The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
My List
Your request could not be processed.
This film is already in your list
New release
Coming 
None

Death by Moonlight: Bomber Command

1991 1 h 44 min
Leaving soon

This feature-length documentary focuses on the Canadian pilots who served in the air force bomber command in Britain during World War II. From the outset, it was clear to Britain that air combat would be the key factor in the battle against Hitler's Germany. Told they would be targeting factories and military targets, the airmen were actually ordered to drop their payloads on civilians in an attempt to annihilate the enemy. Using interviews, re-enactments, old footage and photographs, Brian McKenna's film depicts the war from the perspective of the pilots.

We're sorry, this content is not available in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
This work contains scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
Death by Moonlight: Bomber Command
  • The Valour and the Horror
    The Valour and the Horror
    1991 3 films
    This three-part series critically examines some aspects of Canada's contribution during the Second World War. Many of the events described are not familiar to most Canadians, and all share the theme of the bravery of Canadian soldiers and the tragedies of war.

Suggestions

Details

This feature-length documentary focuses on the Canadian pilots who served in the air force bomber command in Britain during World War II. From the outset, it was clear to Britain that air combat would be the key factor in the battle against Hitler's Germany. Told they would be targeting factories and military targets, the airmen were actually ordered to drop their payloads on civilians in an attempt to annihilate the enemy. Using interviews, re-enactments, old footage and photographs, Brian McKenna's film depicts the war from the perspective of the pilots.
This work contains scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
History - Canada - 1920-1945 Foreign Countries War, Conflict and Peace All subjects
  • director
    Brian McKenna
  • producer
    Arnie Gelbart
    André Lamy
    Adam Symansky
    Darce Fardy
  • associate producer
    D'Arcy O'Connor
  • script
    Terence McKenna
    Brian McKenna
  • cinematography
    Neville Ottey
    Andrew Binnington
  • sound
    Ian Challis
    Robert Jones
  • editing
    Susan Shanks
  • line production
    Mary Armstrong
  • sound editing
    Bill Graziadei
    Bernard Bordeleau
  • re-recording
    Adrian Croll
  • narrator
    Terence McKenna
  • cast
    Graham Campbell
    Gilbert Turp
    Nicholas Shields
    Janne Mortil
    Hamish McEwan
    Andrew Gillies
    Mark Burgess
    Patric Creeman
    Duncan Ollerenshaw
    Joel Wyner

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Roku Apple TV Fire TV Android TV Apple App Store Google Play Store

Education

Ages 6 to 17
School subjects
History - World History History - World War II
Discuss the perilous position of the tail gunner on board a fighter plane. Comment on the wartime practice of dropping bombs on German civilians; was this practice ethical and justified? What is the value of re-enacting and/or retelling the stories of soldiers from World War II? Vietnam? Iraq?

Death by Moonlight: Bomber Command
Purchase options
Also available
DVD

Explore