There are few occasions in history when it can be said that the actions of a few changed the destiny of not just a country, but of the world. The 1940 Battle of Britain is one of those defining moments. Actor Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, Star Wars) joins his brother Colin in THE REAL BATTLE OF BRITAIN to mark the 70th Anniversary of this historic event. Premiering on Discovery World HD on Saturday, July 2 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, this 90-minute special revisits this famous chapter in Britain’s history and reveals the story of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Britain’s “finest hour.”
Colin is an RAF veteran of 20 years’ service; his brother Ewan is a hero of the big screen and fledgling pilot himself. Together they honour the heroes of 1940 both on the ground and in the air, bringing the story of the Battle of Britain to a new generation. During the special, Ewan is treated to a flying display by the only existing Hurricane in the world that actually flew during the Battle of Britain and is joined by RAF veteran Bob Foster who flew the Hurricane during the Battle 70 years ago. Then, Colin gives his brother the surprise of his life as Ewan gets to fly in a Spitfire over the White Cliffs of Dover. To learn to fly the iconic Spitfire, the men complete three days of training in a Tiger Moth.
As they fly historic planes, meet the veterans and explore the tactics and technology, Colin and Ewan discover the importance of the Battle and the surviving legacy of the 1940s’ campaign for the modern RAF. Together, they honour what is arguably the most important event in modern British history and the only aerial war in world history.
