633 Squadron

1964

1h 41m

War

List

29%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Norwegian resistance fighter Erik Bergman (George Chakiris) offers the British Royal Air Force an irresistible target when he reveals the location of a secret Nazi factory. American pilot Roy Grant (Cliff Robertson) commands the fighter squadron ordered to take out the plant, but he discovers that the location is even more formidable than he had been told. When the promised ground support troops fail to show up, Grant fears he and his men are on a doomed mission.

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Garry G

Fictitious squadron and unbelievable use of the same scenes over and over during the film. Especially enjoyed the mosquito heading for the fuel tanker which in the first scene, the tanker was a Bedford RL and final scene it crashed into a Bedford QL? The German flack gunners appeared to be blown up three times going by the actor on the right of the gun. Two RAF observers watching through binoculars twice at a plane actually doing nothing spectacular. The bombs being guarded whilst towed by a Massey Ferguson T20. Who would want to steal a tractor? Very poor indeed!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/26/23

Full Review

DanTheMan 2

Clearly chasing the success that The Mirisch Company previously had with The Great Escape, 633 Squadron, on the whole, feels somewhat clichéd. The workmanlike direction from Walter Grauman pails in direct contrast to the energy and flair of the action and aerial sequences directed by Ted Sturgis. The acting for the most part is exceptionally wooden although there are a few bright spots here and there, Cliff Robertson being one of them. However, this film is fondly remembered for the rousing score by Ron Goodwin, which has taken on a life of its own outside of the film, and the magnificent flying sequences executed to the highest standard using both stunning aerial photography and superb model work. The final raid on the factory is a highlight of the entire picture and worth the price of admission alone, in what is ultimately a suicide run, later inspiring the iconic trench run finale of Star Wars. What it may lack in tension, 633 Squadron is perfectly acceptable entertainment, if somewhat abrupt at the end.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/11/23

Full Review

Jerry A

The best part of this movie is seeing the Wooden Wonder actually flying, and the trope of the main mission which was flying at nearly sea level up a narrow fjord, dropping a special type of bomb to impact a rocky overhang in an attempt to cause an avalanche to bury a fortified facility which was part of the Nazi A-bomb program. Once the bomb is dropped the Mosquitos must execute a maximum G pull-up to avoid crashing into the mountains. If this sounds like the climactic scene in "Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope" or the main mission in "Top Gun Maverick" then you get the idea. This is the original. Otherwise a fairly run of the mill movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

David B

Better than the vast majority of movies today as long as you can get past the antiquated special effects

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

Full Review

Justine Isaac R

as war fan the movie was ok. but the problem was the story and the special effects.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/30/22

Full Review

Audience Member

good WWII pic post WWII

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Walter Grauman

Director

Cliff Robertson

Wing Cmdr. Roy Grant

George Chakiris

Lt. Erik Bergman

Maria Perschy

Hilde Bergman

Harry Andrews

Air Vice Marshal Davis

Donald Houston

Group Capt. Don Barrett

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Variety Staff

Variety

Unfortunately, this technical prowess is not matched by the drama it adorns.

Jun 11, 2008

Full Review

Eugene Archer

New York Times

Cliff Robertson, an intelligent and quietly competent leading man, lends a measure of dignity to the overblown activities, with no assistance from the dialogue.

May 10, 2005

Full Review

Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

Even in the most ridiculous war films there are moments when it can make you feel sick, this mockery of courage, this withering away of the truth.

Mar 6, 2024

Full Review

Christopher Lloyd

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

This ham-handed WWII picture about an international squadron of Allied pilots is hardly the best way to remember the late, great Cliff Robertson.

Rated: 1.5/5

Sep 19, 2011

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Dated flying effects hurt this above average WWII actioner.

Rated: 3/5

May 25, 2007

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 9, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Norwegian resistance fighter Erik Bergman (George Chakiris) offers the British Royal Air Force an irresistible target when he reveals the location of a secret Nazi factory. American pilot Roy Grant (Cliff Robertson) commands the fighter squadron ordered to take out the plant, but he discovers that the location is even more formidable than he had been told. When the promised ground support troops fail to show up, Grant fears he and his men are on a doomed mission.

Director: Walter Grauman
Producer: Lewis J. Rachmil
Screenwriter: James Clavell, Howard Koch
Production Co: United Artists
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 41m

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