AllMovie

Inspired by H.G. Wells' novel War in the Air, this remarkably prescient Eclipse one-reeler speculates on the possibility of an airship attack upon London. Combining miniatures, double exposures, and full-scale models, the film shows an unidentified but very German-esque air force strafing innocent civilians and bombing treasured London landmarks. In retaliation, the British resort to tank warfare (again, something that was actual several years in the future), but the landbound weaponry is useless in the face of air attack. Finally, a foresighted scientist sends up his own airship to destroy the invading zeppelins. Battle in the Clouds remained in circulation well into the WWI years, and was afforded extensive television exposure via the early-'50s documentary series Movie Museum.