Michael Caine

Squadron Leader Canfield

Trevor Howard

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park

Harry Andrews

Senior Civil Servant

Curd Jürgens

Baron von Richter

Ian McShane

Sgt. Pilot Andy

Laurence Olivier

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding

Christopher Plummer

Squadron Leader Colin Harvey

Kenneth More

Group Capt. Baker

Nigel Patrick

Group Capt. Hope

Michael Redgrave

Air Vice Marshal Evill

Ralph Richardson

Sir David Kelly - British Minister to Switzerland

Robert Shaw

Squadron Leader Skipper

Patrick Wymark

Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory

Susannah York

Section Officer Maggie Harvey

Michael Bates

Warrant Officer Warwick

Robert Flemyng

Wing Cmdr. Willoughby

Edward Fox

Pilot Officer Archie

Barry Foster

Sqd. Leader Edwards

James Cosmo

Jamie

Jack Gwillim

Senior Air Staff Officer

Karl-Otto Alberty

General Jeschonnek - Luftwaffe Chief of Staff

Paul Neuhaus

Maj. Föhn

Malte Petzel

Col. Beppo Schmidt (Luftwaffe Intelligence)

Alexander Allerson

Maj. Brandt

Jean Wladon

Jean Jacques

Kate Binchy

Grace

Sarah Lawson

Skipper's Wife

Isla Blair

Mrs. Andy

André Maranne

French NCO

Nikki Van der Zyl

Dubbing (voice)

John Comer

Policeman (uncredited)

Harry Fielder

Soldier (uncredited)

Richard Morant

Replacement Pilot - Red Section 'Red 2' (uncredited)

Christopher Morris

Boy (uncredited)

John Savident

RAF Officer (uncredited)

Nick Tate

RAF Pilot (uncredited)

David McKail

Lac Arnold (uncredited)

George Roubicek

Sergeant Pilot - Falke's Crew (uncredited)

Paul Angelis

Albert (uncredited)