Angels One Five DVD Review

Director: George More O’Ferrall

Starring: Jack Hawkins, Michael Denison, Dulcie Gray, John Gregson, Cyril Raymond, Veronica Hurst

Cert: U

Running Time: 98 mins

Special Features: Max Arthur on The Battle Of Britain, Restoration Comparison, Trailer

Classic British war films are typically associated with a stiff upper lip, and the lips couldn’t be stiffer for Angels One Five, reissued by StudioCanal to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain. The earnest style and dodgy working class accents may raise a chuckle today, but to dismiss it on these grounds would be a disservice to what is both an interesting look inside the military machine and an important social document and product of the post-conflict industry.

Helmer George More O’Ferrall played a major role in the development of the story, basing it on his time at Fighter Command HQ. This was a base that saw seasoned pilots stuck behind desks, manning radar screens to intercept German attackers over the skies of south east England. The action concerns several characters whose lives dovetail as they battle the common enemy. Colourfully-named Scot T.B. ‘Septic’ Baird (John Gregson) makes a dramatic entrance to the team when he nearly crashes his plane into a nearby cottage. The reaction from the owner – “Dropped in for tea old man?” – sums up the attitude on display. Baird is an uptight stickler for the rules and an independent spirit to boot. However as he becomes more involved with his young colleagues and starts a romance, he learns to adapt to life as part of a unit, under the guidance of the intimidating Squadron Leader ‘Tiger’ Small (Jack Hawkins). Meanwhile the likes of Michael Denison hold their nerve trying to coordinate a defence against the relentless Luftwaffe, in addition to managing the actions of the impetuous pilots under him. Of course it’s all leading up to a big confrontation where the fate of all their lives hangs in the balance.

This is a world where people call each other ‘Bonzo’, peppered with dialogue such as “It’s a peculiarity of the female that she can only relax by being busy!” Yet while the movie presents a snapshot of a past time, it also delivers a tale of moving heroism and subtlety. A touching tribute to a fallen soldier is made when the toast glass he abandoned on the mantel to go and fight is raised and finished by the potman. I live in the area where the film is set and was fascinated to see reference to Manston, now an airfield in limbo, alongside other familiar names. The thought that bombs were dropping where I presently sat gave Angels One Five an extra layer of significance for me.

Also of note are the conventions of the age, that sees a group of middle-aged actors presented as spunky fledglings. At one stage someone introduces their parents and they look about a decade younger than he does! These days the narrative would be packed with fresh-faced and photogenic young things. O’Ferrall does succeed in mounting some ambitious aerial content, putting his camera in the air and using a combination of back projection, model work and war footage, from when events were much closer to the period. The crowning glory of the production no doubt is the employment of the actual Hurricanes themselves (on loan from the Portugese government!).

The restoration for the release is as crisp as the actors’ delivery, and extras include a short featurette showing just how spick and span the new version is. The distributor hasn’t done the history by half measures either, with a refreshingly no-nonsense short where writer Max Arthur explains the background in old school close-up.

It may be creaky in 2015, but Angels One Five depicts a chapter of British life that carries a more relevant message than ever about the sacrifices made to protect the nation from the tyranny of fascism. Humanity is never far away from the whining engines and spraying bullets, and the end sequence is at once restrained, defiant and sad. A perfect summary of people keeping it together in the face of a terrible onslaught.

Angels One Five is out on Blu-ray, DVD and EST on August 24th.