The Thousand Plane Raid
“This was the day the Allies turned the blitz on Hitler”
Synopsis
In 1943, Colonel Greg Brandon, stationed at an United States Army Air Forces 8th Air Force, 103rd Bomb Group base in England, repeatedly attempts to persuade superiors that massive daylight bombing will hasten the end of World War II. In spite of the mission's extreme difficulty, his plan is finally put into effect against a German aircraft factory. During preparation for the raid, Brandon alienates his men by insisting that normal bombing operations continue. His disdain for cautious Lieutenant Archer and brash RAF Wing Commander Trafton Howard further antagonizes his associates, including his girl friend, WAC Lieutenant Gabrielle Ames. When his bomber crashes the morning of the mission, Brandon boards a bomber manned by Archer and Howard. During the effective air raid, he is impressed by Archer's courage and Howard's judgment.
Top Cast
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Christopher George
Col. Greg Brandon
Laraine Stephens
Gabrielle
J.D. Cannon
Gen. Palmer
Gary Marshall
Wing Cmdr. Taffy Howard
Michael Evans
Group Commander
Gavin MacLeod
Sgt. Kruger
Ben Murphy
Lt. Archer
Bo Hopkins
Capt. Douglass
Tim McIntire
Lt. Quimby
Barry Atwater
Gen. Conway
Henry Jaglom
Worchek
Ivor Barry
RAF Officer (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 15, 1969
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Boris Sagal
- Screenplay & Story
- Donald S. Sanford
- Original Title
- The Thousand Plane Raid
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 33m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Boris Sagal
Donald S. Sanford, Ralph Barker
Department Leadership Roster
Boris Sagal
Director
Donald S. Sanford
Screenplay
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Thousand Plane Raid.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Thousand Plane Raid.
War: World War II
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Movies categorized under War
MGM+ US - War Movies
Curated list of Most Popular on MGM+ (US). Updated frequently. Last updated August 28, 2026.
WWII
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Thousand Plane Raid
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Thousand Plane Raid about?
In 1943, Colonel Greg Brandon, stationed at an United States Army Air Forces 8th Air Force, 103rd Bomb Group base in England, repeatedly attempts to persuade superiors that massive daylight bombing will hasten the end of World War II. In spite of the mission's extreme difficulty, his plan is finally put into effect against a German aircraft factory. During preparation for the raid, Brandon alienates his men by insisting that normal bombing operations continue. His disdain for cautious Lieutenant Archer and brash RAF Wing Commander Trafton Howard further antagonizes his associates, including his girl friend, WAC Lieutenant Gabrielle Ames. When his bomber crashes the morning of the mission, Brandon boards a bomber manned by Archer and Howard. During the effective air raid, he is impressed by Archer's courage and Howard's judgment.
Who directed The Thousand Plane Raid?
The Thousand Plane Raid was directed by Boris Sagal.
Who stars in The Thousand Plane Raid?
The principal cast of The Thousand Plane Raid includes Christopher George, Laraine Stephens, J.D. Cannon, Gary Marshall, Michael Evans.
When was The Thousand Plane Raid released and how long is it?
The Thousand Plane Raid was released in 1969 with a total runtime of 1h 33m.
Is The Thousand Plane Raid based on a book or true story?
The Thousand Plane Raid is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Ralph Barker".