The Sound Barrier
1952 · Movie · Approved · 117 min · ★ 6.5 · 75% critics
Set in the high-pressure world of postwar aviation, this drama follows the risky push to create a plane that can break the sound barrier. As engineers and test pilots chase a historic breakthrough, ambition, family strain, and the danger of every flight begin to collide.
Also known as Breaking the Sound Barrier
Where to watch
Streaming on XiveTV Documentaries.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1952
- Release date
- 1952-07-22
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Approved
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Critic score
- 75/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.5/10 (59 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you like classic British dramas mixed with high-risk aviation suspense and a strong sense of postwar ambition; Not for you if you want fast pacing, strict realism, or very little melodrama.
Pros: tense flight sequences; striking aircraft footage; strong period atmosphere | Cons: slow ground drama; talky stretches; shaky technical accuracy
Themes
- black and white
- sound barrier
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1953
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1953 · nominated
Cast & crew
Ralph Richardson
as John Ridgefield
Ann Todd
as Susan Garthwaite
Nigel Patrick
as Tony Garthwaite
John Justin
as Philip Peel
Dinah Sheridan
as Jess Peel
Joseph Tomelty
as Will
Denholm Elliott
as Christopher Ridgefield
Jack Allen
as 'Windy'
Ralph Michael
as Fletcher
Leslie Phillips
as Controller
Directed by David Lean