Breaking the Sound Barrier

Released Dec 21, 1952

1h 55m

Adventure

List

80%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

63%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

With a passion for aviation design and engineering, wealthy oilman John Ridgefield (Ralph Richardson) is determined to break the sound barrier with the aircraft company he owns. He has already lost his son in the pursuit, and his daughter, Susan (Ann Todd), resents her father even more when he chooses her husband, World War II pilot Tony Garthwaite (Nigel Patrick), to be one of the test pilots. Yet Ridgefield stands resolute in the name of scientific progress.

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David Denby

New Yorker

The aerodynamic issues in the movie may now be antiquated, but the excitement and beauty of early jet aviation are still irresistible.

May 1, 2013

Full Review

Empire Magazine

It's an interesting scientific-military soap opera, acted with stiff upper-lip restraint by a great cast, but Lean's visual sense really comes into play in the aerial sequences.

Rated: 4/5

May 1, 2013

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

This must be said about this picture: it soars far above its clumsy tag and it comes pretty close to being the most exalting of contemporary films.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 1, 2013

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

This aircraft film directed by Lean is very exciting. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

One of the more overlooked achievements from the director of The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia.

Rated: 3/4

May 12, 2020

Full Review

Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

Thoughtful and thrilling test pilot drama; moments of peril.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 12, 2020

Full Review

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Audience Member

An absolute classic! The movie is a master class in movie making, superb cinematography and well acted too.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

one of leans 'little pictures'

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The subject matter sounds very boring, but the film does manage to bring some credible drama to what is essentially a film about testing jet engines.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

David Lean at his most effective.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An exciting Lean film and unlike anything I've really seen from him before. It is a smaller scale to most of his best works but it contains plenty of thrills.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Love that movie. Ralph Richardson was so good!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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David Lean

Director

Ralph Richardson

John Ridgefield

Ann Todd

Susan Garthwaite

Nigel Patrick

Tony Garthwaite

John Justin

Philip Peel

Joseph Tomelty

Will Sparks

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Synopsis

With a passion for aviation design and engineering, wealthy oilman John Ridgefield (Ralph Richardson) is determined to break the sound barrier with the aircraft company he owns. He has already lost his son in the pursuit, and his daughter, Susan (Ann Todd), resents her father even more when he chooses her husband, World War II pilot Tony Garthwaite (Nigel Patrick), to be one of the test pilots. Yet Ridgefield stands resolute in the name of scientific progress.

Director: David Lean
Producer: David Lean
Screenwriter: Terence Rattigan
Distributor: Lopert Pictures Corp.
Production Co: London Film Production, British Lion Film Corporation
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 1952, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 27, 2008
Runtime: 1h 55m