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Reach For The Sky.
Tjust watched this movie, it is the true story of airman Douglas Bader who overcame the loss of both legs in a 1931 flying accident to become a successful fighter pilot and wing leader during World War II.
Paul Brickhill wrote the biography of Douglas bader in 1954 and it was made into the movie shortly after. With great flying scenes, it is one of the few movies to actually feature the Hurricane as well as the more famous spitfire.
It is also the inspiring story of a man, battling back from tremdous adversity to achieve his dreams. Well recommended and acted. Kenneth Moore doses a great job and I will be watching it again.
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I read that story when I was a kid, about 1965 or so. I have had the book for years. The tribulations he had and the narrow escapes that were attributed to the tin legs were facinating.
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I don't know where my copy of that book disappeared to. I must get another someday!
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I haven't seen "Reach for the Sky" on film but i first read the book nearly 50 years ago.
This may be old news but this Canadian company offers copies of old British War movies (including "RFTS") that are all but unobtainable in the US or via netflix.
Learmedia Rare and Classic Videos
I purchased a copy of "A Sailor of the King" (based on C.S. Forster's "Brown on Resolution) from them a few years ago. There was a minor shipping snafu that they quickly rectified overall good people to deal with.
The story of Bader's prewar injuries, rehabilitation and return to flight status are amazing in themselves. Equally astounding is his escape from the aircraft after being shot up over France and his role as an escaper. he gave the Germans fits! :thup:
Regards,
Jim
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I read the book thirty years ago and got to see his medals when I was at RAF Hendon ten years ago. He was knighted for his post-war service to amputees.
The DVD is out of print but you can download the film for a week from Amazon.
Bob