Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8867 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-11-04
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Special Features
4:3
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital English
Dolby Digital

Synopsis
A drama which follows the fortunes of Arthur Harris Commander in Chief of RAF Bomber Command in 1942. His vision is to put an end to Hitler's dominance and annihilate the German industrial heartland. Other British authoritative figures unhappy about this new kind of war ensure that Harris must look for enemies at home as well as abroad...

Customer Reviews

Bomber Harris DVD
This is a film about one of the most controversial figures of World War II. Sir Arthur Harris remains the target of criticism and vilification by many, while others believe the contribution he and his men made to victory is grossly undervalued. The film examines Harris's life from youth in Rhodesia to fighting in World War I, the inter-war years, his two families and his post-war years in South Africa and England. He reveals and analyses how Harris did his job in RAF Bomber Command during World War II, his leadership of his men in the face of appalling casualties, his disagreements with higher authority, his dealings with Churchill, his close links with the Americans, his role in directing the bombing raids against Germany, most notably at Dresden, and the way he was treated afterwards. The Bomber Harris DVD provides the most complete and rounded picture of one of the great high commanders of modern times and an outstanding military personality of World War II.

Great film
John Thaw at his best again, dealing with a difficult man who has been abandoned by the Establishnent despite his huge contribution to the War effort. It is clear from history that the "1000 bomber" raids were having a dramatic impact on the German war effort and Albert Speer himself confirmed in post war interviews that a few more devastating attacks would have brought production and the will to continue to an end. This film shows exactly how Harris was ill treated after the war and Churchill really used him as a scapegoat.
There must be huge sympathy for the poor people caught in these raids and, as with any mass killing, some diquiet. With over 50 million dead in the 5 years, 15 or 20 thousand killed in a raid, no matter how terrible, must be seen in perspective. I think this film makes you think carefully and takes you beyond the headlines. Watch it and then ask yourself, if this saved one Allied life, would you have supported Harris?

Very Good Drama
Creating empathy for Harris with a German is not easy but this drama succeeded. First of all the film shows that Harris had a clear military target and a strategic objective. Furthermore the author plays devil's advocate in suggesting that Harris' strategy of aerial bombardment would have shortened the war as opposed to aiming at specific targets. Harris' duty as a soldier is to his men and his country regardless of the cost to others. Thaw plays him as a complex character: on the one hand as a ruthless soldier but on the other hand also as a human being. The film raises a lot of moral questions and does not provide easy answers but food for thought. It also sows what a fine actor John Thaw is: here he acts very restrained and controlled as opposed to his Morse/ Regan persona.