I think I am the only one in all these comments that can say,"I was in that Air Raid the dambusters." I was 11 years old in 1943 when I experienced the most horrible night of my life. I can honestly say,"I went through HELL'. The destruction afterwards was nothing but death. We children had to pull all drowned Horses and cows to the empty river to burn them. There were hundreds of Animals. War is Hell no matter where it is.
you can't say but a class movie i so lad thy didn't make a remake in colour that would of ruined it thanks for posting this is made my day so much better
spitfire690, just jane at East Kirkby are looking for spares for their radio so they can get their Lanc in the air, please contact them! This is urgent!
@voderick A very interesting point - had the axis won the war , sites like facebook and youtube would be unthinkable. Come to think of it the internet may never have been invented at all......
Guy Gibson did own a black labradour he named "Nigger" and he was tragically run down by a car in real life which makes the film "Dambusters" one of the most factually accurate war films ever made.
There is not a single refrence in the film that is untrue.
The Dambusters is the complete war film with nothing added to enhance the story.
Not quite. No one in the flight saw Maudsley crash, just that faint voice. I believe that one managed to bail out of Z Zebra and a couple from Hogood's plane - miraculously!
I don't think in the immediate aftermath of the raid (which the final scene depicts)that the survivors from M-Mother were known about , or that Maudslay had flown on another 70 miles or so before being shot down - so in essence the film is largely correct
I agree that the film largely reflects the heorism of this suicidal mission. However, I'd hope a 21st century remake could use a more balanced view. Although I'm not hopeful!
Well yes and no. Gibson did have a dog called nigger, but unlike the movie animal, he was heartily disliked because of his habit of piddling everywhere. Todd played Gibson as Richard Todd, who was a gallant English gentleman, unlike the real Guy Gibson who was a gallant pain in the arse.
No problem old bean. Me dad was a civvy contractor who often worked at St Vincents in Grantham, (Ops H.Q. for No. 3 Bomb Group)where the Caretaker gave me Brickhill's book to read when I was a kid, and two B&W postcards of the main Dam left over from when they were asking around for any old postcards of the Rhur Valley area.
modified film. Code word for breach was "nigger" for his dog, not "digger".
Thanks for posting clips. Have it on VHS and those Merlins are awesome with audio cranked up. Film makers did their homework on this movie and is a favorite.
Do you mean this video is modified? This is actually the original uncut version. In fact, I almost uploaded a video with all the scenes with the commander's dog for comedic effect, but I was worried people would take it the wrong way.
unless it's a glitch going from analog to digital, or I'm hearing it wrong, it sounds like he says "it's digger". Mine is also uncut and on VHS and thought when they transferred to digital, it was made politically correct. That's how it's advertised in Belle and Blade but they sold both versions. Excellent movie no matter what, and again, thanks for posts.
Trust me, it's the uncensored version. I got this from the DVD my parents had, and my mom kept getting shocked every time they used the n-word, and this was one such moment. It probably sounds like "digger" because he says it so fast. Plus, as I said, the rest of the film they use *that* word for the dog's name.
Gibson's black labrador was nicknamed "nigger" I suppose with the PC prats of today that is what is holding up a remake of this fine film along with "dont mention the war" as you might upset a german.....
.....And every night our brave lads few into the black heart of Germany and unleashed their deadly payloads of high explosives into their black, industrial heart before going home for some well earned bacon and eggs....and we won the war. (Viz)
Please explain yourself - whatever you think of McDonalds' near hegemony of fast food industry, at least there is still more of a choice than under a dictatorship. Also, people are free to criticise these 'global brands' - as well as their own government's incompetence!
@anthonythirteen I happen to think that Burger King is a far superior burger; And, did you know, they have to put those gerkins on Big Macs because there's so much sugar in them they'd have to be classed as a dessert otherwise.
I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Todd (The Actor)and George Johnson (A survivor of the raids) tonight at a presentation regarding 617 Sqn. Great evening. Both Mr Todd and Johnson gave us a a great night of interest. Great Film!
i hate war, i really do hate innocent people being killed, but the inginuity, skill, bravery and balls shown by these guys make me fucking so proud to be British
You were not in one of these aircraft. These guys flew the attack, not you. So, how can you pe proud? You are Britsh by fortuity. Maybe you could also have become a German.
Suppose so, if i was German i'd know what it feels like to win the world cup 3 times, but i didn't pay in the actual games so i suppose i wouldn't be proud, as a German, of that achievement?
Since 1977 the Geneva Conventions prohibit air raids on dams, because most victims are civilians! So from today's point of view this attack was not heroic but a war crime!!!
