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In this boldly nostalgic tale of war, taking place in a single day in August 1940, the action is simplified with a limited cast and a small number of settings, primarily focusing on the cockpits of several Spitfire planes (or potentially one plane used for multiple purposes). One might assume that the production cost was minimal, perhaps only equivalent to a tin of biscuits and some tea, but the aerial footage, which is typically expensive, appears genuine and it can be assumed that special effects were necessary to depict the intense dogfights between our brave pilots and the Luftwaffe in the skies.
Callum Burn directs and co-writes this film with his father Andrew. It follows the style of previous productions from their Lincolnshire-based company Tin Hat, which specializes in telling stories of heroism and daring aerial escapades during World War II. As the number of surviving veterans dwindles, one may question the potential profitability of this niche genre in film production. However, it is likely that there are still enough individuals who long for a simpler time when traditional gender roles were upheld and the country was united in a noble cause.
The character in question is Nathan Walker (played by Vin Hawke), who is portrayed as slightly untrustworthy. Despite his modern-looking haircut resembling that of a 2020s footballer rather than a 1940s pilot, he is still a skilled and competent pilot. His main goal is to win the betting pool for shooting down the most enemy planes. This cynical mindset often causes tension between him and his fellow pilots, particularly Cochrane (played by Tom Gordon), who takes a more serious approach to their missions. Another pilot, Cooper (played by Micky David), has a more hopeful outlook and dreams of returning home to marry his sweetheart, Nancy (played by Hannah Harris, who rocks a boilersuit). In their downtime between missions, the pilots gather at the dispatch hut near the runway and engage in playful banter. However, the ringing of the telephone serves as a constant reminder of the danger they face in the air. Each mission carries the risk of not making it back alive, and sometimes there are casualties. The only solace is the possibility of returning to base to the sound of sentimental music before passing away.
It would take a lot of determination to not find these sacrifices emotionally stirring, especially at first. However, it can become repetitive over time. Nevertheless, credit to the Tin Hat team for remembering and honoring those who served.
Source: theguardian.com
