One of Our Aircraft Is Missing

One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) is a British war film, the fourth collaboration between the British writer-producer-director team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Else Meertens Do you think that we Hollanders, who threw the sea out of our country, will let the Germans have it? Better the sea. Jo de Vries [speaking to the downed aircrew as RAF bombers approach] You see, that's what you're doing for us. Can you hear them running for shelter? Can you understand what that means to all the occupied countries? To enslaved people, having it drummed into their ears that the Germans are masters of the Earth. Seeing these masters running for shelter. Seeing them crouching under tables. And hearing that steady hum night after night. That noise which is oil for the burning fire in our hearts. Dialogue Jo de Vries: I give you a toast. Louis? [Her servant fills all of their glasses] Jo de Vries: It has been our motto since the House of Orange drove out the Spaniards 300 years ago. "Je Maintiendrai." [All drink] Jo de Vries: It's nice to be a woman again, even for half an hour. Geoff Hickman, Front Gunner in B for Bertie: What do they reckon that motto of yours means, then, ma'am? Jo de Vries: "We can take it." Tom Earnshaw, Copilot in B for Bertie: Now look here, what are we going to do about our clothes? Frank Shelley - Observer: Yes, we've got to get into civvies somehow. John Glyn Haggard - Pilot in B for Bertie: Well, what's George doing? Sir George Corbett, Rear Gunner in B for Bertie: [Taking off his clothes] I'm swimming. John Glyn Haggard - Pilot in B for Bertie: Where? Sir George Corbett, Rear Gunner in B for Bertie: In a canal. John Glyn Haggard - Pilot in B for Bertie: Well, how do you know there is one? Sir George Corbett, Rear Gunner in B for Bertie: There's always a canal in Holland. The next best thing to having civilian clothes is to have none. I'm going to be a swimming instructionist and spy off the land. Jo de Vries: ''[to Frank];; No Englishman would kiss a woman's hand - except perhaps an actor. Frank Shelley - Observer: Snub or compliment? Jo de Vries: Compliment. Cast Hugh Burden as John Glyn Haggard, pilot of B for Bertie Eric Portman as Tom Earnshaw, second pilot Hugh Williams as Frank Shelley, observer/navigator Emrys Jones as Bob Ashley, wireless operator Bernard Miles as Geoff Hickman, front gunner Godfrey Tearle as Sir George Corbett, rear gunner Googie Withers as Jo de Vries External links IMDb TCM AllMovie One of Our Aircraft is Missing reviews and articles at the Powell & Pressburger Pages One of Our Aircraft is Missing. Full synopsis and film stills (and clips viewable from UK libraries). Review at Cinepassion.org Category:1942 British films Category:World War II films Category:Films directed by Michael Powell