The Walter Mirisch Company brings to the big screen this WW2 adventure that is enjoyable though presented on a much smaller scale than some of Walter’s other 1960’s productions including The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. The principle difference is more than obvious. It’s the budget. This film stars the thoroughly capable Cliff Robertson but he alone carries the film whereas the two previously mentioned films had all star casts and a strong director in John Sturges. On that thought, you’ll be quick to notice character actor Angus Lennie brought over from The Great Escape if you’re a fan of that one. So, with only Cliff on board and George Chakiris in support, this turns into a minor effort though not without action and thrills of it’s own for the B circuit. Looks as if The Mirisch company released this on a double bill with the far more popular film as well.
It’s Norway in 1944 during Nazi occupation. Chakiris is a member of the underground resistance who will be sent off to an allied airforce base where he’ll meet the top pilot and stern task master Robertson under company commander, Harry Andrews. Always a welcome presence in any moving picture, Andrews seemed best suited to authoritative roles thanks to both his commanding presence and voice. Chakiris’ knowledge of a German factory developing rocket fuel is much needed so he’s to partake in a suicidal air raid mission assigned to Robertson and his group of flyers. Following the formula of such B fare, a good majority of the film’s 95 minute running time will see the boys go thru special bomber training and partake in much drink at the off base pubs.
Did I mention there’s a blond who catches the eye of the old war horse Robertson? It’s Austrian beauty Maria Perschy who is not only receptive to Robertson’s advances but she’s also the sister of Ohio’s own Chakiris which ties the bonds between all three even tighter as the war rages on all about them.
Raise your hand if you think the set date for the air raid is going to be moved up. Anyone? Yes I saw that cliche coming and wasn’t surprised when Andrews makes the announcement. “Your orders are to obliterate the target at whatever the cost.” This decision is fueled by the capture of someone who knows of the raid and adds a touch of sadness to this war time tale in the decision that must be made to preserve the mission and fight the good fight.
Couldn’t help but think of a Leonard Nimoy line from Star Trek II having watched it just the night before this. ‘The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” It fits the decision future Oscar winner Robertson has to make here.
The footage captured in the skies of the fighter planes both in training and on the actual mission is a mishmash of both real and stale F/X of the model variety. All in all it comes off ok though the mark they intend to destroy is easily dismissed as a mock up stage bound model. I half expected Godzilla to rear his gigantic frame into camera range when the model planes made their run. Mixed into the film are plenty of ground skirmishes bringing war time action to the proceedings for the paying crowd.
Cliff Robertson had a knack for war time movies and seemed well cast in this, the Naked and The Dead, Midway and Too Late the Hero among others during his lengthy career. The spotlight on Chakiris had pretty much peaked in 1961 with West Side Story though that film served him well for the next few years landing supporting roles opposite the likes of Cliff, Heston and Brynner in the sixties before fading into TV by the end of the decade.
633 Squadron is a passable entry and readily available on DVD from MGM should you be looking to catch up to the war time exploits of actor Cliff Robertson before he became known to a generation of children as Uncle Ben in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films.
Mike's Take On the Movies 
Also of note are a few of the FX shots were inspiration for parts of the Death Star trench run in Star Wars. I think Lucas even borrowed some dialog from the film as well.
Didn’t know that but now that you mention it, I can see that comparison being made.
A staple of UK afternoon TV when I was growing up. But you didn’t mention the music! The theme was very popular in Britain for many years, still occasionally heard in the sets of brass bands to this day. Although they mostly prefer to do pop songs now… I like the idea of Godzilla fighting for the Nazis though…there’s a movie in that!
Funny, I did write down the composer and noticed pics of the soundtrack on line, almost included a line or two about the stirring theme. Guess I should have. 🙂
633 was definitely an A picture. I assume the double bill with The Great Escape was at a later date. That is actually a British poster if you look carefully, and the films were probably equally popular in the UK at the time. I’m not sure I agree that the action is on a smaller scale than The Magnificent Seven. Bear in mind that aeroplane stuff is some of the most expensive and complicated to film and 633 Squadron has a lot of action in it. Also remember that the “all star cast” of The Magnificent Seven were mostly unknowns at the time. Coburn was an unknown, Bucholz was unknown (at least in the US), Brad Dexter was unknown, Bronson was not a star, and even Steve McQueen was not a star, he was just the guy who was in The Blob! So the cast of that film only really looks heavyweight in retrospect.
Appreciate the thoughts though I can’t agree wholeheartedly. But hat’s ok. I can see your position on the Magnificent Seven as far as cast members go but I do believe it was still a much bigger production and The Great Escape is more than obvious. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy 633, I enjoy most any movie and am a fan of Robertson and Andrews so wanted to feature it. Drop by anytime. Cheers’
This sounds like the perfect feet up, roast dinner on lap, afternoon film I need to be watching right now.
Yup, that’s just about the perfect setting.
And I did just that this afternoon. What fun. Nice touch too adding an Indian and Australian pilots.
So cool the Star Wars inspired Death Star run as well.
Face palm though, it never dawned on me that Ben Parker was Cliff Robertson. DOH!
That’s funny. Cliff has been around for years. Oscar winner back in 68. I was going to do a whole series of Cliff Robertson goes to war in film but after my long run of Stanley Baker titles decided against it though I really need to revisit The Naked and the Dead. great wear flick.
Yeah you smashed it with the Stanley Baker selection but sure Cliff can get his showcase one day. I have the Naked and the Dead cued up to go soon because I wanted to see more Aldo Ray. So i’m even more looking forward to it now.