The initial parts show the supremacy of the German air force which is shown in air combat sequences and also through the arrogant attitudes of German army. The film shows the frustrations of British officers, their helplessness. There was a time when only 200 pilots were left to fly the RAF planes and the new pilots brought in have only 6-7 hours of flying experience. The devastations of German bombing were heart touching. One incident of wrong bomb dropping on London changes the course of events and then the perseverance and valor of RAF pilots turns the table. The perseverance with which the RAF pilots fought the air combat, their ejection from the burning plane or bringing back the damaged plane back to base is shown amazingly. In between superb sense of humor, feeling of patriotism and the sense of national pride and unity are shown. Main pilots as shown are Squadron Leaders Skipper (Robert Shaw), Peter Canfeild (Michael Caine) and Colin Harvey (Christopher Plummer) but the real heroes of the film are Spitfire planes to whom a tribute is given by a German soldier, "We want a Spitfire squadron". The last scene of the film showing no activity in the control room and the pilots ready to take off but waiting on ground is indicative of future victory.