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      The Big Lift

      Released Apr 26, 1950 2h 0m Drama List
      Reviews 46% Audience Score 250+ Ratings During the 1948 Berlin Airlift, as British and American forces break a Russian blockade of the divided German city, a pair of American soldiers fall in love with local women against a backdrop of increasing Cold War tensions. Ground control specialist Hank Kowalski (Paul Douglas) finds happiness with the idealistic Gerda (Bruni Löbel), but, when pilot Danny MacCullough (Montgomery Clift) falls for the beautiful, mysterious Frederica (Cornell Borchers), his friends question her motives. Read More Read Less

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      Critics Reviews

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      Roger Moore Movie Nation The first Cold War comedy seamlessly blends actors with non-acting military personnel, on location, in a historical story captured just as it happened. Rated: 3/4 Jan 30, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Michael B Available on YouTube...Fascinating to see Berlin after the war with much destruction yet partially cleaned up. This film shows the life of ordinary Germsns in this period and the complexity of their stuation and the occupying Americans. A more European approach than the Amer5 style from this period. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is part documentary, part government propaganda (maybe?), and part fiction. Production values are significantly lower than typical movies from 1950, but don't let that deter you. The film has shots of actual military aircraft, equipment, and personnel. (Aside from Clift and Douglas, all military characters were portrayed by members of the US armed services.) The film also includes scenes in occupied Germany, notably Berlin, which gives it realism that no set could provide. With no obvious conflict and no obvious villain, this movie is less an American movie and more like a foreign film. The two US airmen who could be considered protagonists are depicted as less-than-perfect, overall good men but with flaws. I was pleasantly surprised and found it a nice diversion from current events. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review kevin w An interesting experiment in a fictional motion picture in that it incorporates large bits of historical reality, in this case the ravaged city of Berlin following the fall of the Nazi regime. Very nearly a documentary in that aspect. As well, except for the lead performances (Douglas and Clift are excellent) everyone onscreen are not actors, but the real people doing their real lives. I was slow to embrace this, but now I don't think I'll ever forget it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review panayiota k Ok i get it, Berlin after WWII. Interesting but nothing special. Also Montgomery Clift had too many cute moments for a drama movie! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Servicemen learn lessons about the realities of post war while participating in an airlift to assist defeated Germany. Suprisingly well developed commentary and semi-documentary lacks much in the acting department but makes up for it in its message. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review alex k My Favorite War Film Is 1998's Saving Private Ryan. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Big Lift

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis During the 1948 Berlin Airlift, as British and American forces break a Russian blockade of the divided German city, a pair of American soldiers fall in love with local women against a backdrop of increasing Cold War tensions. Ground control specialist Hank Kowalski (Paul Douglas) finds happiness with the idealistic Gerda (Bruni Löbel), but, when pilot Danny MacCullough (Montgomery Clift) falls for the beautiful, mysterious Frederica (Cornell Borchers), his friends question her motives.
      Director
      George Seaton
      Screenwriter
      George Seaton
      Production Co
      Twentieth Century Fox
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Apr 26, 1950, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 11, 2016
      Runtime
      2h 0m
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