My Grandfather flew one of the lancasters on the raid on the second damb. he died when i was one and a half, but i know he hated the fact that so many innocent people died as a result(i understand they were mainly women and children). It was considered a necessary stragegy at the time - to halt germany's industriaul prowess, but personally i'm glad it's now prohibited.
Do you also reckon that they would prohibit air attacks on heavily populated cites then for the same reason? And were the Luftwaffe raids on Warsaw, Rotterdam and Coventry war crimes then or more of your selective war history?
With out a doubt the best war film ever made, I don't think the new one will be as good, where are the Lancasters coming from? Love the sound of the Merlins as they pull over the mountains.
I guess Peter Jackson will CGI it eh? But i reckon its in good hands. Also, they diddnt have Lancasters in 1953 when they made this one Axial, Those arent Lancs, they're Lincolns.
They used four Mk 7 Lancs from 20 Maintenance Unit, identified with serial numbers, 3 having already appeared in "Appointment in London". Some modifications were made to add authenticity, but they retained their post-war FN82 rear turrets with heavy machine guns, not 1943 FN20 turrets with 303s.
I suspect the book will convince you; it is impressive.
Strange then. The fellow that told me they were Lincoln variants was a chap called Norman Gale who was foreman fitter for A.V. Roe at Langar where many were converted prior to 1950 just before some went to Scampton before making the film. You would think he would know but, I guess he may have been wrong.
That sounds about right Dave. Due to our wartime connections, the area I grew up in, in Lincs was steeped in the lore of the bomber squadrons along with many stories of the film being made, especially by one chap I know who lived at Scampton when it was being made, and my next-door-neighbour, who was a fitter at A.V. Roe's at Langar.
this has been my favorite movie since i saw it as a little girl,i am now 60 and in australia but when you think what these guys did its amazing and many of them gave the greatest sacrifice.Proud to be British.
You can also be proud to be Australian at the same time - of the 19 a/c on the raid 4 had Australian pilots - Mickey Martin, Dave Shannon, Les Knight and Robert Barlow. Barlow's aircraft was lost on the way to the target. Les Knight was killed a few months later in another raid. Martin and Shannon survived the war. The pilot of a 5th aircraft, Les Munro, was a Kiwi.
Not putting down anyone else - the British, Canadians and yes, even the Yank, Joe McCarthy. Everyone contributed.
Not to mention Gibson's bomb-aimer (Spafford, Australian), navigator (Taerum, Canadian) and front-gunner (Deering, Canadian). And I think all of Martin's crew were his co-nationals, including expedition bombing leader Bob Hay. As mig25pd says, truly a team effort by the whole Commonwealth.
it still brings a lump to my throat when i hear the 4 rolls royce merlins roar when i see the battle of britain tribute fly past at southend. the lanc flys over my house on the way to southend airport. unmistakeable sound. My father-in-law was a navigatorfor 617 squadron on that mission.
Hey, no problem! Thanks for the kind words. I actually saw this movie for the first time just last weekend, and knew I had to upload it. I have another clip where Gibson's dog gets killed, and was gonna upload it for people to laugh at (since the dog's name is so politically incorrect these days) but I was worried people would take it the wrong way.
I agree (on the Guardian, too!) but I just don't have the time to deal with it. Besides, people who have already seen the movie probably know what we're referring to and are getting a good laugh.
Black labradors and Lancasters. They sort of go together. I had a black lab for many many years and she loved flying.
Apparently Gibson was quite fond of his dog and they did consider not telling him as they thought it would only make him upset. Gibson's request that his dog be buried outside his office at the same time they would be commencing the attack was a nice gesture. The grave is still there today - with a little headstone and an iron fence to protect it. Quite touching.
R.I.P for the Heros of the RAF dead for the WORLD not just for UK, remember of it...
bode630 2 months ago
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Have a look in my Canal, because I filmed the true story about the Edertalsperre.
57Tanja 8 months ago
Daylight and precision bombing..... Aye
douglas18741892 1 year ago
I think I am the only one in all these comments that can say,"I was in that Air Raid the dambusters." I was 11 years old in 1943 when I experienced the most horrible night of my life. I can honestly say,"I went through HELL'. The destruction afterwards was nothing but death. We children had to pull all drowned Horses and cows to the empty river to burn them. There were hundreds of Animals. War is Hell no matter where it is.
