 1955. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 59 min.
Directed By: Michael Anderson
Written By: Paul Brickhill, Wing Commander Guy Gibson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1954 Wide
On DVD: Oct 17, 2006
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
One of the truly great war films.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Starring Michael Redgrave, this exciting British WWII drama was nominated for the Special Effects Oscar.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

I love films that combine my passion for WWII history with my passion for cinema.
AJ V

This isn't a bad movie, it's just boring, it would work better as a documentary or something because as a narrative film it's too boring.
Walter M

In "The Dam Busters," Barnes Wallis(Michael Redgrave), a research scientist at Vickers during World War II, and his doting wife(Ursula Jeans) do not so much raise their children, as breed them to be his lab assistants. His latest experiment involves a way to bomb the dams… More
In "The Dam Busters," Barnes Wallis(Michael Redgrave), a research scientist at Vickers during World War II, and his doting wife(Ursula Jeans) do not so much raise their children, as breed them to be his lab assistants. His latest experiment involves a way to bomb the dams of the Ruhr Valley which could potentially cripple Germany's steel production. The high command is about to give up on this and let him play with his expensive toys somewhere in Scotland when he has a breakthrough. Even after a successful test with live aircraft, approval is slow in coming. But once it does, Wing Commander Guy Gibson(Richard Todd) is put in charge of the mission. Based on a true story, "The Dam Busters" is a gripping tale of dogged determination in the face of adversity during wartime, taking the viewer through all the stages of a military mission from planning to completion. At the heart of it is the contrast between two men, Wallis, the thinker, and Gibson who implements the plan. Gibson does not contemplate what he has been ordered to do because on the surface it is quite insane and impossible. As a veteran of many bombing sorties, he knows he cannot afford to be emotional during a war which has its many peaks and valleys, not to mention down time.
Marcus W

Somewhat linear and very dated now, but the story of persistence and dedication - not to mention patriotism, still shines through

Cast

            Richard Todd as Wing Cmdr. Guy Gibson

            Michael Redgrave as Dr. Barnes N. Wallis

            Stanley Van Beers as Sir David Pye

            Ursula Jeans as Mrs. Wallis

            Raymond Huntley as Official from Ministry of Aircraft

            Derek Farr as Group Capt. J.N.H. Whitworth

            Patrick Barr as Capt. Joseph Summers

            John Fraser as Flight Lt. Hopgood

            Basil Sydney as Sir Arthur Harris

            Ernest Clark as AVM Ralph Cochrane

            Laurence Naismith as Farmer

            Brewster Mason as Flt/Lt. R.D. Trevor-Roper

            Anthony Doonan as Flight Lt. Hutchison

            Nigel Stock as Flight Lt. Spafford

            George Baker as Flight Lt. Maltby

            Charles Carson as Doctor

            Harold Goodwin as Crosby

            Bill Kerr as Flight Lt. Martin

            Richard Leech as Sqd Ldr. H.M. Young

            Frederick Leister as Committee Member

            Harold Siddons as Group Signals Officer

            Ewen Solon as Flt/Sgt. G.E. Powell

            Colin Tapley as Dr. W.H. Glanville

            Richard Thorp as Sqd Ldr. H.F. Maudslay

            Tim Turner as Flt/Lt. J.P. Leggo

            Basil Appleby as Flt/Lt. R.C. Hay

            Patrick McGoohan as Guard on Door

            Robert Shaw as Flight Sgt. Pulford

            Anthony Shaw as R.A.F. Officer at Trials

            Edwin Styles as Observers at Trials

            Hugh Moxey as Observers at Trials

            Laidman Browne as Committee Member

            Brian Nissen as Flt/Lt. A.T. Taerum

            Denys Graham as Flying/Off. L.G. Knight

            Eric Messiter as Committee Member

            Frank Phillips as BBC Announcer
See full cast