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Mission 633

Original title: 633 Squadron
  • 1964
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
4.9K
YOUR RATING
George Chakiris, Maria Perschy, and Cliff Robertson in Mission 633 (1964)
During World War II, Norwegian underground leader Erik Bergman informs the British of the location of a German V2 fuel manufacturing plant. Situated beneath an overhanging cliff at the end of an easily defended fjord, the factory can be destroyed only by collapsing the cliff on top of it, using light Mosquito aircraft. Wing Comdr. Roy Grant's 633 squadron is assigned the task, and Bergman plans a ground attack to coincide with the air strike, but he is captured and tortured by the Gestapo. Gestapo headquarters is destroyed by the 633 squadron, and Bergman is killed, but not before he reveals the plans for the attack. Underground resistance is destroyed, and Mosquito pilots, unaware that the ground attack will not take place, fly to the factory, and the entire squadron is wiped out. However, the last bomb dropped makes the mission a success. Only Grant and his navigator survive.
Play trailer3:15
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaHistoryWar

A RAF squadron is assigned to knock out a German rocket fuel factory in Norway. The factory supplies fuel for the Nazi effort to launch rockets on England during D-Day.A RAF squadron is assigned to knock out a German rocket fuel factory in Norway. The factory supplies fuel for the Nazi effort to launch rockets on England during D-Day.A RAF squadron is assigned to knock out a German rocket fuel factory in Norway. The factory supplies fuel for the Nazi effort to launch rockets on England during D-Day.

  • Director
    • Walter Grauman
  • Writers
    • James Clavell
    • Howard Koch
    • Frederick E. Smith
  • Stars
    • Cliff Robertson
    • George Chakiris
    • Maria Perschy
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    4.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Walter Grauman
    • Writers
      • James Clavell
      • Howard Koch
      • Frederick E. Smith
    • Stars
      • Cliff Robertson
      • George Chakiris
      • Maria Perschy
    • 92User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:15
    Trailer

    Photos102

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    Top cast44

    Edit
    Cliff Robertson
    Cliff Robertson
    • Wing Cmdr. Roy Grant
    George Chakiris
    George Chakiris
    • Lt. Erik Bergman
    Maria Perschy
    Maria Perschy
    • Hilde Bergman
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • Air Vice Marshal Davis
    Donald Houston
    Donald Houston
    • Group Capt. Don Barrett
    Michael Goodliffe
    Michael Goodliffe
    • Squadron Leader Frank Adams
    John Meillon
    John Meillon
    • Flight Lt. Gillibrand
    John Bonney
    • Flight Lt. Scott
    Angus Lennie
    Angus Lennie
    • Flying Officer 'Hoppy' Hopkinson
    Scot Finch
    • Flying Officer Bissell
    John Church
    • Flying Officer Evans
    Barbara Archer
    Barbara Archer
    • Rosie - Barmaid at Black Swan Inn
    Sean Kelly
    Sean Kelly
    • Lt. Nigel
    Julian Sherrier
    Julian Sherrier
    • Flight Lt. Singh
    Geoffrey Frederick
    • Flight Lt. Frank
    Suzan Farmer
    Suzan Farmer
    • WAAF Sgt. Mary Blake…
    Johnny Briggs
    Johnny Briggs
    • Flight Lt. Jones
    Joe Beckett
    • German Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Walter Grauman
    • Writers
      • James Clavell
      • Howard Koch
      • Frederick E. Smith
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews92

    6.44.8K
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    Featured reviews

    7planktonrules

    Wow...a very similar film was done only five years after this one.

    The timing for me watching this is fortuitous, as just this morning I finished watching "Mosquito Squadron" (1969)--a very, very similar movie. Both films featured the de Havilland Mosquito (an amazingly fast and capable British fighter-bomber) and both were concerned with an Allied attempt to knock out a German rocket factory. This factory was set in Norway, the other film had it set in France. So which is the better film? Read on if you'd like my opinion.

    Cliff Robertson plays the American leader of a squadron of British planes. While this is odd, it might have occurred, as there were American pilots who joined the Brits after WWII broke out and before the US went to war. He is told that his squadron will have a new assignment. They are to fly into Norway and bomb an overhand in the rocks in a fjord in order to seal in a German rocket factory. This naturally will require precision low-level bombing--at which their Mosquitoes were best suited. To practice for the raid, they go to Scotland to fly among the cliffs. It's not Norway--nor is Norway, actually, as they used this same locale as a stand-in for Norway later in the film when the actual raid takes place.

    My biggest complaint about this film was the casting of George Chikiris. No, it's not because I have anything against him personally (I am sure he's a swell guy) but he was cast as a Norwegian!! He sounds about as Norwegian as Bill Cosby! And, while there are of course dark-haired Norwegians, why not hire an actor who at least looks Norwegian?! I don't blame Chikiris--after all, he was probably happy to have a job. But I am sure this must have nagged him as well, as the role just wasn't suited for him--he deserved better.