Edersternchen
edersternchen 1 year ago
you can't say but a class movie i so lad thy didn't make a remake in colour that would of ruined it thanks for posting this is made my day so much better
from R -Rabbit
priceyxpress 1 year ago
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Makes you proud to be British.
freethoughtmusic 1 year ago
spitfire690, just jane at East Kirkby are looking for spares for their radio so they can get their Lanc in the air, please contact them! This is urgent!
hiramhackenbacker 1 year ago
WHAT WOULD YOUTUBE BE WITHOUT THIS SEQUENCE?
NADA
;)
LOVE FROM SWEDEN.......
voderick 1 year ago
@voderick A very interesting point - had the axis won the war , sites like facebook and youtube would be unthinkable. Come to think of it the internet may never have been invented at all......
dave41184 1 year ago
and now our children have to wear goggles to play conkers. wankers we are.
eddybullet 2 years ago 11
I just love the engine sound in this film from 1:32 to 1:55 :)
LOVLY!!
Still looking for this film as CD here in Sweden, had it before on VHS :(
voderick 2 years ago
Emergency power :) Is out on DVD in this country , try amazon
dave41184 2 years ago
yay nigger!
LOLDISNEYLAND 2 years ago
What is wrong with the Nigger line ?
Not racist, but historical fact.
DoctorScrumpy 2 years ago 4
@DoctorScrumpy
Quite right.
Guy Gibson did own a black labradour he named "Nigger" and he was tragically run down by a car in real life which makes the film "Dambusters" one of the most factually accurate war films ever made.
There is not a single refrence in the film that is untrue.
The Dambusters is the complete war film with nothing added to enhance the story.
It's all accurate stuff.
llandudnoboy 2 years ago 5
Not quite. No one in the flight saw Maudsley crash, just that faint voice. I believe that one managed to bail out of Z Zebra and a couple from Hogood's plane - miraculously!
anthonythirteen 2 years ago
I don't think in the immediate aftermath of the raid (which the final scene depicts)that the survivors from M-Mother were known about , or that Maudslay had flown on another 70 miles or so before being shot down - so in essence the film is largely correct
dave41184 2 years ago
I agree that the film largely reflects the heorism of this suicidal mission. However, I'd hope a 21st century remake could use a more balanced view. Although I'm not hopeful!
anthonythirteen 2 years ago
@DoctorScrumpy
Well yes and no. Gibson did have a dog called nigger, but unlike the movie animal, he was heartily disliked because of his habit of piddling everywhere. Todd played Gibson as Richard Todd, who was a gallant English gentleman, unlike the real Guy Gibson who was a gallant pain in the arse.
oarfrost 2 years ago
well done lads
CaptainScarlet07 3 years ago
No problem old bean. Me dad was a civvy contractor who often worked at St Vincents in Grantham, (Ops H.Q. for No. 3 Bomb Group)where the Caretaker gave me Brickhill's book to read when I was a kid, and two B&W postcards of the main Dam left over from when they were asking around for any old postcards of the Rhur Valley area.
BradBrassman 3 years ago
OK Leader.......Goner Z-Zebra
BradBrassman 3 years ago
*ahem* But on a more serious note, thanks for the clarification.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
modified film. Code word for breach was "nigger" for his dog, not "digger".
Thanks for posting clips. Have it on VHS and those Merlins are awesome with audio cranked up. Film makers did their homework on this movie and is a favorite.
speedskiff2 3 years ago
Do you mean this video is modified? This is actually the original uncut version. In fact, I almost uploaded a video with all the scenes with the commander's dog for comedic effect, but I was worried people would take it the wrong way.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
unless it's a glitch going from analog to digital, or I'm hearing it wrong, it sounds like he says "it's digger". Mine is also uncut and on VHS and thought when they transferred to digital, it was made politically correct. That's how it's advertised in Belle and Blade but they sold both versions. Excellent movie no matter what, and again, thanks for posts.
speedskiff2 3 years ago
Trust me, it's the uncensored version. I got this from the DVD my parents had, and my mom kept getting shocked every time they used the n-word, and this was one such moment. It probably sounds like "digger" because he says it so fast. Plus, as I said, the rest of the film they use *that* word for the dog's name.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
You're both wrong. The codeword for a breach on the second dam was "dinghy" not digger or nigger.
BradBrassman 3 years ago
Your mom is wrong!
OOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
Me mam diddnt say it, i did. (Dinghy) (I want a continuous loop of the three Lanc's flying over the lake at the start of this)
BradBrassman 3 years ago
Your mom said a lot last night.
OOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
Dinghy
BradBrassman 3 years ago
Stop playing with your dignhy!
