8mm Forum: 633 Squadron Derann LPP Scope on 1 x 1200ft spool

This is topic 633 Squadron Derann LPP Scope on 1 x 1200ft spool in forum 8mm Print Reviews at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on September 06, 2017, 03:18 PM:

Well now boys and girls, what we have here is a superb mini feature release from Derann, originally supplied ,(like police academy 2 etc), on 2 x 600ft spools and now all on one 1200 reel, the classic British made war movie with the unforgettable score by Ron Goodwin, although i will say it never changes at all throughout the film. We bought this one way back now and i do remember the original write up by Derann who did point out that there was a couple of negative marks but they went ahead and released it as this really doesn't spoil the movie at all. The quality of this scope print is one of the best, very sharp, great sound and the contrast is spot on with vibrant colours throughout. If you see this one for sale it really is a corker & is well worth adding to your collection. The action fills the scope screen and for super 8 this is one of Deranns best titles.

Before the images here is the plot of this version,
633 Squadron is assigned to destroy a German V-2 rocket fuel plant. The squadron is led by Wing Commander Roy Grant, an ex-Eagle Squadron pilot (an American serving in the RAF before the US entered the war).
The plant is in a seemingly impregnable location beneath an overhanging cliff at the end of a long, narrow fjord lined with numerous anti-aircraft guns. The only way to destroy the plant is by collapsing the cliff on top of it, a job for 633 Squadron's fast and manoeuvrable de Havilland Mosquitos. The squadron trains in Scotland, where there are narrow glens similar to the fjord. There, Grant is introduced to Bergman's sister, Hilde. They are attracted to each other, despite Grant's aversion to wartime relationships.
The Norwegian resistance is tasked with destroying the anti-aircraft defences of the facility immediately before the scheduled attack. When unexpected German reinforcements arrive, Bergman returns to Norway to try to gather more forces. However, he is captured while transporting desperately needed weapons, taken to Gestapo headquarters and tortured for information. Since Bergman knows too much, he must be silenced before he breaks. Grant and newly married Pilot Officer Bissell are sent in with a single Mosquito to bomb the Gestapo building. Though they are successful, their shot-up Mosquito fighter-bomber crashes on its return, and Bissell is wounded and becomes blind. A tearful Hilde thanks Grant for ending her brother's suffering.
Still worried, Air Vice-Marshal Davis decides to move up the attack to the next day. However, the resistance fighters are ambushed and killed, leaving the defences still intact. Although Grant is given the option of aborting, he decides to press on. The factory is destroyed at the cost of the entire squadron, though a few crews are able to ditch in the fjord. Grant crash-lands but a local man helps Grant's navigator, Flight Lieutenant Hoppy Hopkinson, pull the wounded wing commander from the burning wreckage. Back in Britain, Davis tells a fellow officer who is aghast at the losses, "You can't kill a squadron."

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on September 06, 2017, 03:33 PM:

Another outstanding print in your collection Tom!
Thanks for sharing here Tom and great review once more my friend [Smile]

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on September 06, 2017, 03:38 PM:

I have part 2 only bought cheap due to being dark. I agree it is great entertainment.

Posted by Mark Mander (Member # 340) on September 07, 2017, 07:55 AM:

I have this film too and it's a great 1200 footer,recorded mine into stereo and the plane scenes sound amazing,to be fair the original mono recording was very good but it does benefit from a stereo recording,Mark

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on September 08, 2017, 01:29 AM:

I seem to recall that the 35mm print that Derann were given to edit was in pretty bad shape, with some scenes having frames missing and jumps in dialogue.

One of the Derann boys did the editing of the 2 x 600ft and a sterling job of producing the finished product.

[ September 08, 2017, 07:38 AM: Message edited by: Rob Young. ]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on September 08, 2017, 04:19 AM:

Those screen shots look great [Cool]

I remember watching it at the cinema when it came out in the 60s, you never forget Ron Goodwin outstanding score [Smile]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on September 08, 2017, 03:09 PM:

Very true Graham, and Ron Goodwin was born here in Plymouth, some great themes over the years with Battle of Britain, Frenzy, The Trap, The Magnificent two, to name only a few. [Wink]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on September 08, 2017, 10:45 PM:

Tom
Ron Goodwin was very popular out here and did quite a few tours around the country with the New Zealand Symphony. I remember a All Black Captain speaking once to Ron on stage, saying something along the lines, that if he could get his team to synchronize play like Ron does with his orchestra, they would very much be a winning team [Big Grin]

Anyway better not ramble on to much, I will keep any eye out for one of those prints in the future. I did however come across this second hand copy LP last year of the soundtrack. I think its a 1970s reissue album...its very good.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on September 09, 2017, 01:12 AM:

Nice one Graham, my Brother also has this one, he use to buy movie soundtrack LPs in the 70's. [Wink]

If you should find a copy of the derann 2 x 600 you must grab it, this one doesn't disappoint, [Wink]

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