Reach for the Sky1956Reach for the Sky
1956
Douglas Bader, a cocky young RAF pilot, loses both legs in a 1931 crash. He learns to walk on artificial legs, fights his way back into the cockpit for the Battle of Britain, and is eventually shot down and taken prisoner.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A true story of grit after catastrophe, with Kenneth More as Bader and his wife Thelma's loyal love beside him.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Bader's crash, his double amputation and despair in hospital, and the aerial combat may be intense for little ones. His showing off causes the crash, and the film lets his pride be tempered without losing his spirit, which is a natural talk; smoking and drinking in the officers' mess.
Reach for the Sky (1956)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- How did Bader's crash happen? Could it have been avoided?
- How did Thelma help him?
- Why did he refuse to give up flying?
- What did he do as a prisoner?
Content advisory
WebSearch synthesis (BFI and others): aircraft crashes, an amputation and hospital scenes, wartime aerial combat, and prisoner-of-war captivity; period smoking and drinking.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Reach For the Sky (1956)
DVD · October 18, 2011
Blu-ray listed on Blu-ray.com (release date unconfirmed)
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.