The Dam Busters

UK (1954): War

The British are desperate to shorten the length of WW II and propose a daring raid to smash Germany's industrial heart. At first the objective looks impossible until a British scientist invents an ingenious weapon capable of destroying the planned target. Low level Bombers from England drop skimming bombs into reservoirs in the Ruhr water system to cause floods destroying much of Germany's industrial base. (Dave Jenkins, IMDb)

Michael Anderson directs. Michael Redgrave plays the developer of the plan and the new bombs, Dr. Barnes N. Wallis. The RAF supplied most of the aircraft for the filming, at a cost of 130 pounds per hour. This expense consumed 10% of the film's budget. (ABPC/Warner Bros.)

· Special Effects 1955: Associated British; Warner Bros. [No names listed with nomination, but film credits George Blackwell and Gilbert Taylor (special effects) and Ronnie Wass (vfx: optical effects, uncredited).]

1 nomination