633 Squadron: The Making of a WWII Aviation Epic
Creating a convincing aerial war movie requires a delicate balance of authentic machinery, daring cinematography, and strategic production. The making of 633 Squadron stands as a testament to this balance, blending real-world aviation history with the cinematic ambitions of the 1960s. From its complex development phase to the challenging terrains of the Scottish Highlands, the film pushed the boundaries of how air combat was captured on screen.
Development and Production Origins
The journey of 633 Squadron began when film rights were acquired by producer Walter Mirisch. The project was initially envisioned by director John Sturges, who began developing a script with Rod Serling—the creator of The Twilight Zone—as early as 1958. While Jack Lord was originally considered for the lead, the project was temporarily shelved when Sturges left to direct The Magnificent Seven.
The screenplay underwent several iterations. Initial drafts were written by James Clavell, the writer behind The Great Escape. However, to address reservations expressed by lead actor Cliff Robertson shortly before filming, Mirisch hired London-based writer Howard Koch to perform final rewrites.
To optimize financial incentives, Mirisch chose to film in Britain to qualify for the Eady Plan (a UK government initiative to support the British film industry). While Cecil Ford received the official producer credit to satisfy the requirements of the British film levy, Lewis Rachmil oversaw the actual production. The direction was handled by Walter Grauman, a former North American B-25 Mitchell bomber pilot whose aviation background proved invaluable.
Filming the Aerial Spectacle
Filming took place between July and August 1963. In a bold move for the era, 633 Squadron was the first film shot in color using the Panavision widescreen format. This technical choice meant that archival footage—a common cost-saving measure in war films—could not be used, forcing the production to rely on authentic period aircraft for most sequences.
The production utilized several key locations across the UK:
- RAF Bovingdon: Served as the fictional RAF Sutton Craddock bomber airfield. Due to poor weather, the scheduled two weeks of filming here extended to four.
- The Scottish Highlands: Attack sequences were filmed over Loch Morar and Loch Nevis, with additional footage captured on Skye and at Oban.
- The Cairngorms: The Lairig Ghru pass was used for Norwegian resistance scenes and training flights, while the Ailnack gorge at Tomintoul provided further backdrop.
- Other Locations: The riverbank romance scenes were filmed at Hurley Lock on the River Thames, and additional shots were taken at Staverton Airport in Gloucestershire.
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The "Mirisch Air Force": Aircraft and Authenticity
Director Walter Grauman's passion for aircraft led to the creation of what was dubbed the "Mirisch Air Force" (M.A.F.). The production focused heavily on the De Havilland Mosquito, a versatile WWII aircraft. Since the RAF had retired the type by 1963, the production sourced ten authentic aircraft, vehicles, and equipment from various RAF airfields, including Exeter, Henlow, and Shawbury.
Eight Mosquitos were used in total. Five were airworthy, while others served as set dressing or were used for taxiing. To make the target-towing TT Mk 35 variants look like fighter-bombers (FB Mk VI), the crew painted over the clear nosecones and side windows and added dummy machine gun barrels. One Mosquito (RS718) was intentionally destroyed during a simulated crash sequence.
| Aircraft Registration | Role/Status in Film | Current Location/Fate |
|---|---|---|
| RS709 | Flown | National Museum of the US Air Force, Ohio |
| RS712 | Flown | EAA AirVenture Museum, Wisconsin |
| TA639 | Flown | RAF Museum Cosford, Shropshire |
| TA719 | Flown | Imperial War Museum, Duxford |
| TW117 | Flown | Norwegian Aviation Museum, Bodø |
| RS718 | Crash Sequence | Written off |
| TV959 | Ground/Set Dressing | Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, Washington |
Because no authentic German aircraft of the required type were available, the production used Nord Pingouin aircraft (French-built variants of the Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun) to represent the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Additionally, a North American B-25 Mitchell served as both the primary camera ship and a plot element, flown by Greg Board and Walter Grauman.
Special Effects and Actor Experiences
While real aircraft provided the foundation, the final attack sequences required the expertise of Oscar-winning technician Tom Howard. He employed a combination of miniatures, matte paintings, and front and rear projection to create the high-intensity combat scenes that would have been too dangerous to film with real planes.
Lead actor Cliff Robertson praised the positive atmosphere on set but expressed dissatisfaction with the film's ambiguous ending. He also noted the constraints of a tight budget and schedule, and lamented that insurance restrictions prevented him from actually piloting a Mosquito during production.
Key Facts
- First of its kind: The first color film shot in Panavision widescreen format.
- Aircraft Fleet: Featured eight De Havilland Mosquitos, some modified to look like FB Mk VI variants.
- Realism: Used authentic period aircraft instead of models for most aerial sequences to avoid using archival film.
- Locations: Filmed across the UK, including RAF Bovingdon and the Scottish Highlands (Glen Coe, Loch Morar).
- Director's Pedigree: Walter Grauman was a former B-25 Mitchell pilot, adding technical authenticity to the production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why couldn't the production use archival footage?
Because 633 Squadron was filmed in color and in Panavision widescreen, archival black-and-white or standard-format footage would have been visually inconsistent and unfeasible to integrate.
How did the production acquire the Mosquito aircraft?
The production sourced aircraft from civilian operators who had leased former RAF target-towing Mosquitos (TT Mk 35) and searched various RAF airfields such as Exeter and Henlow for authentic planes and equipment.
What aircraft were used to represent the German Bf 109s?
Since authentic Bf 109s were unavailable, the production used Nord Pingouin aircraft, which were French license-built versions of the Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun.
Where were the attack sequences filmed?
Most of the attack sequences were filmed in the Scottish Highlands, specifically above Loch Morar and Loch Nevis.
Did the lead actor fly the planes?
No, Cliff Robertson was forbidden from piloting a Mosquito due to insurance restrictions.