Lewis gilbert, 1956 is a celebration of one mans heroism. During his life he flew over 5,700 hours in both wartime and peace time. It tells the story of douglas bader a british ace who lost both legs as a result of some aerobatics in a plane crash in 1931. Douglas bader died in 1982, but his heroic memory remains an inspiration to many throughout the world. Reach for the sky is a 1956 british biographical film about aviator douglas bader, based on the 1954 biography of the same. Douglas bader is an amazing man, with great courage and determination. Reach for the sky 1956 trivia 29 add new in the same year this film was released douglas bader caused great controversy with his racist remarks on the public statements of african commonwealth nations in regard to the suez crisis. His loss of both legs in a flying accident in 1931 has been well documented. May 22, 2012 based on the novel by paul brickhill, this is the remarkable true story of douglas bader, a pilot in the raf who overcomes every obstacle to prove his worth. The 1956 film reach for the sky, starring kenneth more is based on douglas baders life. It won the bafta award for best british film of 1956. One of the many inspirational true stories told about wwii, this is the story of douglas bader, an undauntable character who was involved in an accident which cost him both of his legs. The inspirational lifestory of douglas bader, double amputee and second world war fighter ace who repeatedly refused to give up in the face of overwhelming odds.
The initial print run of 300,000 quickly sold out, as the biography became the biggestselling hardback in postwar britain. His father, frederick roberts bader, was a civil engineer, and his mother, jessie scott mackenzie, was a housewife. After losing both legs in an air crash in 1931 and being dismissed as a cripple by the royal air force, he fought his. He and his older brother, derick, often argued when they were youngsters, with douglas constantly leaping at any challenges and dares. Nov 02, 2001 douglas bader is an amazing man, with great courage and determination. This copy bears bader s signature on the front free endpaper. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain a ballantine book paul brickhill on. But the war was only an episode in a greater victory, his triumph over a.
Muriel pavlow, actress best known for her roles in reach. Muriel pavlow as thelma bader, the wife of the war hero douglas bader, played by kenneth more, in the 1956 film reach for the sky. Douglas baders return to fight happened here most of the british population must surely have heard of the exploits of the icon that was douglas bader, through the book and 1950s film biopic reach for the sky. Definition of reach for the sky in the idioms dictionary. Wednesday 27th december 2006 i found myself watching reach for the sky for the umpteenth time yesterday, and was appalled to notice that. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain bluejacket books 9781557502223. Reach for the sky, cassell military paperba by paul. Douglas bader was born in london, england on february 21, 1910.
Reach for the sky the story of douglas bader by paul. This is the true story of a man who was discharged from the r. The son of civil engineer frederick bader and his wife jessie, douglas spent his first two years with relatives on the isle of man as his father had to return to work in india. Reach for the sky 1956 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
This latest look at his exploits is based on a book on the warburg escape. Reach for the sky is a 1956 british biographical film, starring kenneth more and directed by lewis gilbert it is a biopic about aviator douglas bader, based on the 1954 biography of the same name by paul brickhill. The films composer john addison was bader s brotherinlaw. In 1931, at the age of 21, douglas bader was the golden boy of the raf. Brickhill did well out of the book, which irritated bader. Douglas bader loses both legs in a 1931 air crash, learns to walk on artificial limbs and flies again in world war ii. Hardcover january 1, 1954 by paul brickhill author. Reach for the sky, by paul brickhill was first published in 1954. But one afternoon in december all his ambitions came to an. This edition features an afterword by douglas bader and contemporary photographs. For a hollywoodised but basically correct illustration of bader s life try seeking out the movie reach for the sky which is the douglas bader biopic, it is available very cheaply on dvd or you may even find i8t on a cable movie channel or web download. Reach for the sky by paul brickhill a douglas bader life story 1954 edition. A biography about douglas bader by paul brickhill, reach for the sky, was published in 1954 and became a best seller. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain bluejacket books paperback november 2, 2001.
He tells the inspiring story of the battle of britain from the viewpoint of the few. Reach for the sky not rated 2h 3min biography, drama, war 27 july 1956 ireland biopic of raf group captain douglas bader who, after having lost. Classic biopic about the heroic life of douglas bader, who became a world war ii ace after losing both legs in an air crash. The gripping life story of douglas bader, double amputee and second world war fighter ace. Paul brickhills biography of bader, reach for the sky, was published in 1954 and was later made into a movie. The man who reached for the sky hillingdon hospital. Bader s autobiography, fight for the sky, appeared in 1973.
It won an award for best british film that year and was also the most popular. To reach for the sky with the douglas bader foundation 2015 12 may 2015 admin film, good causes, history, inspiring, other friends work we like, patrons and ambassadors, people, pilot in command, pioneers, plane trips, ppl training. Despite his incredible disability, when england declared war on nazi germany, douglas convinced the british raf to recommission him as a fl. Bader pursued his career in the oil industry after he decided to leave the raf in 1946.
