Here’s one of the crazy things that happened in 1948.
Shortly after WWII, the German capital of Berlin was divided into four sections, controlled by foreign countries, namely, the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. The city itself was in the east part of the country, which would later become East Germany.
When the three anti-Soviet sectors of Berlin introduced a single currency (the Deutsche Mark), the Russians became Upset and began closing off the city by blocking highways and canals, and dismantling rail lines.
No goods were allowed in or out of the Western sectors, which would, of course, cause starvation and medical emergencies, among other things.
We’re probably giving you a simplified view of the situation, but the Allied countries’ response was dramatic. They decided to airlift supplies into Berlin, thereby leapfrogging the blockade. The airlift began in June, 1948, and lasted until September, 1949. This was the first big Flare-Up of the Cold War.
Sources say the Allies flew more than 250,000 missions during the 15-month period, and delivered nearly four million tons of food, coal, and other necessities.
You may be thinking, This would made a Great Movie. Well, Hollywood thought the same thing, and in 1950, Twentieth Century-Fox released The Big Lift.
Paul Douglas wants to boss Germans around. Image: Theodore Bruce
The Big Lift is an unusual movie. In some ways, it’s a product of its era; yet in other ways, it has timeless themes.
Because the Berlin Airlift was a recent event in moviegoers’ minds, the film assumes you know the Big Picture – the hows and whys of the blockade. However, it also explores the barbarism of war, and ways people cope while under foreign occupation.
The film stars a young Montgomery Clift as a flight engineer, and a middle-aged Paul Douglas as a ground-based traffic controller. These two men represent very different worldviews of the late 1940s.
Clift takes people at Face Value. He’s unscathed by WWII, and he believes in Hope and Optimism. He’s impressed by the resilient Berliners as they rebuild their city and clear away the residue of war. Here he meets a young widow (Cornell Borchers) with whom he falls in love.
Douglas, on the other hand is bitter and cynical. He was a prisoner in POW camp during the war, where he was treated brutally. He hates Germans, and doesn’t think Any Good Thing can come from returning to Germany.
Ironically, it’s Douglas’s character who finds redemption in confronting his past, while Clift returns to the U.S. having learned people aren’t always what they seem.
The Big Lift was shot on location in Berlin, and it feels like an authentic portrayal of a strange place in a strange time. Many of the cast members were actual U.S. military personnel stationed in Germany.
This movie is also about airplanes, and director George Seaton gives us lots of footage from inside and outside the planes. You can’t help but be impressed by the planning it took to stage such an operation.
The film is, intentionally or not, divided into two parts. The first part is essentially a documentary about the logistics of the airlift. If you’re a history buff, you’ll love it, but it is a bit Thin when it comes to narrative.
The momentum doesn’t really Get Going until the second half, and by this time we’re well familiar with how Things Are Run in Berlin – and the U.S. Air Force – so we’re glad to dive into a story.
There are some fascinating slice-of-life scenes. For example, as Clift and Borchers ride the subway into the Russian sector, the train stops at the border. In the frantic few seconds before Russian guards board, passengers empty their bags and squirrel away purchases inside their coats and pockets. This is because the guards search everyone’s bags and take whatever interests them.
Even though The Big Lift is a bit lopsided in terms of storytelling, it’s well worth a watch. Sadly, it is has become part of the public domain, so it may be tricky to find a decent version.
Still, we encourage you to find it, to see how a remarkable rescue operation was used to beat Russian forces at their Own Game.
The Big Lift: starring Montgomery Clift, Paul Douglas, Cornell Borchers. Written & directed by George Seaton. Twentieth Century-Fox, 1950, B&W, 120 mins.
As a old Marine aviator and an amateur history nerd, I have always been fascinated by the Berlin Airlift. The logistics of it alone were mind-boggling. But it also caused the evolution of the modern cargo aircraft. In 1948, cargo aircraft were more or less modified airliners. But the Berlin Airlift showed the need for aircraft specially designed for heavy-lift duty. You can see this from the aircraft you will see in this movie versus the Lockheed C-130 which entered service in the 1950s and was designed based on the lessons learned in Berlin.
I’m completely unfamiliar with this film so I enjoyed reading about it. I typically like Paul Douglas, especially in Executive Suite and The Solid Gold Cadillac, so I’ll look for The Big Lift.
