50th anniversary of Aces High (1976)

50th anniversary celebration of Aces High (1976), the much-loved World War One movie, directed by Jack Gold, starring Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer, Simon Ward, Peter Firth, David Wood, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, Richard Johnson and Ray Milland.

The screen play was written by Howard Barker, based on the 1928 play Journey’s End by R C Sherriff. Aces High turns the trench warfare of Journey’s End into the aerial battles fought in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps above the Western Front. The film covers a week of a squadron where the high death rate puts an enormous strain on the surviving pilots.

The aerial sequences were highly praised. The film was not a box office success, but has since become regarded as something of a classic.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Peter Firth and David Wood.

16mm Film Presentation