R.A.F. (film)
| Industry | Film production |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
R.A.F. is a 1935 British documentary produced by the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation that showcases the activities of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The film details various aspects such as the initial and advanced flying instruction for both officers and enlisted personnel, parachute training, and RAF operational roles involving bomber aircraft, torpedo bombers, flying boats, interceptor fighters, along with missions conducted overseas.
Commissioned by the Air Ministry, its debut took place at London's Polytechnic Theatre on 17 June 1935, with attendance by Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, who was serving as Secretary of State for Air at the time.
John Betts directed and scripted the film, which required 18 months of shooting in multiple locations across the United Kingdom and abroad. The narration was delivered by Squadron Leader William Helmore. Although the aerial cinematography received commendation, the documentary is commonly viewed as pure propaganda or a direct recruitment initiative.
The musical accompaniment was provided by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, incorporating Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries during an airborne sequence—this usage predates its iconic inclusion in Apocalypse Now by more than forty years.