[MoMo]

I had a good look at the UTube clips of the Lancaster raid. I thought that there might be some, small clue as to the the target, if this was based on reality. I could see nothing. It must come from a TV movie, drama/doc. or some series which I've never seen.

The drama looks well staged, and the cgi mixed with real shots was done well. I'm intrigued to see more.

Do any of the other members recognise the footage of the Lancaster squadron in action ?

Thanks for creating this mystery, FlyXwire.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by MoMo

I had a good look at the UTube clips of the Lancaster raid. I thought that there might be some, small clue as to the the target, if this was based on reality. I could see nothing. It must come from a TV movie, drama/doc. or some series which I've never seen.

The drama looks well staged, and the cgi mixed with real shots was done well. I'm intrigued to see more.

Do any of the other members recognise the footage of the Lancaster squadron in action ?

Thanks for creating this mystery, FlyXwire.

No problem, MoMo. I was thinking maybe the footages came from a "made for TV movie" ala "A Piece Of Cake" production which aired on our PBS station back in 1990. The PBS program is called "Masterpiece Theatre", which incidentally shows a lot of the British syndicated drama series over here in the states.

[Canucklehead]

Not much information about this one, but those clips are from a production called "Target For Tonight". Here's the website, but there's not much for gen there either.

From the site's 'Synopsis' page:

This is not a remake of the 1941 Crown film service documentary of the same name, but a story of a bomber crews mission to Berlin in 1944. Although fictional
it could have been the true story of any of the thousands of sorties carried out by bomber command during the second world war. Filmed entirely on location at a
former RAF station in Lincolnshire, it follows S/L Les Andersons crew from briefing to raid and then the tough journey home.

[MoMo]

Not much information about this one, but those clips are from a production called "Target For Tonight". Here's the website, but there's not much for gen there either.

Thanks, Canucklehead. I thought that the drama/doc approach to the filming was interesting in that it was redolent of those wartime propaganda documentaries, while taking a thoroughly modernist stance in filmic technique and also by including the pain.

MoMo

[CRIPES_A_MIGHTY]

OK!>>OK!>>OK!!OK!..

I know its been done to death, and I don't know if it has been said already BUT.
When the Dambusters film was 1st reported as to it was going to be remade.
I re-call an interview with some of the survivors of 617sq who took part in the raid
They were told that the name of Gibsons dog maybe changed because it may course offense.
Those survivors..those men, who took part in the actual raid..risking their life..for us! don't forget.
Said they would BOYCOTT!..the film if they did not keep to the facts regarding Gibsons dog.
Im sure there were pilots of all races in the RAF..and I doubt very much..ANY of them would of complained
about Gibsons dogs name if they knew him.
Do NOT forget..Wing Commander Guy Gibson...VC holder..gave his life.
Regardless of who it may offend..do not insult the GREAT mans memory by
degrading the love he had for his dog. It was probably as close to a family member he had.
In a sence Gibsons dog, Nig***,( regardless of it's connotations, its historical FACT and I am not scared to utter it) was apart of the "War Effort". He gave Gibson pleasure, a reason to come home for.
He kept up Gibsons "moral".
Infact a lots of pilot on all sides had dogs...as friends...for the very same reason.
Facts are facts!....what ever anyone may think. War is war!...the truth should not be glossed over.

Remember....."LESS WE FORGET!"

And I will not appologise for uttering it..as I DO NOT FORGET!

[MoMo]

He kept up Gibsons "moral".
Infact a lots of pilot on all sides had dogs...as friends...for the very same reason.
Facts are facts!....what ever anyone may think. War is war!...the truth should not be glossed over.

Remember....."LESS WE FORGET!"

And I will not appologise for uttering it..as I DO NOT FORGET!
Cripes A Mighty

I take the point Cripes. Most members on the forum wouls agree with you. Moreover, the dog's name was one of the vital code words which were used to relay information to the RAF on the success of the raid. Hard to edit it out of history.

The debate and guessing game will go on, but I'm almost certain that the doggie's name will be Digger...............

[flyXwire]

MoMo, I think J.McAvoy would make a good portrayal of Com. Guy Gibson, imho. The actor seems to be all over the place with his recent films like "Atonement" and "The Young Jane Austin" he
co-starred with Anne Hathaway (man, I fell in love with her in that Indie film called "Havoc" ).... Anyhoo, any more intel on TDB???

James McAvoy reportedly in talks for role in Dambusters

Scottish actor

James McAvoy, who recently starred in Atonement alongside Saoirse Ronan, who is playing Susie in Peter Jackson’s Lovely Bones adaption, is reportedly in talks with director Christian Rivers and producers Peter Jackson and David Frost, according to scottish news website this is north scotland - news, entertainment, jobs, homes and cars.The role McAvoy is set to take is that of Wing Commander Guy Gibson who led the 617 Squadron, and dropped three bouncing bombs in Germany during the Second World War.They also mentioned that Sir Ian McKellen may be cast in the role of Barnes Wallis.British Comedian Stephen Fry, who wrote the Dambusters script, wouldn’t confirm James was in the cast, but told the newspaper: “He would certainly be the kind of person one would naturally think of. Gibson was young and glamorous and fresh-faced. It would be stupid not to look at an actor like James McAvoy.”Considering this comment and Stephen’s creative role in the film, this definately strengthens the possibility of James being cast in the role.Production of the US$100m film is set to begin in Wellington early next year.

[jim]

I think that perhaps a cast of unknowns might be a better option in a film of this type.
My reasoning is that a big name could overwhelm the essence of the film and draw people away from the fact that this is (or should be) a film about a factual series of events that real people took part in.

As to the difficult question of the dogs name, i think the original name should be retained.
I know that name has racist connotations but ( hmm how can I best make this point) I think that we do a greater disservice to African Americans by making it a big issue.
I think it would be insulting the African Americans intelligence by getting all hung up about a name.
I hope we have moved on from those days and can freely discuss such issues.
We cannot change the past but we can learn from it by not hiding anything that we dont like.
I hope the term African Americans is OK to use, I use it but I believe personally that it does not exist, you are American or not, there should not be distinctions made.

If there are any members of the forum that are in this group I would like to hear their point of view.

I hope I have not caused offence to anyone with this post it was not my intention, these things are always easier to discuss in person over a beer rather than at a distance.

[STARMAN 352ND]

FLY...If i'm right that news you posted came out around Thanksgiving last year right ??
That means fliming is starting sometime early this year 2008 ?
JP

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

FLY...If i'm right that news you posted came out around Thanksgiving last year right ??
That means fliming is starting sometime early this year 2008 ?
JP

Your guess is as good if not better than mine, JP. I eagerly await the release of this film pretty much as the 'Red Baron' which finished off filming last year!