Daily Express

Brought Dam Busters raid to big screen

-

DESPERATE to shorten the Second World War, 617 Squadron mounted a heroic bombing raid to destroy three dams in the Ruhr Valley, Germany’s industrial heartland. But the dams were heavily protected by torpedo nets, preventing underwater attacks.

So engineer Barnes Wallis came up with an ingenious solution to destroy the target: the bouncing bomb. This is the storyline of the 1955 film which propelled director Michael Anderson to commercial and critical success and for which he will be best remembered.

A cinematic classic, The Dam Busters was the most popular film at the British box office that year and continues to inspire to this day.

Later this month a gala screening will be simulcast at the Royal Albert Hall and cinemas across the UK to commemorat­e the 75th anniversar­y of the Royal Air Force’s most daring operation.

In 1956 Anderson went on to direct the epic adventure film Around The World In 80 Days, based on the 1873 Jules Verne novel.

The extravagan­t motion picture won five Academy Awards including Best Picture but Anderson narrowly missed out on Best Director.

Destined for the silver screen, Anderson was born in London into a theatrical family. Both parents were actors and his great aunt was the silent film and stage actress Mary Anderson.

As a young man Anderson starred in two films before joining Elstree Studios as a production runner in 1936. By 1938 he had climbed the ranks to assistant director, with credits in films such as Spy For A Day, Freedom Radio and Quiet Wedding.

But the aspiring director joined the Royal Signal Corps during the war. Once discharged Anderson signed a contract with Associated British Picture Corporatio­n, for whom he directed five films including Will Any Gentleman…? and The House Of The Arrow. His next big blockbuste­r was Logan’s Run in 1976.

In later life Anderson focused on making TV movies and his film career spanned 60 years in total.

Married three times, he died at his home in Vancouver from heart disease and is survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters and stepchildr­en.

 ??  ?? DIRECTOR’S CUT: Anderson
DIRECTOR’S CUT: Anderson

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom