Very well executed

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

'The Lancaster bombing raid which climaxes the film is just about the best treatment of this subject I have seen.' Daily Mail 1953Not only does this film contain good solid performances and evidence the director's solid capabilities, but more importantly captures the tension and high risks of serving in Bomber Command in the Second World War. The audience acquires a better feel for the sheer exhaustion and pain at the loss of comrades those serving in these squadrons experienced. The degree of realism achieved was largely the result of the presence in the team of writers of John Wooldridge, who as part of his professional expertise also provided the typically bombastic score. Before becoming a film composer he had been a decorated member of Bomber Command, who had served alongside Dambuster Guy Gibson. Moreover, the links with that famous bombing raid are further bolstered by the fact that Dirk Bogarde based his interpretation of Wing Commander Tim Mason on Gibson, while the Lancasters used in this production would two years later be captured to magnificent effect as cinematic tribute to the 'Dambusters' in the much more revered film detailing their exploits. Bogarde is nothing short of excellent in portraying a committed commanding officer who has flown too many sorties, and whose determination to fly one more mission, despite his mental exhaustion, leads him to be grounded by his superiors. Though well- respected by his men, a combination of recent losses and near-misses gradually lead to the feeling that both their commander and the squadron are jinxed. This escalates after the loss of one of the most popular members of the squadron, played by a youthful Brian Forbes. Bogarde's character holds himself responsible for the loss of this young pilot having reprimanded him prior to his fateful mission about endangering the secrecy of the squadron's missions. This was by sending coded messages to his girlfriend notifying her of his safe return after each previous mission completed. This sequence of events leads to one of the most memorable scenes of the movie when the lost pilot's wife reveals that her deceased partner had hidden their marriage, conscious of his commanding officer's demands that nothing should interfere with their focus on the mission at hand. The weakest element of the movie is the unconvincing love interest provided by Dinah Sheridan, obviously introduced to soften Bogarde's attitude to the importance of civilian life for his men. By contrast, the film achieves great dramatic effect with its depiction of the final mission over occupied Holland. This results from the director, Philip Leacock's earlier expertise in his career as a director of documentaries, with it's subtle interplay between genuine pictures of a Bomber Command mission, special effect lighting, and realistic radio communication. The title of the film not only is far better than that it acquired on its US release ('Raiders of the Skies') but has poignant significance to the film's story-line. The eponymous appointment refers to that which Bryan Forbes' character was never able to attend to pick up his Distinguished Flying Cross from Buckingham Palace for his bravery under fire. In the final scene of the film we accompany Mason, and a fellow pilot, as they head towards their own medals for gallantry, together with the widow of this lost colleague. Atmospheric despite its low key approach, this British feature sits comfortably against its much better known American counterpart, 'Twelve O'Clock High', released four years earlier.

this is one of them films that really shows what the Bomber command boys were really at. we all get taught about the Battle of Britain and stuffy dowding, we rarely hear about how hard it was for those working for Bomber Harris, aircrews flying long jobs, the Squadron & wing commanders being pushed to the brink of destruction and beyond. but we also see the human side, WC mason is near the end of his tour of 90 jobs and is trying to keep his boys focused on the job both on the ground crews and in the air crews ,keeping their minds on the flying & Maintenance and not the women, which he thinks after one fatality and meeting the widow makes him realise he may be wrong, still he completes his tour and keeps his appointment. made in 1954 there were plenty of Lanc's still flying, today in 2011 there are 2 left in world flying and not many of the crews are left neither, My late neighbour was a Lanc Pilot, i didn't know till after he had died he never spoke of it, My grandfather was a hero in WW2 and so this neighbour..if anything when ever this movie comes on MAKE SURE THE KIDS WATCH IT.. we always remember the few of fighter command, this films makes sure we remember the Many....and is a testament to flyers like Guy Gibson and his many many comrades who died for us..today...WATCH THIS MOVIE

