> I've been collecting all the movie and television programs which either were inspirations for or referenced SW movies and watched 633 recently.
Maybe we should compare notes; I've been doing much of the same. Mail me at heilemann@gmail.com if you're interested, I can show you some of what I'm working on.
> Rereading my notes, there are terms which were reused: wing commander, blue leader, Hobbie.
Ah yes, those I had overlooked. In Dambusters, even though they use other lines, they just use 'leader' to address. Good point.
> A few lines "hold on this might be a little rough", "critically important operation, that's all gentleman, except good luck". (MTFBWY-like)
I have that in my briefing intercut actually; it's not in Dambusters and it is quite reminiscient of the ending of the briefing in ANH.
> Similar scene sequence, briefing before battle for instance.
Also in Dambusters.
> But for the most part this is probably one of the films GL cut-up to create his Death Star mock-up. For instance at 57:20 there's a shot of a gun whose turrets pumps in and out, cockpit shots 14:25, formation breaks off and attacks 21:45. So shot framing and battle sequencing are probably some of the things learned from this film.
Well it's not so much that I want to disregard it entirely; Kurtz mentioned it after all. But I feel that its signifigance is wastly overrated, and has been tired inexorably to the film whereever you look. I dare you to find a single mention of 633 Squadron that doesn't always mention Star Wars; and personally I don't find the connection to be quite *that* strong.