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
Gibson's black labrador was nicknamed "nigger" I suppose with the PC prats of today that is what is holding up a remake of this fine film along with "dont mention the war" as you might upset a german.....
Fartsurmonde 2 years ago 5
Yes, you may be right. And of course we were just "beastly" to the Jerries eh?
BradBrassman 2 years ago
.....And every night our brave lads few into the black heart of Germany and unleashed their deadly payloads of high explosives into their black, industrial heart before going home for some well earned bacon and eggs....and we won the war. (Viz)
BradBrassman 2 years ago
Aye, coming home to a McDonalds nowadays hardly compares....
We might not talk like that these days but that does not take away from the respect we should show them.lol
Fartsurmonde 2 years ago 5
They died so we could come home to a McDonalds.. or whatever else we choose to eat!
anthonythirteen 2 years ago 5
anthonythriteen. Quite true young man ;p
Fartsurmonde 2 years ago 5
that is a most disgusting disrespectful comment.......shame
DOTTYROSETORUNSKI 2 years ago
Please explain yourself - whatever you think of McDonalds' near hegemony of fast food industry, at least there is still more of a choice than under a dictatorship. Also, people are free to criticise these 'global brands' - as well as their own government's incompetence!
anthonythirteen 2 years ago 2
@anthonythirteen I happen to think that Burger King is a far superior burger; And, did you know, they have to put those gerkins on Big Macs because there's so much sugar in them they'd have to be classed as a dessert otherwise.
BradBrassman 2 years ago
I suppose you couldn't have "its nigger" in a film anymore.
happytalk345 2 years ago
I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Todd (The Actor)and George Johnson (A survivor of the raids) tonight at a presentation regarding 617 Sqn. Great evening. Both Mr Todd and Johnson gave us a a great night of interest. Great Film!
captjamestk 3 years ago 3
Lucky. That's really cool.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
on the topic of cool and Lancasters, my granddad gave me a T1154 wireless tranmitter from a Lanc, it's still in it's original box.
spitfire690 3 years ago
i hate war, i really do hate innocent people being killed, but the inginuity, skill, bravery and balls shown by these guys make me fucking so proud to be British
bennymutant 3 years ago
You were not in one of these aircraft. These guys flew the attack, not you. So, how can you pe proud? You are Britsh by fortuity. Maybe you could also have become a German.
pizzamagaritha 3 years ago
Suppose so, if i was German i'd know what it feels like to win the world cup 3 times, but i didn't pay in the actual games so i suppose i wouldn't be proud, as a German, of that achievement?
bennymutant 3 years ago
Since 1977 the Geneva Conventions prohibit air raids on dams, because most victims are civilians! So from today's point of view this attack was not heroic but a war crime!!!
Nasenlauch 3 years ago
Yeah but back then it was A-OK
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
My Grandfather flew one of the lancasters on the raid on the second damb. he died when i was one and a half, but i know he hated the fact that so many innocent people died as a result(i understand they were mainly women and children). It was considered a necessary stragegy at the time - to halt germany's industriaul prowess, but personally i'm glad it's now prohibited.
mrfquick 3 years ago
More revisionism . That was then . This is now.
Please stop applying 2008 rules to 1943. Its pointless.
Pitcairn2 3 years ago 2
Do you also reckon that they would prohibit air attacks on heavily populated cites then for the same reason? And were the Luftwaffe raids on Warsaw, Rotterdam and Coventry war crimes then or more of your selective war history?
BradBrassman 3 years ago
I am not selective. Of course these attacks were war crimes.
Nasenlauch 3 years ago
Just proves that if you want anything good done make sure you have some Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis along.
butteminers 3 years ago 2
This movie is based in real history.
daltonagre 3 years ago
No - surely not.
Gruntol5 3 years ago
With out a doubt the best war film ever made, I don't think the new one will be as good, where are the Lancasters coming from? Love the sound of the Merlins as they pull over the mountains.
axial1680 3 years ago 2
I guess Peter Jackson will CGI it eh? But i reckon its in good hands. Also, they diddnt have Lancasters in 1953 when they made this one Axial, Those arent Lancs, they're Lincolns.
BradBrassman 3 years ago
They are Lancasters.
Read the book about the making of the film: J.Falconer:Filming the Dam Busters, 2005.
ijolite 3 years ago
Some might be but most are definately Lincolns. The wingtips are longer than a lanc, and they carry 50.cal machine guns plainly seen in the film.
