The Lion Has Wings 1939

The Lion Has Wings unfolds in a sequence of interlinked chapters that thread the life of Wing Commander Richardson [/actor/ralph-richardson], his wife, Mrs. Richardson [/actor/merle-oberon], and their family as Britain steels itself for war. The narrative mosaic centers on a senior RAF officer and the home front that surrounds him, presenting a portrait of duty, sacrifice, and quiet endurance.

The film opens with a newsreel–style voiceover by the commentator, E. V. H. Emmett [/actor/e-v-h-emmett], setting up a stark contrast between life in peaceful Britain and the growing militarism of Nazi Germany. This opening uses a blend of newly shot footage and restored newsreel clips, weaving in moments from history and cinema alike. It even incorporates a scene from Queen Elizabeth I delivering her famous Tilbury speech to the troops, juxtaposed with snippets from Triumph des Willens to underscore the spectacle and menace of totalitarian power.

In the second chapter, the story moves to an early bombing raid on German warships in the Kiel Canal. The sequence is largely realized on a sound stage with impressive effects, yet it is seasoned with occasional shots of the real bombers and their crews returning from the mission, lending a tangible sense of danger and persistence to the air war being fought from afar.

The third chapter follows Luftwaffe bombers as they strike, and the RAF’s response unfolds with the help of the Observer Corps and barrage balloons. This portion highlights how air defense relies on teamwork, vigilance, and the infrastructure of civil support that keeps aircraft and crews ready to respond under pressure.

The epilogue settles beside a river, where Mr. and Mrs. Richardson take a rare moment of rest from their duties. Mrs. Richardson delivers a stirring reflection about the long tradition of British women offering their sons and lovers to defend the land, sea, and now the air. The sentiment is noble and defiant, a call to perseverance even as exhaustion threads through Wing Commander Richardson, who dozes off partway through her heartfelt speech.