Journey Together
| Journey Together | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John Boulting |
| Written by | John Boulting Terence Rattigan |
| Produced by | John Boulting |
| Starring | Richard Attenborough Jack Watling Edward G. Robinson John Justin David Tomlinson |
| Cinematography | Harry Waxman |
| Edited by | Reginald Beck |
| Music by | Gordon Jacob |
| Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes (UK version) 80 minutes (U.S. version) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Journey Togetheris a 1945 Britishdramawar filmdirected byJohn Boultingand starringRichard Attenborough,Jack Watling,John JustinandEdward G. Robinson.[1]It is Boulting's film directorial debut. The film was produced by theRoyal Air Force Film Production Unit.Noted dramatistTerence Rattigan,then aRoyal Air ForceFlight Lieutenant, was posted in 1943 to theRAF Film Production Unitto work onThe Way to the StarsandJourney Together.[2]
Attenborough and Watling are the twoRAFaircrew cadets the story revolves around, while Robinson and Justin play the instructors for the fledgling pilots. In the story, two Englishmen become friends while serving with theRoyal Air Force,ending with a bombing raid onBerlin.The plot emphasises the importance of team work in a bomber crew and the important role of the navigator.
Plot[edit]
Two RAF aircrew cadets, David Wilton and John Aynesworth, become friends. A friendly rivalry develops between the two when they both enter pilot training and it ends in a bet over who will become the better pilot. They pass their initial training and are sent to theUnited Statesfor more advanced instruction. Once there, it becomes clear that Wilton, while he is otherwise a good pilot, cannot land a plane properly. Wilton is devastated and the feeling worsens when he sees that Aynesworth is a natural pilot. While Aynesworth proceeds with his pilot's training, Wilton is sent toCanadato be trained as a navigator instead.
Wilton turns out to be a good navigator but he shows no enthusiasm for his training. Then, on a practice flight, the pilot, who is also one of the instructors and is aware of his attitude, secretly simulates an emergency situation to show Wilton the importance of the role of the navigator. After graduating, Wilton is posted to a squadron in Britain but his reputation has followed him. Eventually, he replaces an injured navigator on Aynesworth's flight crew on a bombing operation but their welcome is lukewarm. As they complete the bombing mission, the plane is hit and begins to lose fuel; when they have to ditch in theNorth Sea,Wilton must demonstrate everything he has learned and quickly communicate their position to base. It turns out that he has perfectly calculated their position and the rescue plane easily finds them. The crew decide they'd like to keep him.
Cast[edit]
- Richard Attenboroughas David Wilton
- Jack Watlingas John Aynesworth
- David Tomlinsonas Smith
- Sid Rider as A Fitter
- Stuart Lathamas A Flight Sergeant Fitter
- Hugh Wakefieldas Acting Lieutenant
- Bromley Challenor as A.C. 2
- Z. Perzanowski as An Anson Pilot
- Ronald Squireas Aircrew Interview Board Group Captain
- Derek Twistas Aircrew Interview Board Wing Commander
- Leslie Nixon as The Group Captain
- Len Reeve as A Corporal
- W. Busby as A Squadron Leader
- Arthur Macraeas Flight Commander
- Reginald Tateas The Commanding Officer
- Elwyn Price as An Instuctor
- Tommy Dugganas Air Gunner Cadet
- John Justinas A Flying Instructor
- Anthony Hulmeas The Chief Flying Instructor
- Michael Horroway as The Commanding Officer
- Edward Rutherford as A Wing Commander
- Sebastian Shawas Squadron Leader Marshall
- Ronald Adamas Commanding Officer at Falcon Field
- Edward G. Robinsonas Dean McWilliams
- Bessie Loveas Mary McWilliams[3]
- Norvell Crutcher as A Driver
- Arthur Bolton as Airfield Controller
- Fletcher Markle as A Staff Pilot
- Jack Baker as A Flight Commander
- Stuart Dick as A Wireless Instructor
- Peter Baylis as Cadet Wireless Instructor
- Nick Stuart as A Met. Officer
- Patrick Waddingtonas Flight Lieutenant Mander
- Tommy Tomlinson as Briefing Officer
- Michael McNeile as Fred
- Jerry Fitzgerald as Jeff
- Eric Worth as Mutt
- George Coleas Curley, Bomb Aimer, Lancaster Crew
Production[edit]
The opening credits state that the film was "Written, Produced, Directed, Photographed, and Acted by members of the Royal Air Force". The closing cast list also includes otherAllied servicespersonnel.
Richard Attenborough, the picture's lead, was 22 years old at the time of filming.
Reception[edit]
According toKinematograph Weekly,the film performed well at the British box office in 1945.[4]
References[edit]
- ^"Journey Together(1945) ".BFI.Archived fromthe originalon 3 November 2017.
- ^"Looking for Flying Officer Rattigan, Group Captain Clive Montellier RAF, 2013"(PDF).The Terence Rattigan Society.Retrieved3 November2021.
- ^Gifford, Denis, ed. (1 April 2016).British Film Catalogue.Vol. 2. Routledge. p. 530.ISBN978-1-317-74063-6.
- ^Murphy, Robert (2 September 2003).Realism and Tinsel: Cinema and Society in Britain 1939–48.Routledge. p. 208.ISBN978-1-134-90150-0.
External links[edit]
- Journey TogetheratIMDb
- Journey TogetheratAllMovie
- Journey Togetherat theTCM Movie Database
- Journey Togetherat theBritish Film Institute[better source needed]
- Journey Togetherat BritMovie.co.uk
- Review of filmatVariety