Reach for the Sky

---

- Contact.

- Contact.

(engine stalls)

(engine starts)

I'm just joining.

New cadets report at the Cadets' Mess

at the top of the road.

Right. Thank you.

Gentlemen...

...atten-shun!

- What is your name, sir?

- Bader.

- Are you a comedian?

- No, sir.

- What is wrong with your hat?

- I can't see it, sir.

Take it off, sir!

Well?

I had an accident on my way here.

- I fell off my motorcycle.

- You fell off your motorcycle.

- How do you expect to fly an aeroplane?

- I expect to be taught.

Another funny man.

And what is your name, sir?

Sanderson, Flight Sergeant.

I bet you don't laugh so much

from now on, Mr Sanderson, sir.

Gentlemen...

...move to the right in fours. Form fours!

Right!

By the left, left wheel...

...quick march!

(Sanderson) As Douglas Bader marched

across Cranwell's parade ground...

...in September of 1928...

...I marched beside him.

Two young men for whom living...

...meant flying.

Douglas was airborne within days...

...on his first instructional flight

in an Avro 504.

From the very beginning,

he loved every minute of it.

You must relax. You're still too tensed up.

Now try another turn.

Don't shove it, guide it gently.

Feel the aeroplane's part of you.

That's better.

I'm beginning to feel the plane now, sir.

Never call it a plane, Bader,

it's an aeroplane.

Yessir.

- I want you to try a landing.

- Right.

OK, you've got her.

Now turn in.

I've got her.

Perhaps we'll try again tomorrow.

You mightn't be valuable to the Air Force,

but I am!

Not bad.

Three in a row without terrifying me.

- Thank you.

- You're nearly ready to go solo.

- How do you feel about it?

- Fine, sir.

Take off, fly a circuit and land,

then come in. I'll be watching.

Very good, sir.

Cut back a bit!

(all hum "John Brown's Body" drunkenly)

(shouting raucously)

- 20 minutes late again.

- Names, gentlemen.

- Bader.

- Sanderson.

(Douglas) Bet I've written this off.

(Sanderson) She's okay.

Douglas... PC Trouble.

You the four who passed me in the lane?

- (All) No!

- Which of you owns the bike?

- Me. Flight Cadet Bader.

- Bayder.

Bader!

Flight Cadet... Bayder.

It's the third time I've had you

for cycling offences.

- You'll get us in trouble again.

- No rear light.

Well, I did have.

You won't pinch me for that?

It's either that

or not being in proper control.

Don't be greedy.

I'll take the no rear light.

Either spells trouble.

I'll serve the summons tomorrow.

Nice to feel wanted!

You're a menace to everybody

on the road.

- Goodnight, officer.

- Goodnight.

(laughter)

You came here a year ago on a prize

cadetship having passed in six.

You've not only done no work...

...you seem to regard authority

as a challenge to be defied.

Now this latest escapade!

Well, have you anything else to say?

l-I think it must be a reaction.

I've been working very hard for the exam.

You may be interested in the results, then.

Yessir.

- Out of 21 entries, you were 19th.

- Oh.

You fly well and you're good at games.

But it's not enough.

You'd better change considerably

or you'll go.

We don't want schoolboys in the RAF,

we want men. That's all.

Yessir.

- How many has Bader got?

- 102. Pity it's his last game.

Four more and you've beaten us.

(applause)

- Well done!

- Thanks.

- The postings are up.

- Are we together?

- Yes, at Kenley.

- 23 Squadron!

- Congratulations!

- And the same to you, sir!

Good innings.

I see you're both going to Kenley.

It'll keep all the trouble in one spot!

We'll liven things up!

Atten-shun!

General salute!

(trumpet fanfare)

- Sanderson.

- Yessir?

Was that you I saw falling out of a roll?

Yessir. Actually, I didn't fall out,

I came out lower down.

They are different from the Gamecocks.

Don't do it without plenty of height.

All of you, no low aerobatics.

- All right if you know your stuff.

- Two pilots were killed last month.

- They knew their stuff.

- They were unlucky.

Since the air display,

you're the worst offender.

Better pilots than you have died.

Surely we don't have to obey

all the regulations.

Rules are written

for the obedience of fools...

...and the guidance of wise men.

- Yessir.

Douglas, a good pilot shouldn't

have to prove it all the time.

I understand, sir.

- See you at the mess dance tonight?

- You bet, sir.

# "Love Is The Sweetest Thing"

- You're always in a hurry.

- When was I hurrying?

- Playing rugby for the Harlequins.

- Are you a fan?

You are quite a celebrity.

- What are you up to on Monday?

- Making love to Sally, I hope!

- Care to join Reading Aero Club?

- Yep, count me in.

- Where do you live, Sally?

- About 40 miles away.

- I'll run you home. Let's go.

- What about Johnny?

- Besides, there's Hilda.

- Look.

- I'll get my coat.

- Come on, let's go.

I'll wait here for you.

- And very nice, too.

- Hello, sir.

- Enjoying yourself?

- Rather!

I did mean what I said this afternoon.

About showing off? I deserved it.

It's dangerous to be too sure of yourself.

Just watch it.

- I will, sir.

- Goodnight, Douglas. Behave yourself.

What does he mean, behave yourself?

He's talking about Monday, not tonight!

Must be some Service boys here.

- That's the RAF's standard fighter.

- Terrifically fast.

- Hello, Jones. Just come in?

- Yes, from Heston.

Have you met these RAF chaps?

- Saw your Bulldog.

- I saw you play for Inter-Services.

- It's said you'll play for England.

- Well, I may be lucky.

Well, well, quite the all-rounder.

Rugger, cricket, boxing, Hendon.

Some show you put on at Hendon!

- Pricky Day's a great pilot.

- We ought to go.

- Why don't you beat up the field?

- No chance, old boy.

- Come on, give us a show!

- You heard Sanderson.

- The CO forbids the low stuff.

- Oh(!)

- Come on, we ought to get back.

- Sorry.

These boys only perform...

...when there's a crowd.

(panicked shouting)

See where the ambulance is! Hurry it up!

Hold on, we'll have you out in a moment.

Get those parachutes clear.

Take it easy, Douglas. They won't be long.

- This is damn silly. Let me get up.

- No, hold on, old boy. Lie still.

John... I can't feel my legs.

- (knock at door)

- Come in.

Mr Joyce, have you time to see

a young RAF officer?

- He's had a very bad crash.

- I have an appointment.

The House Surgeon says

there's very little hope.

- Tell Taylor I'll be delayed.

- You've only just caught him.

Yes, it was lucky.

This patient needs all the luck he can get.

(Joyce) Pulse is stronger.

It's amazing. He should be dead.

- (Price) He must be fit.

- Let me see the X-rays. Right leg.

Left leg.

Hello, you've had an accident.

Don't worry, just lie back.

- We'll fix you up.

- Don't give me anaesthetic, doc.

- I can't bear the stuff.

- We'll see things are all right.

Relax.

Now breathe... quite naturally.

What's the extent of his injury?

Right leg's practically severed,

left leg's crushed.

Two ribs broken.

Minor facial injuries.

We have to work fast.

He's lost a lot of blood.

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