All

Reach for the Sky

£495.00

Film

Reach for the Sky

Additional information

Year

1956

Size/Type

UK Quad / (30″ x 40″) / Single Sided / Printed in England by Charles & Read Ltd. London & Harlow

Country of Origin

British / UK

Condition

Fine plus -Very Fine minus ; originally folded (as issued)

Director

Lewis Gilbert

Actor/Actress

Alexander Knox, Dorothy Alison, Jack Watling, Kenneth more, Lee Patterson, Lyndon Brook, Muriel Pavlow, Nigel Green

SOLD - this item is sold. Please browse our currently available stock

“Legs or no legs, I’ve never seen such a mobile fireball.”

A fine portrait by Italian Angelo Cesselon of Kenneth More as the World War II fighter ace, Douglas Bader. The film tells Bader’s story, from his days as a daredevil amateur pilot (he crashed & lost both legs) to his time in the RAF, becoming a scourge of the Luftwaffe before being shot down over occupied France. Bader’s incorrigible spirit resulted in numerous escape attempts & as a consequence he was transferred to Colditz. The beautiful illustration here on this original 1956 first release country of origin “Reach for the Sky” UK quad is by the renowned Italian artist, Angelo Cesselon and is considered one of the best of the British war genre…truly inspirational. Folded (as issued) this original unrestored British film poster is presented in very good order with no major condition issues and only minor handling and age wear… A hugely popular British ‘war’ title with superb deep unfaded colours. An impressive piece and a very rare find, that represents a highly collectable and desirable example of original British film memorabilia.

Read More +

Trivia: Highest grossing British film of 1956 and the most successful film in the UK since Gone with the Wind in 1939.

 …more detail

Vintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +

Film Description

Reach for the Sky Movie Poster

“The true story of airman Douglas Bader who overcame the loss of both legs in a 1931 flying accident to become a successful fighter pilot and wing leader during World War II.”

After losing both his legs in a flying accident, Douglas Bader not only mastered the use of his artificial legs, he also astounded everybody by flying for the RAF again-leading the assault in the Battle Of Britain in the process.

Reach For The Sky opens up with a disclaimer of sorts, the usual yadda yadda about certain events in Bader’s life being altered in the name of entertainment. To which it should be mentioned that for a honest look at the man and his life, those interested should either read the biography that this is adapted from (written by Paul Brickhill), or source from many other available means. That said, Lewis Gilbert‘s film is in essence a true story. Yes it is true that some of Bader’s known character traits are not fully formed, and yes the makers here were very clever in casting the hugely popular Kenneth More as Bader to ensure the film stayed away from Bader’s negativity. But it stands up as an uplifting heroic film regardless of its supposed glorification of combat.

Kenneth More gives it the whole kitchen sink, so much so that pretty much everyone else in the picture barely gets a look in. But to do down More for that would be grossly unfair, asked to carry the narrative entirely, he not only achieves that, but he also makes Bader an inspiration for many, and that has to be a good thing. It caught me personally at the right time, a time when I was feeling rather sorry for myself, so with that in mind the film definitely achieved its aims. Thematically strong and technically sound, Reach For The Sky is a highly recommended watch.

 

 

Vintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria

Mint
A poster that has never been used or displayed and may show the most minor signs of age and wear. The poster should have no holes or tears.

Near Mint
A generally unused poster with fresh, saturated colors. May have minimal tears at folds. Has no significant holes, no paper loss, may have minor tears along edges, may have fine pin holes.

Very Fine
A poster with bright colour and crisp overall appearance. It may have very general signs of use including slight fold separation and fold wear. It may have pin holes or very minor tears. This is the highest grade allowed for a poster that has been restored either on linen or on paper.

Fine
A poster with good colors and overall clean appearance. It may have minor tears small paper loss and minor stains. It may have some fold seperation.

Good
An average poster with overall fresh color. May have tears, minor paper loss, minor hazing. Paper may be brittle due to age, may have minor stains. May have a small amount of writing in an unobtrusive place. May have medium or major restoration.

Fair
A poster with faded colors and brittle paper, showing significant signs of use. May have tears and paper loss. May have tape, writing, stains in image area. In need of restoration or had major restoration.

Poor
A poster that is worn, torn, and/or damaged. May have staining, cracking, dry rot, and/or large tears. May be heavily soiled, may have pieces missing. In need of major restoration.

All photographs and images used on our site are photographs of the actual poster/item you are buying, we do not use stock photographs.

Most Popular Poster Types

US Posters

LOBBY CARD
11 x 14″ printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.

WINDOW CARD
14 x 22″ printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970’s.

HALF SHEET
22 x 28″ printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.

INSERT
14 x 36″ printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.

STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60″ printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.

ONE-SHEET
27 x 41″ printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass “marquee” case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980’s most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27″ by 40″ and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.

THREE-SHEET
41 x 81″ printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970’s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as “international” versions to be used abroad.

BRITISH Posters

BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40″ Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.

BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40″, printed on paper. Very rarely used size.

ITALIAN Posters

ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28″ six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.

ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26″ Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.

2-FOGLIO (DUE)
(DUE): 39 x 55″ This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.

4-FOGLIO
(QUATTRO) 55 x 79″ Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.

FRENCH Posters

FRENCH
47 x 63″ (GRANDE) or 24 x 33″ (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian’s some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.