He is a young and ambitious pilot who, after a plane crash, is badly injured. To reach for the sky with the douglas bader foundation. Douglas bader house in fairford is now the headquarters for the raf charitable trust. Paul brickhill wrote reach for the sky really well. While many 1950s war films highlighted the value of strong leadership, few concentrated so singlemindedly on the exploits of one man. Reach for the sky is a 1956 british biographical film, starring kenneth more and directed by lewis gilbert. Reach for the sky 1956 movie clip helpless cripple. Bader is credited with shooting down over 20 enemy aircraft during the war and damaging several others. The story of douglas bader dso, dfc unabridged audiobook, by paul brickhill. Signed copies of this book appear to be extremely scarce. Biopic of raf group captain douglas bader who, after having lost both legs, flew a british fighter plane during ww2.
Classic biopic about the heroic life of douglas bader, who became a. The inspirational story of douglas bader, dso, dfc. She is best remembered as douglas bader s loyal wife in reach for the sky 1956, and as the student nurse for whom dirk bogarde falls in doctor in the house 1954. She was a former nurse who worked during world war two and became sir douglas second wife. Lympne and reach for the sky douglas baders return to fight happened here. Some 172,000 copies were sold in the first few months alone. Bader recognised that the producers had deleted all those habits he displayed when on operations, particularly his prolific use of bad language. The true story of airman douglas bader who overcame the loss of both legs in a 1931 flying accident to become a successful fighter pilot and. Dec 31, 2015 lady joan bader passed away peacefully in her sleep at her care home in rhayader, south wales. With kenneth more, muriel pavlow, lyndon brook, lee patterson. A biography about douglas bader by paul brickhill, reach for the sky, was published in 1954.
Based on the novel by paul brickhill, this is the remarkable true story of douglas bader, a pilot in the raf who overcomes every obstacle to prove. Douglas bader was born douglas robert steuart bader, on february 21, 1910, in st johns wood, london. I found myself watching reach for the sky for the umpteenth time yesterday, and was appalled to notice that the damned pc thought police have cut all reference to douglas bader s dog a black. Reach for the sky was the title of a film and a book about baders life released in 1950s. Bader s life story has already been the subject of the successful film reach for the sky in 1956 starring kenneth more. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Sir douglas robert steuart bader is one of the most famous pilots of the second world war he is credited with 20 aerial victories,6 probable victories, 4 shared victories and eleven enemy aircraft damaged. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain bluejacket books paperback 1 oct 2001 by paul brickhill author 4. Most of the british population must surely have heard of the exploits of the icon that was douglas bader, through the book and 1950s film biopic reach for the sky. Douglas bader biography facts, childhood, family life. Flier douglas bader loses his legs in a 1931 crash and rejoins the raf as a world war ii wing commander. When the film reach for the sky bader s story, was released, people associated bader with the.
Based on the novel by paul brickhill, this is the remarkable true story of douglas bader, a pilot in the raf who overcomes every obstacle to prove his worth. This is the remarkable true story of douglas bader, a pilot in the raf who overcomes every obstacle to prove his worth. After losing both legs in an air crash in 1931 and being dismissed as a cripple by the royal air force, he fought his way back into the cockpit of a spitfire to become one of the great heroes of the battle of britain. Bader more is a skilled royal air force raf pilot but receives reprimands for his disregard for service discipline and flight rules, eventually suffering a crash at an aerial. Arriving to join the air force as a cadet, douglas bader rides up to the gatehouse of the rafs college at cranwell. Reach for the sky is a 1956 british biographical film about aviator douglas bader, based on the 1954 biography of the same name by paul brickhill.
The true story of airman douglas bader who overcame the loss of both legs in a 1931 flying accident to become a successful fighter pilot and wing leader during. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Dave aka spike confirms this as raf cranwell, adding that the building on the left is still the main guard room, prior to which it was the raf cranwell railway station. Douglas was the second child in the family and had an elder brother. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain. Douglas baders great escape from the nazis to be made. The film stars kenneth more and was directed by lewis gilbert.
Reach for the sky by brickhill, paul, sir douglas bader afterword. Cassell military paperbacks new ed by paul brickhill isbn. Buy a cheap copy of reach for the sky book by paul brickhill. But one afternoon in december all his ambitions came to an abrupt end when he crashed his plane. It is a biopic about aviator douglas bader, based on the 1954 biography of the same name by paul brickhill. He was knighted in 1976 for his work on behalf of the disabled. Sep 14, 2015 when the film reach for the sky baders story, was released, people associated bader with the quiet and amiable personality of actor kenneth more who played bader in the film.
Reach for the sky is a 1956 film starring kenneth more, muriel pavlow, lyndon brook. Paperback paul brickhill reach for the sky id245z new. The eyes wandered down and absorbed with curiosity. Douglas joined the raf in 1928 during 1931 whilst attempting aerobatics he crashed his aircraft and lost both. Bader attributed his success to the belief in the three basic rules, shared by the german aceofaces erich hartmann. After losing both legs in an air crash in 1931 and being dismissed as a cripple by the royal air force, he fought his way back into the cockpit of a spitfire to become one of the great. She thought it a great story, and i didnt realise how good the film had aged, but yes like a fine antique reach for the sky as took on a fine patina that still shines bright in the 21st century.
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