Unlike Fighter Command whose exploits were painted across the skies of Southern England during the endless summer of 1940,Bomber Command never caught the public imagination.These were not glamorous public school chaps with silk scarves and Brylcreemed hair downing a brace of Huns before tea,gleaming Spitfires and intrepid Hurricanes doing Victory Rolls whilst beating up the airfield as the Waafs waved out of the Control Tower.No,these were mainly working class grammar school boys sitting in freezing aluminium tubes, little more than lethal containers of H.E and volatile fuel,in the pitch dark 5 miles above Occupied Europe in skies full of white hot metal shards any one of which,at any second,could turn their aircraft into a fiery coffin.Some chewed the ends of pencils whilst calculating the target's co - ordinates on paper,some tracking the amount of fuel being used,others scanned the sky for enemy fighters.Some flew the plane which took considerable strength to keep on a straight and level course under ideal conditions,let alone being bounced around in a hazardous sky where your every instinct is to drop your bombs and race home ASAP.These men displayed dour,determined courage night after long night in a bitter war of attrition.A standard tour of operations consisted of 30 missions,their chance of survival a little over 30%. Wing Commander Mason (Mr D.Bogarde)has flown 87 missions,the equivalent of spitting in The Grim Reaper's face several times.He is determined to complete his third tour despite opposition from his Commanding Officer and the M.O."Appointment in London" tells the story of his fight to survive against all the odds. Superficially resembling the mighty "Twelve o' clock high",closer study reveals more differences than might be immediately apparent.Gregory Peck's character was imposed on a failing squadron whose popular C.O. suffered a breakdown,Mason has been on base for a long time and is well - liked and respected,Peck a martinet where Bogarde tolerates his pilots' horseplay,for instance.There is no doubt "Twelve o' clock high" is the superior movie,but that doesn't make "Appointment in London" a poor one. Much of the pleasure is in the supporting cast,Mr A.Shaw as "Smithy",the adjutant,a much older man,outwardly stuffy,a veteran of the Great War and a man who has seen too many airmen die to allow himself to become affected.Mr C.Victor as the village publican and confidant to aircrew,paternal and compassionate,a splendid bit of acting.Mr C.Singer in a customary senior NCO role as the Flight Sergeant in charge of the groundcrew who lend the planes to the fliers and hope they take good care of them and,last but not least Mr S.Kydd as the mechanic who finds his pilot's lucky charm and is confronted late at night by an angry Mr Bogarde.This is a key scene in the movie as Bogarde's anger(mainly against himself) manifests itself in an exchange that graduallly moves from aggression to awkwardness to genuine respect.It is beautifully played by these two fine actors. My only personal caveat with the film is the complete lack of anything resembling affection between Mr Bogarde and Miss D.Sheridan as the naval officer he falls in love with.I'm sorry I just didn't believe in them as a couple.No spark,no chemistry,no nothing.Maybe it's me. All round though,"Appointment in London" is a well - made,interesting and enjoyable film with lots of well - loved faces.I recommend that you watch it.

"Appointment in London" is an unusually-atmospheric, stylish and very-consistently-interesting late British WWII film. The subject is the pilots of British Bomber Command and the stresses they encounter in battles as the fly Lancasters in night missions over the European mainland. Specifically, the film features as its central character a dedicated pilot, played elegantly by Dirk Bogarde. He has completed 89 missions and survived, but very much wants his 90th. Due to fatigue and concerns for his well being, echelon grounds him. he is angry and frustrated, but during his time on the ground, he reconnects to life and wins lovely Dinah Sheridan, who acts very strongly as the widow of a naval intelligence type, winning her from breezy Willaim Sylvester, a U.S. pilot. The added tension in the film comes from Bogarde's desire to complete his third tour with one final mission, and the fact that everything about it sets up to be a "jinxed" mission from the start. I will not give away the breath-taking and vivid climax, but apart from some leisurely spots here and there, I will claim that director Philip Leacock has produced one of the best of all war films in "Appointment in London" The script was credited to Robert Westerby and John Woolridge, with cinematography by Stephen Dade and art direction by Donald M. Ashton. John Woolridge also wrote the fine original score, and costumes were contributed by Sheila Graham. In appearance, the film is very strongly made, and attractively photographed. The aerial sequences are very good and the recreated picture of wartime London is a big selling point for this hard-to-find film. Bogarde and Sheridan are extraordinarily touching and intelligent; I cannot recommend this film too highly as drama, as a war movie or as a cinematic "sleeper", one which in lesser hands would not have been as absorbing as it was made to be.