The War Collection: Volume 1

Trio of classic war films. 'The Colditz Story' (1954) is a docu-drama starring John Mills, Eric Portman and Lionel Jeffries, and re-tells the experiences of Allied prisoners-of-war who were held in Colditz Castle.

These POWs were strictly monitored as they were a high risk category and had constantly tried to escape whichever prison they where previously placed in.

Despite being outnumbered by their guards, the prisoners of Colditz continued to achieve their goal - freedom.

The film inspired the 1972 TV series 'Colditz'. In 'The Cruel Sea' (1953), World War Two Lt Commander Ericson (Jack Hawkins) has already lost one ship to an enemy attack when he is given command of the frigate Saltash Castle.

A subsequent confrontation in the North Atlantic tests Ericson's leadership to the limit once again, as he risks sacrificing the lives of his crew for the greater good. 'The Dam Busters' (1954) is the true story of Dr Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave), whose invention of the 'Bouncing Bomb' is greeted with scepticism in the Second World War.

However, RAF Wing Commander Guy Gibson proves the bomb's worth in a daring mission to destroy the German Ruhr Dams.

The film also stars Richard Todd and Ursula Jeans.