Dr. Dan Ellin, Historian and Archivist from the International Bomber Command Centre, joins Sean to discuss The Dam Busters (1955).
Discussion Points:
-Dan discusses his love/hate relationship with the film and it's portrayal of Operation Chastise.
-The absence of major motion pictures about RAF Bomber Command.
-The importance of collective memory regarding the Second World War.
-The use of the Dam Busters march at 'Bomber' Harris's funeral.
-The enemies in the film: bureaucrats, Whitehall and red tape.
-The fantastic casting in the film.
-The incredible flying during the making of the film.
-Putting RAF Bomber Command into historical context.
-The lack of the raid on the Sorpe Dam in the film.
-The impact of the Official Secrets Act on the film.
-Sean does his best to translate very English aspects of the film for American listeners.
-The optics of history and the loss of nuance.
-The influence on this film on George Lucas when he was making Star Wars (1977).
-The things that Britain leans back on in times of adversity.
Raised Questions:
-Do people see RAF Bomber Command as either 'Dam Busters or Dresden'?
-Are the historical details faithfully intact?
-How important are myths to a country?
-Was it really difficult for Barnes Wallis to get the idea for the raid accepted?
-Why do the British love an underdog story?
-Did the Americans have better PR and spin?