For whatever reason, this film had slipped pass me and I was viewing this movie for the first time. And I have to say that I was very entertained by most of the scenes, especially the ones involving Steve McQueen and his not-so-normal view about war. It was a pleasant surprised as I got caught up in the story and followed the players right to the end of the film. In fact, the relationships with the flying crew were so well done, that I was somewhat disappointed when they threw in a female love interest taking the story into an even more irrational mind-set of our main player, Buzz Rickson.A written summary of this movie will not do the film justice. A person really has to view the production in order to see the development of characters and the quirky plot that is laid out with its slight references to the line between sane and insanity. Steve McQueen gives an excellent performance as the viewer is caught up in the action of the B-17 crew leader that has a fondness for this horrible situation called war. One cannot wait until the next air- raid to see how character is going to react to the crisis and also to each other.At times, the movie did get a bit slow but overall an entertaining watch. A movie that most people will not be disappoint in viewing.

THE WAR LOVER is a UK-USA WW2 movie about a squad of bomber pilots operating from Cambridgeshire in the UK and carrying out daring raids on mainland Europe. It's a rather slight picture, shot in black and white for reasons unknown (although I suspect that they're budgetary in nature) and of note for featuring Steve McQueen in the leading role.McQueen dominates the scenery with his portrayal of a brash and cocky pilot with something of a death wish, repeatedly putting his crew into danger for the sake of glory. The rest of the film is a mish-mash of romantic interludes, rivalry and friendship, and some brief bombing raids that are handled reasonably well. Supporting cast members include Shirley Anne Field and Michael Crawford, long before he was famous. War film fans will enjoy this, but the familiarity of the set-up works against it.

Not a run of the mill war movie by any standard. Surprisingly moody and downbeat with a great script and a superb performance by Steve McQueen. Let down by one poor exterior stunt scene, the rest of the film excels. Like one other correspondent, caught the film Sunday afternoon whilst channel hopping and was hooked. Not heard of the film till today but now on my favourites list. Wooden performance from Shirley Anne Field parried well by a handsome and on - form Robert Wagner and supporting cast help the action and non-action scenes flow. Not read the book so can't compare but that's normally a pointless exercise anyway. Michael Crawford (Some Mothers do Ave em)carries off the American accent well. Spent most of the film trying to spot future film, TV and theatre stars

This is easily one of Steve McQueen's worst pictures and it's a pretty lousy World War II picture. McQueen almost turned down The Great Ecape because of this and his picture picture Hell Is For Heroes were both World War II films and both flops. Hell Is For Heroes was a much better film directed by Don Siegel and McQueen's character are basically the same in those two. It's easy to see why this film did so bad and but not so with Hell Is For Heroes. There isn't much plot here except that McQueen is a rebel and always has to disobey orders and Robert Wagner plays his co-pilot and friend who wants to play by the rules. There is a girl played by Shirley Anne Field who Wagner likes but it's a pretty bad movie and you shouldn't watch it.