The Dam Busters: 70 Years On

Michael Anderson’s patriotic film of the RAF’s raid on the Ruhr dams during World War II remains stirring, with one significant caveat

Credit: StudioCanal

Warning: Contains spoilers

Like most British children of my generation, my first viewing of The Dam Busters wasn’t at the cinema, but on BBC television one Sunday afternoon. My father, who had seen it at the cinema during the original 1955 release, enthusiastically recommended it. I wasn’t disappointed. Having just dug out my Blu-Ray for a 70th anniversary rewatch, the film remains a perennial favourite and has aged gracefully (for the most part; I’ll get to what hasn’t aged well in due course).