There’s a moment in German history shortly before this when Hermann Goering promised that the Luftwaffe could airlift supplies to troops in Stalingrad if the ground supplies were cut off. They not only failed, they barely even tried to do so. Of course, conditions were different (for one thing, the USSR had a free pass to shoot down Luftwaffe planes; they weren’t taking that chance with American planes), but for some Germans this was an example of how American Democracy succeeded where Nazism had failed.
Fascinating review! This sounds interesting–the Airlift is definitely untapped material for movies. Thanks again for joining the blogathon. It was a pleasure as always. 🙂
I have recently become more interested in the Berlin Air Lift, so I was thrilled to learn there is a good film about it. Oh for the days when we were sure we were the good guys. Thanks for a great post.
I’ve only ever seen 20 minutes of Atomic Blonde – somewhere in the middle of the film – and thought the wardrobe was a-maz-ing. I should probably re-watch, and pay attention to the plot this time.
Funny, but this is the only Monty movie I haven’t seen yet. I’ve been curious ever since I read that this is the movie he chose to make after turning down Sunset Boulevard (1950). Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
I just finished watching The Big Lift and found it was a fascinating film of a unique operation. I thought George Seaton highlighted the struggles of the civilians well and the bases for their behaviours and beliefs. Very insightful and thought provoking. I’ve always liked George Seaton as a director.
So glad you were able to see The Big Lift & thrilled you enjoyed it. I agree – I also thought it was a well-rounded look at military personnel and civilian life. It ought to be more well-known, hey?
Silver Screenings 
As a old Marine aviator and an amateur history nerd, I have always been fascinated by the Berlin Airlift. The logistics of it alone were mind-boggling. But it also caused the evolution of the modern cargo aircraft. In 1948, cargo aircraft were more or less modified airliners. But the Berlin Airlift showed the need for aircraft specially designed for heavy-lift duty. You can see this from the aircraft you will see in this movie versus the Lockheed C-130 which entered service in the 1950s and was designed based on the lessons learned in Berlin.
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Thanks for that info, J-Dub. That’s an important development, aviation wise. How long were you involved in Marine aviation?
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1990-1995.
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Were you based overseas?
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Oh yeah. It was hard at that time to be in Marine air and not go overseas at some point.. My first duty station was MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
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This does sound like one for everyone, planes for your dad and romance for your mum, and a great review for everyone!
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So true! It does have something for everyone, and a very good message about moving on from war and bitterness.
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I’m completely unfamiliar with this film so I enjoyed reading about it. I typically like Paul Douglas, especially in Executive Suite and The Solid Gold Cadillac, so I’ll look for The Big Lift.
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It’s a truly interesting film, especially if you’re a history buff. Douglas has a tricky role, but he really pulls it off.
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There’s a moment in German history shortly before this when Hermann Goering promised that the Luftwaffe could airlift supplies to troops in Stalingrad if the ground supplies were cut off. They not only failed, they barely even tried to do so. Of course, conditions were different (for one thing, the USSR had a free pass to shoot down Luftwaffe planes; they weren’t taking that chance with American planes), but for some Germans this was an example of how American Democracy succeeded where Nazism had failed.
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Well said, and an excellent point.
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Fascinating review! This sounds interesting–the Airlift is definitely untapped material for movies. Thanks again for joining the blogathon. It was a pleasure as always. 🙂
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Thanks! It’s a terrific film, if you don’t mind the documentary style of the first half.
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I have recently become more interested in the Berlin Air Lift, so I was thrilled to learn there is a good film about it. Oh for the days when we were sure we were the good guys. Thanks for a great post.
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Oh yeah, you’ve gotta see this one if you’re learning more about the Berlin Airlift. A fascinating operation, to be sure.
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I’ve always found the whole division of Berlin fascinating, although I have to admit my favourite film about it is Atomic Blonde😁
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I’ve only ever seen 20 minutes of Atomic Blonde – somewhere in the middle of the film – and thought the wardrobe was a-maz-ing. I should probably re-watch, and pay attention to the plot this time.
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Funny, but this is the only Monty movie I haven’t seen yet. I’ve been curious ever since I read that this is the movie he chose to make after turning down Sunset Boulevard (1950). Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
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This movie has a lot going for it, if you’re not put off by the documentary-ish first half.
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I just finished watching The Big Lift and found it was a fascinating film of a unique operation. I thought George Seaton highlighted the struggles of the civilians well and the bases for their behaviours and beliefs. Very insightful and thought provoking. I’ve always liked George Seaton as a director.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you were able to see The Big Lift & thrilled you enjoyed it. I agree – I also thought it was a well-rounded look at military personnel and civilian life. It ought to be more well-known, hey?
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