The Dam Busters (1955)

Basil Sydney: Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris (now Marshal of the Royal Air Force) G.C.B., O.B.E., A.F.C.

Photos 

Quotes 

• Bomber Harris : Cochrane...!

  [gestures for him to wait] 

  Bomber Harris : Don't go for a minute. What do you think of Wallis' idea for bursting the Ruhr Dams?

  Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane : It sounds a bit far-fetched. But, personally, I think it could be done.

  Bomber Harris : I hope you're right. Anyway, I've given it my support, and I've had orders to get ready. I want you to take it on.

  Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane : Right, sir. I'd like to. It'll mean taking a squadron out of the line for special training.

  Bomber Harris : No. We must form a special squadron for this. And man it with experienced crews who have just finished their present thirty trips. Some of those keen youngsters won't mind doing an extra one.

  Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane : Do you have anyone in mind to command the squadron?

  Bomber Harris : Yes. Gibson.

• Bomber Harris : [Harris arrives in the Operations Room to follow the progress of the attack. Officers in the room come to attention and salute]  Carry on.

  [to Cochrane] 

  Bomber Harris : Well, Cocky, how's it going?

  Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane : All right so far, sir. The first wave's about twenty miles from the Dutch coast. Enemy radar has probably picked them up by now

• Bomber Harris : [Wallis and Summers have come into his office]  Hello, Mutt. Wallis.

  Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S. : Good morning.

  Bomber Harris : What is it you want?

  Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S. : I've got an idea for destroying the Ruhr Dams. The effects on Germany would be enormous.

  Bomber Harris : I know all that. I've read the report.

  [thumps file folder on his desk] 

  Bomber Harris : But, do you *really* think you can knock down a dam with *that* thing?

  Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S. : Yes.

  Bomber Harris : Well, it looks clever enough on paper. But that goes for *all* of these wheezy ideas. When you try to make them work, they fall down *flat*.

  Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S. : This one doesn't.

  Bomber Harris : How do you know?

  Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S. : We've tested it and proved it. I've got some films here I'd like you to see.

  Bomber Harris : [mildly surprised]  Why... If you've proved the thing, why hasn't it been taken up?

  Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S. : I don't know. But the films only take five minutes to run. You could see them and judge for yourself.

  Bomber Harris : Well... All right.

  [gets up from desk and heads toward projection room] 

  Bomber Harris : Send the projectionist out of the room. If this thing's as good as you say, there's no point in letting everyone know.

  [indicates his aide, Air Vice-Marshall Saundby] 

  Bomber Harris : Saundby can run the film.