| Lancaster Skies | |
| Director: | Callum Burn |
| Producer: | Andrew Burn Callum Burn |
| Music: | James Griffiths |
| Cinematography: | Sam Parsons |
| Editing: | Callum Burn |
| Studio: | Tin Hat Productions |
| Distributor: | Kaleidoscope Film Distribution |
| Runtime: | 98 minutes |
| Language: | English |
| Budget: | £80,000 |
| Gross: | $67,520[1] |
Lancaster Skies is a 2019 British war film focusing on the British bomber campaign in World War II.[2] It is a homage to the British war films of the 1940s and 1950s.
1943: Angry and bereaved by the death of his younger brother, Flight Lieutenant Douglas Miller, a broken, solitary, Spitfire ace, who survived the Battle of Britain, transfers to RAF Bomber Command, determined to take the war to the skies over Germany. On arriving at his new posting, he is given the unenviable task of replacing the much-loved skipper of an experienced Lancaster bomber crew, who was killed in action just days before. Struggling to bond with his new crew and obsessed with his desire to wage war at any cost, Miller tries to find a way to gain their trust and overcome his inner demons, to become the leader they need.[3]
With a total budget of £80,000, the visual elements proved very challenging. In keeping with the retro style of the film, scale models were used for most visual effects. Digital effects were kept to a minimum.[4] [5] [6] [7]
The Guardian gave the film two stars, saying: "Lancaster Skies feels like cinema made in a sensory deprivation tank—fear, desperation and the roar of engines are all missing in action. When the climactic battle sequence finally arrives there's little dread or excitement".[8]
Every Film Blog gave the film 6/10, and said: "Burn didn't have money to throw around on Lancaster Skies but he has, nevertheless, created a movie which makes its audience think".[9]
Road Rash Reviews gave the film 5/5, saying: "Lancaster Skies is a World War II tale that is strongly character driven, with high production values, which set this film at a stratospheric height".[10]