This movie was made in September, 1939 shortly after the opening of hostilities in World War II. The producer/director Alexander Korda wanted to show that Britain was well-prepared to resist whatever Hitler was going to throw at her. In reality, after a raid by Wellington bombers on the German base at Kiel as shown in the movie, things did not go well for England.
In the movie, the Battle of Britain comprised attacks by a strange assortment of German cargo planes (Ju-52 and Focke-Wulf Kondors) and British light bombers (Fairey Battles) which were easily defeated by the Spitfires of the RAF. The film's British defense also included barrage balloons, searchlights, and FLAK, and a Fighter Command control room populated by male operators.
Naturally, there is no mention of the Chain Home radar system that was actually an essential component of the defense, as England desperately needed to keep that secret. The actual Fighter Command control room with the big map was mainly operated by women, as young men were needed elsewhere.
In reality, the Battle of Britain during the Spring and Summer of 1940 was a much more desperate affair. Although the Germans were never able to gain air superiority over the Channel, the supply of pilots for the RAF was rapidly reaching criticality. The movie "The Battle of Britain" of 1969 is a more accurate account.
The Blitz, the Germans' attempt at terror bombing after they lost the Battle of Britain, killed 40,000 civilians. This was an outcome not predicted in "The Lion Has Wings."
In the movie, the Battle of Britain comprised attacks by a strange assortment of German cargo planes (Ju-52 and Focke-Wulf Kondors) and British light bombers (Fairey Battles) which were easily defeated by the Spitfires of the RAF. The film's British defense also included barrage balloons, searchlights, and FLAK, and a Fighter Command control room populated by male operators.
Naturally, there is no mention of the Chain Home radar system that was actually an essential component of the defense, as England desperately needed to keep that secret. The actual Fighter Command control room with the big map was mainly operated by women, as young men were needed elsewhere.
In reality, the Battle of Britain during the Spring and Summer of 1940 was a much more desperate affair. Although the Germans were never able to gain air superiority over the Channel, the supply of pilots for the RAF was rapidly reaching criticality. The movie "The Battle of Britain" of 1969 is a more accurate account.
The Blitz, the Germans' attempt at terror bombing after they lost the Battle of Britain, killed 40,000 civilians. This was an outcome not predicted in "The Lion Has Wings."