War > 1958 War

Advantages: Accurate, quality actors
Disadvantages: Black and White then its an old film

A truly excellent film which depicted the role of a relatively unknown actor, M E Clifton-James in impersonating Field Marshal Montgomery during the Second World War. The usual cast of British wartime actors appear including John Mills, Sid James and Leslie Phillips. Dont be deceived, although humurous in places, it is a serious film and accurate bearing in mind that the actor in the film was the actual actor who impersonated Monty! The tells the ...
...playing Monty on stage, the subsequent forming of the idea in the 'Boffins' heads and the process to for Clifton James to observe Monty at close quarters without attracting suspicion. A wonderful film of a truly amazing wartime ploy by the allies. The perfect film for those wet Sunday afternoons and child friendly too. My kids love it. ... Read review

Advantages: Simply a great film
Disadvantages: Cant really think of any

Another outstanding piece of British Cinema. John Mills plays a Captain charged with getting his ambulance through enemy held desert to Alexandria. He is joined by his Sergeant Major and a couple of female nurses. During the trip they pick up a 'South African' Officer (Anthony Quayle) left behind by his unit during the retreat. The story outlines the trials and hurdles the hardy group face in getting their ambulance back to Alexandria all the while ...
...Matters are complicated by John Mills alcohol problem and Anthony Quayle's seemingly endless supply of Gin. Some of the highlights of the film include the dramatic attempt at 'cranking' the ambulance up a steep slope (makes you sweat just watching it) and the subsequent release of the crank handle by the nurse (not even going to mention women drivers). You can almost see their hearts break as the ambulance hurtles down the slope. Anthony Quayle's ... Read review

Advantages: An excellent selection of vintage war films, perfect for an avid fan of war films, such as myself. Also ideal for anyone who wants to get a taste of this genre.
Disadvantages: May have been better to replace 'The Cruel Sea' with a more classic film such 'The Great Escape' or 'The Guns of Navorone'.

This collection is an excellent selection of vintage war films. Perfect for anyone who enjoys this genre. The Dambuster and The Colditz story are of particular interest to me as they are true stories. Which are portrayed very well in the respective films. The good thing about this being the 'British' war film collection is that there is the absence of the 'american touch'. By this I mean the story hasn't been adapted from the truth in order to satisfy ...
...your a watching as you know what is being showed actually happened. The Cruel Sea is a collaboration of many different seamens experinces during WW2, and shows an excellent portrayal of what these brave men had to endure. However I am a sucker for true stories, so although this story is not unrealistic, i would have preffered a true story such as maybe The Great Escape or The Bridge on The River Kwai. Ice Cold in Alex is of course a classic war film ... Read review

Advantages: Fabulously Entertaining, You HAVE To See What Happens Next! Classic
Disadvantages: None that I can say

...have you reaching for an ice cold lager - it'll also have you with trembling lip and wishing they made more films like this. Grit, determination and strong character shine through. This is a film totally devoid of gratuitous sex and violence - I think the strongest piece of language you'll hear is something like an innocuous "damn" or maybe a "bloody"....it certainly gets no stronger than that! I haven't described much of the action of this film....that's ... Read review

Advantages: all-star cast
Disadvantages: no special effects

...prisoner of war experience captures the true events that took place in Germany's Stalag Luft III, prisoner-of-war camp; This cinema achievement provided an entertainingly satirical view of the courage embraced by the British POWs, whom devised a brilliant plan while under German supervision, and resulted in the first of many successful escapes within Germany during WWII. Steve McQueen/ James Garner/ Richard Attenborough/ Charles Bronson/ James Coburn/ ... Read review