Appointment in London (1953)

Appointment in London covers one hectic but typical month in Summer 1943 among the men of RAF Bomber Command.

Tired but tenacious Wing Commander Tim Mason (Dirk Bogarde) commands a squadron of Avro Lancaster bombers and has personally completed 89 missions over Germany.

Despite volunteering to extend his tour of operations to 90 missions, Mason is grounded by Bomber Command on the eve of a large nighttime raid and banned from any further flying.

With several recent bombing raids failing, losses mounting and accidents increasing, some members of Mason’s crews – including Australian Flight Lieutenant Bill Brown (Bill Kerr) – believe the squadron is jinxed. To assuage their fears, Mason disobeys the ban and travels on the raid with the crew of the Lancaster V-Victor, commanded by Brown.

During the bombing raid – which is filmed with exceptional authenticity and power – the Master Bomber (Pathfinder) plane directing the attack is shot down, causing the remaining bombers to begin bombing inaccurately. Mason takes the Master Bomber’s place, broadcasting corrections and instructions over the radio, and the bombing becomes accurate again.

Meanwhile, back in England, Mason’s commanding officer, Group Captain Logan (Ian Hunter) hears the radio broadcasts and realises that Mason has disobeyed orders and flown on the operation. But it is Mason’s intervention that has turned the bombing raid from failure to success.

At the end of the film, Mason takes a taxi to Buckingham Palace with Brown and Pilot Office Greeno’s widow (Anne Leon) to receive the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) from the King.

Filmed on location at RAF Upwood in Cambridgeshire. Released in North America as Raiders in the Sky.

Wing Commander Tim Mason
Dirk Bogarde
Group Captain Logan
Ian Hunter
Eve Canyon
Dinah Sheridan
Pilot Officer Peter “the Brat” Greeno
Bryan Forbes
Flight Lieutenant Bill Brown
Bill Kerr
Major “Mac” Baker
William Sylvester
Mulvaney
Walter Fitzgerald
Mrs Pam Greeno
Anne Leon
Smithy
Anthony Shaw
Dobbie
Charles Victor
Pascal
Richard Wattis
Ackroyd
Sam Kydd
Dr Buchanan
Terence Longdon
Saunders
Harold Siddons

Director
Philip Leacock

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