No. 91 (2022) LANCASTER. Nov. 3rd.

 

Film No. 91  (2022) November 3rd.  4:00 PM  LUNA  Essex Cinemas,  Fremantle.

"You knew you were facing death, night after night after night, after night. It's just a thing you accepted" (A Lancaster pilot from WWII reflected on life as he knew it in the early 40's).

My father flew fighter planes during WWII. I remember him talk of his admiration for deeds carried out by his fellow compatriots, those who followed the orders of Bomber Command. The boys who flew Lancaster's. The boys who risked their lives on horrendous bombing missions over Germany. LANCASTER gave me an opportunity to truly understand the gravitas of my father's words. He often referred to them as, "those poor bastards".

After their compelling production, SPITFIRE (2018), David Fairhead and Ant Palmer have created, LANCASTER, a cinematic memorial to the plane, and those who flew her. And contrary to some beliefs, "The Lanc" had as much influence on the outcome of the war as the fighters. If you enjoyed SPITFIRE for it's diligent insight, then you'll enjoy LANCASTER equally. 

The key to LANCASTER'S riveting story are the recollections, told to camera, from those who were there. A Lancaster flew with 7 on board. Pilots, equipment operators and gunners made up the crew. The first hand insights from the folk (all in their 90's) who recite stories as if they happened yesterday, link the film's narrative perfectly.  

Sadly there has been bitterness about how these brave men and women were treated at war's conclusion. Because of the destruction and obliteration of German cities of the likes of Hamburg and Dresden, U.K. politicians spoke of their embarrassment at the senselessness of the Lancaster pushes across Europe. Brave war heroes carrying out the orders which ultimately gained the stamp of approval from the PM himself, Winston Churchill! They had a right to be miffed. 

The story of 96 Lancaster's lost in one sorte over northern Holland (the launching site of the V2 rockets) in 1944 shocked me. Hundreds of air personnel sitting and eating together one day; empty chairs and a silent dining hall the next. The futility of war is once again highlighted in LANCASTER.  9GUMS.