MISSION OF HONOR/ HURRICANE

UK/Poland, 2018, 107 minutes, Colour.

Iwan Rheon, Milo Gibson, Stefanie Martini, Krystof Hadek, Marcin Dorocinski, Manuel Klein.

Directed by David Blair.

A World War II film, almost 80 years after the events. Number of commentators referred to a “belated tribute”.

This is a story of Polish pilots, the disaster with the invasion of Poland, then moving to England. However, there is the difficulty of the RAF accepting them, language and cultural differences. But, given the attack of Nazi Germany on England, especially with the, Blitz, the pilots are welcomed, trained, going out on bombing missions over Europe as well as defending the German attack.

The film opens strikingly with an allegedly Swiss watch-seller in occupied France dealing with the Germans and then stealing one of their planes and flying to the UK. He is, in fact, a Polish pilot and leader.

On the story level, the narrative is more or less as expected, the characters of the Poles, difficulties with some of the British officers, sympathetic leads making good decisions, some romantic interludes, glimpses of the War room and the staff with the vast table indicating locations of planes and flights.

The main distinctive feature is the insertion of so much air warfare, the small planes, open, moments of combat, some disasters, crashes in the sea, injuries…

The film ends with 1946 and the issue of England sending the Polish pilots back to Poland to be present during the communist regime or for them to be allowed to stay in England.

1. The role of Polish pilots during World War II? Their careers in Poland, refugee status in England, incorporation into the RAF, the missions, successful, their statistics of success?
2. The opening, France 1940, Jan, allegedly Swiss and selling watches, which to the Germans, the discussions, interrogated, credibility? His stealing the plane and flying away?
3. The transition to the UK, the RAF, aerodromes, bases? The British in command, offices, training, the poles, language issues, discipline issues, the significance of their traumatic experiences in the war, the range of flashbacks throughout the film, family, wives, girlfriends, imprisonment, executions? Affecting the men and their motivations?
4. The focus on Jan, his relationship with the various men, supporting them, with the authorities, the various officials and discussions, plans, training, the status of the men, involvement in the war? The encounters with Phyllis, the bonding, the war stresses on her, their discussions, the developing relationship?
5. The presentation of the British officials, Hugh Dowding, decisions, discussions, the various appointees in charge of the Poles? The women and their friendship with the Poles, relationships?
6. The War room, the role of the women, the information, the flights and attacks, the status of the various pilots?
7. The camaraderie amongst the Poles, the return of the commander, the young man and his feelings, setting up the alter with the candles? Discussions, attitudes towards the British? The impact of the party, the tribute to them, the music, the dancing, the champagne, the food? The men keeping apart? Jan, drinking, his upset, having to leave, the confrontation with Hugh Dowding, the criticism of the extravagance of the party, the contrast with ordinary people? Jan and his bailing out, the parachute, caught, freed by the old couple, their hospitality, his taking the food from the party, going to the house, finding it bombed?
8. The years passing, the various action sequences, interspersed throughout the film, action in the air, dangers, the pilots, the Germans, anti-German attitudes, explosions, parachuting, the man drowning in the sea?
9. 1946, the experience of the war, the issue of the Poles returning to Poland, public opinion, the Communist regime and their being oppressed? Jan, with Phyllis, the discussions, the outside celebrations? His future?
10. The film considered a belated cinema tribute to the Polish pilots?