    While it's a bit obvious some of the planes are models on strings and the German fighter planes are simple transport/observation planes (Me-108s) and the film technically is not nearly as good as "The Battle of Britain", it's still a decent film. It has a rousing score, decent battle scenes and ends strongly. Overall, I'd give this one a 7 and say it is just a bit better than "Mosquito Squadron"--mostly because although Robertson mostly plays a grumpus, at least he has a personality--a problem with the other film, where the leading man was pretty flat, as he was given little in the way of personality.
    7rocket-15

    Not the best special effects but a definite winner!

    I remember 1964 quite well and "633 Squadron" was one of those highlights. I first saw "633" during its initial release. I was 8 years old at the time and infatuated with just about any plane that flew especially WWII aircraft. My dad, being in the Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC) at the time, knew that "633 Squadron" was for me.

    Yes, I have read some comments on this movie about the use of less than realistic props (airplane models) but let's not forget this was shot back in the early 60's. I think it was done well for the special effects technology available at the time.

    Just the sight of the actual Mosquito flying scenes (don't forget there weren't very many restored Mosquitos around to fly) did it for me not to mention the opening scene flying through the clouds as the opening score played on. It really gets my blood pumping to this day!

    No, I haven't said a lot about the plot or the characters because the movie went beyond that for an 8 year old boy "flying" with the Squadron. Now at 42 I have re-lived those great memories by seeing this movie a second and third time. I recommend this movie for just about everyone.

    Sometimes we must look thru the leaves to see the tree.
    6hylinski

    Flawed classic with a brilliant score

    I saw this when it first came out I was eight years old, and lived close to a WWII airfield south of London, so I was captivated by a film which gave me a wealth of fantasy to enjoy while I walked the then deserted runways of Kenley.

    I have just watched the DVD. I still enjoyed the movie despite its many shortcomings. Probably the score has a lot to do with this. Ron Goodwin is a most under-rated composer. Only a master could base music on machine gun fire and end up with something so thoroughly uplifting.

    Though this film does not bear excessive scrutiny, I have to applaud the hard-nosed portrayal of the fliers. It is my understanding that grieving is often a luxury in war, and one combatants did not allow themselves.

    The parallel with Star Wars is valid. but the finale is something Lucas could not have contemplated without risking his box office takings!! You'll have to see it to figure out why. Oh and turn the volume up for the music.
    Corfman

    Watch this one for the Mosquito's

    This film which begins with its blood pumping Ron Goodwin's musical score and the cloud opening sequences fire's it's beginning, then lets one down with it's almost 'World War II pulp comic book' screenplay.

    However...watch this film for its remarkable footage of one very remarkable aircraft, the film's real stars.......the exciting, beautiful, fast, deHavilland Mosquito's. The dialogue is sometimes painful to recall, the story could have been better written, but the flying sequences recalls many real Mosquito W.W. II exploits as a pinpoint high speed strike aircraft, such as the real historical attack at rooftop height in France on the Gestapo headquarters freeing the many French Resistance prisoners standing out foremost. Why could the story not revolve around this real historical exploit, among many others?

    Cliff Robertson's real life flying experience bleeds through somewhat, but we are wishing more. The romantic subplot?...fast forward the video through this. Also the kinky Gestapo woman interrogating Chakiris! Enjoy the Goodwin score, as the Mosquitos practice for there mission in the Scottish highlands, and the sound of those Merlin engines. Love those planes! '633 Squadron' is a keeper, but for aircraft buffs only really.

    Corfman
    6KEVMC

    Rather cliched, but with definite high points.

    In the spring of 1944 an RAF Mosquito Squadron are ordered to attack a German rocket fuel plant in Norway. The mission involves flying up a heavily defended fjord and bombing a cliff overhang in an attempt to bury the factory, which is built into the rock.

    I bought this on DVD in a '3 for £20' offer, as I had fond memories of it from childhood, and it had been around 20 years since I last remember seeing it. I have to say that it's not nearly as good as I remembered it to be. The plot is full of cliches and there's the inevitable love interest for the lead. That said, there are points to recommend it. Cliff Robertson gives another reliable performance as the Wing Commander in charge of the squadron, and there are equally dependable turns from Harry Andrews and Donald Houston. The numerous flying sequences with the Mosquito Bombers are expertly filmed, and it's a real bonus to finally see the film in its correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The special effects aren't bad for 1964, and Ron Goodwin's famous score underpins the whole venture.

    The main problem that I have with the film is that it borrows heavily from 'The Dam Busters' in terms of plot, without ever scaling the heights (no pun intended) of that classic. It may have lush Panavision photography, better effects etc., but lacks the nail biting tension and expertly constructed drama of its predecessor. However, it's perfectly acceptable entertainment, if somewhat abrupt at the end.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Most of the attack on the Fjord at the end of the film was done with 1/48-scale Mosquito models.
    • Goofs
      Hilde Bergman's hair and clothes are 1964 style; the rest of the women in the cast also flaunt 1964 hair styles; the men's hair is also already in the longer early 1960's style, totally unmilitary and nothing like the 1940s styles.
    • Quotes

      SS Torturer: I'm afraid we will have to persuade you. Take off his clothes.

      [begins to rip Bergman's shirt]

    • Connections
      Edited into Opération V2 (1969)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 11, 1964 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • 633 Squadron
    • Filming locations
      • Bovingdon Airfield, Chesham Road, Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Mirisch Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $1,300,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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