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Product Description
School for Secrets tells the inside story of the 'Boffins' - Britain's backroom boys - who developed the miracle discovery of radar and helped stave off the German invasion of Britain in 1940. Five different scientists, led by Professor Heatherville (Ralph Richardson), are brought together and work in total secrecy and under incredible pressure in a race against time to develop this vital weapon.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: School for Secrets tells the inside story of the 'Boffins' - Britain's backroom boys - who developed the miracle discovery of radar and helped stave off the German invasion of Britain in 1940. Five different scientists, led by Professor Heatherville (Ralph Richardson), are brought together and work in total secrecy and under incredible pressure in a race against time to develop this vital weapon. Their dedication disrupts their family lives as they are forced to sacrifice everything to make the great breakthrough. Their success is illustrated by the effect Radar has on the fighting abilities of the RAF over the skies of Britain in those crucial summer and autumn months of 1940. However, Germany is also planning its own Radar capability and British commandos must be despatched to strike at a vital Nazi installation Written, produced and directed by Peter Ustinov and boasting a distinguished supporting cast including Richard Attenborough, David Tomlinson and John Laurie, this film celebrates one of Britain's greatest wartime achievements. ...School for Secrets ( Secret Flight )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In The Royal Festival Hall, Sir Peter Ustinov, then in his 80s, had compered a concert in his inimitable manner. There, I had reminded him of this film, "SCHOOL for SECRETS" which he directed when Britain was emerging from the war. It was now 60yrs later, but he immediately reeled off the names of all the actors! The film was Ustinov's transition from MOI (Ministry of Information) film-making to that delicious, comfortable style of British cinema which was about to enter its best times.
In a gentle drama, so reminiscent of Ustinov's style, "SCHOOL fOR SECRETS" portrayed the story of the development of RADAR. You may imagine the production as being in similar vein and time setting to that of the film "ENIGMA" which portrayed fiction based on fact but with a 60 year time backshift. It is a classic marker which ought to be revived and you should see this film which also illustrates film-making under the conditions of post-war austerity when low-budget production was the norm.
IT SHOULD ALSO BE REMADE. I propose this because, due to the operation of the Oficial Secrets Act and the 30 yrs (+)release rule, Ustinov's production was not allowed to research the development of the technology, nor the associated apochrypha and anecdotes. Without RADAR, we shoud not have won the war. It is also the basis of the amazing electronic age in which we live. Today, two generations are almost ignorant of both the historical and the scientific bases of our freedom. They need to be educated and this story about the technology and those who developed it, to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude, needs to be retold.
Sir Richard Attenborough who played a role in the film may be pleased to advise on the remake. Meanwhile, enjoy the original version!
Ian M Barrett.
In a gentle drama, so reminiscent of Ustinov's style, "SCHOOL fOR SECRETS" portrayed the story of the development of RADAR. You may imagine the production as being in similar vein and time setting to that of the film "ENIGMA" which portrayed fiction based on fact but with a 60 year time backshift. It is a classic marker which ought to be revived and you should see this film which also illustrates film-making under the conditions of post-war austerity when low-budget production was the norm.
IT SHOULD ALSO BE REMADE. I propose this because, due to the operation of the Oficial Secrets Act and the 30 yrs (+)release rule, Ustinov's production was not allowed to research the development of the technology, nor the associated apochrypha and anecdotes. Without RADAR, we shoud not have won the war. It is also the basis of the amazing electronic age in which we live. Today, two generations are almost ignorant of both the historical and the scientific bases of our freedom. They need to be educated and this story about the technology and those who developed it, to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude, needs to be retold.
Sir Richard Attenborough who played a role in the film may be pleased to advise on the remake. Meanwhile, enjoy the original version!
Ian M Barrett.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Nostalgic visit to time of WW2 with unfolding story describing fumbling technical progress in the war with 3rd Reich.
Spellbinding dramatic interludes describing intellectual insights, and physical courage - all in the hush-hush (don't look at me) spirit of the time.
This dramatization is based on factual accounts of this work, and the people involved.
Spellbinding dramatic interludes describing intellectual insights, and physical courage - all in the hush-hush (don't look at me) spirit of the time.
This dramatization is based on factual accounts of this work, and the people involved.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Hollywood doesn't hold exclusive rights to outstanding war movies and School For Secrets is all the proof you need. The actors are superb and the style familiar. The story, loosely based on facts holds your attention throughout the entire film. Character development is dealt with swiftly and with finesse. You find yourself identifying with the characters almost immediately and without even realizing it.
The style of film; part propoganda, part flag waving, part documentary and part melodrama, is a tough nut to crack but School For Secrets handles the task deftly, and in the best traditions of English propriety. A full 5 stars from your ally across the pond.
The style of film; part propoganda, part flag waving, part documentary and part melodrama, is a tough nut to crack but School For Secrets handles the task deftly, and in the best traditions of English propriety. A full 5 stars from your ally across the pond.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Nostalgia has its uses.
I remember seeing this film on first release as it cascaded through the suburban cinemas around Manchester in - possibly - 1947 or 1948. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Peter Street
The Boffins and the basically sound chaps
For many years, this film lay in the archives of the British Film Institute. Recently it was restored and transferred to DVD and it is available from Amazon UK for a few pounds. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Malcolm Baird
School for boffins
This 1946 film tells the tale of the backroom boys who developed radar. Five scientists are brought together to work in total secrecy, and under great duress to develop the idea... Read more
Published on 8 May 2009 by Maureen Hooper
Synopsis, Random Reviews, Trivia & Cast Details
School for Secrets tells the inside story of the `Boffins' - Britain's backroom boys - who developed the miracle discovery of radar and helped stave off the German invasion of... Read more
Published on 25 July 2008 by G. Collins
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