BradBrassman 3 years ago
They used four Mk 7 Lancs from 20 Maintenance Unit, identified with serial numbers, 3 having already appeared in "Appointment in London". Some modifications were made to add authenticity, but they retained their post-war FN82 rear turrets with heavy machine guns, not 1943 FN20 turrets with 303s.
I suspect the book will convince you; it is impressive.
ijolite 3 years ago
They are lancasters, I think its the C version that was upgraded to be able to carry the grand slams and the bouncing bomb.
miltonluvsno1 2 years ago
Strange then. The fellow that told me they were Lincoln variants was a chap called Norman Gale who was foreman fitter for A.V. Roe at Langar where many were converted prior to 1950 just before some went to Scampton before making the film. You would think he would know but, I guess he may have been wrong.
BradBrassman 2 years ago
They might possibly have been Lancaster Mk VII's which were then redesignated Lincoln Is?
dave41184 2 years ago
That sounds about right Dave. Due to our wartime connections, the area I grew up in, in Lincs was steeped in the lore of the bomber squadrons along with many stories of the film being made, especially by one chap I know who lived at Scampton when it was being made, and my next-door-neighbour, who was a fitter at A.V. Roe's at Langar.
BradBrassman 2 years ago
Just goes to prove if you want anything doing and done well let the BRITISH do it...
baldfox2 3 years ago 5
There were non-Britons as part of the crew.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
I was an army helicopter pilot during the
Vietnam war and I did some rather exciting
night flying, but, these RAF guys during WWII
were the best without a doubt.
clpsw7 4 years ago 27
Thank you for your service.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
@clpsw7 Thankyou for your service mate....
bobkats 7 months ago
this has been my favorite movie since i saw it as a little girl,i am now 60 and in australia but when you think what these guys did its amazing and many of them gave the greatest sacrifice.Proud to be British.
clovellycorn 4 years ago 13
You can also be proud to be Australian at the same time - of the 19 a/c on the raid 4 had Australian pilots - Mickey Martin, Dave Shannon, Les Knight and Robert Barlow. Barlow's aircraft was lost on the way to the target. Les Knight was killed a few months later in another raid. Martin and Shannon survived the war. The pilot of a 5th aircraft, Les Munro, was a Kiwi.
Not putting down anyone else - the British, Canadians and yes, even the Yank, Joe McCarthy. Everyone contributed.
mig25pd 3 years ago
Not to mention Gibson's bomb-aimer (Spafford, Australian), navigator (Taerum, Canadian) and front-gunner (Deering, Canadian). And I think all of Martin's crew were his co-nationals, including expedition bombing leader Bob Hay. As mig25pd says, truly a team effort by the whole Commonwealth.
Krzyszczynski 3 years ago 3
"... a team effort by the whole Commonwealth". It was the Empire then. I don't think the Commonwealth would come to our rescue now.
dairwin2000 3 years ago 2
Makes you be proud to be british!
trucski 4 years ago 5
This is what these young man die for - freedom and free speech.May we never forget what these brave people done for us.
STITCH
stitch43 4 years ago 6
my heart goes out to the many young men that done the job on germany and never came home
philip34471 4 years ago 4
it still brings a lump to my throat when i hear the 4 rolls royce merlins roar when i see the battle of britain tribute fly past at southend. the lanc flys over my house on the way to southend airport. unmistakeable sound. My father-in-law was a navigatorfor 617 squadron on that mission.
mrploppy99 4 years ago 3
Henry, thanks once again for a great old movie. I do remember the skip bombing. All the very best to you Henry. Robert, the IncubusKing
IncubusKing 4 years ago
Hey, no problem! Thanks for the kind words. I actually saw this movie for the first time just last weekend, and knew I had to upload it. I have another clip where Gibson's dog gets killed, and was gonna upload it for people to laugh at (since the dog's name is so politically incorrect these days) but I was worried people would take it the wrong way.
HenryvKeiper 4 years ago
Just go for it, to hell with these PC twats. Thats what it was like then, We cant censor ourselves because few idiot Guardian readers.
Pitcairn2 4 years ago 2
I agree (on the Guardian, too!) but I just don't have the time to deal with it. Besides, people who have already seen the movie probably know what we're referring to and are getting a good laugh.
HenryvKeiper 4 years ago
Black labradors and Lancasters. They sort of go together. I had a black lab for many many years and she loved flying.
Apparently Gibson was quite fond of his dog and they did consider not telling him as they thought it would only make him upset. Gibson's request that his dog be buried outside his office at the same time they would be commencing the attack was a nice gesture. The grave is still there today - with a little headstone and an iron fence to protect it. Quite touching.
mig25pd 4 years ago 2