Himmelfahrtskommando

During WW2 the "cockleshell heroes" actually did exist, and actually were ten men. Most of the "results" and "fates" depicted in this film are accurate.

Having watched a documentary on the real story, I personally felt the real story was more interesting, but the actors in this film were obviously interesting. If you're looking for Christopher Lee in the movie, you have to wait until the ten men are transported to their mission, as Lee plays the captain of the sub that takes them there.

Jose Ferrer got the better role in this movie. Trevor Howard plays a very stodgy and stiff and more stereotypical character, but all of the actors are very good here.

One trouble is that we really don't get to distinguish the nine men from each other during the movie, as their names are whipped by in quick takes, with two exceptions. The actors do a very top notch job, though. I would rather that the director give us more than a few seconds in the spurts with most of the characters.

It's a good and entertaining film, and close enough to the History (unless you're a real stickler) to enjoy as History.

Twenty years later this film achieved posthumous fame when David Lodge swelled up with pride and declared he was in 'Cockleshell Heroes' on Spike Milligan's TV show.

Jose Ferrer is perfectly cast as an aloof, cold-blood martinet who drives his men mad, while several of the talent involved from cameraman Ted Moore to Christopher Lee later came up in the world and took part in the James Bond franchise.

Like all Warwick productions it inevitably features Anthony Newley, while it provides the not considerable pleasure of seeing Percy Herbert in a Nazi helmet, and John Fabian hitching a lift from Sam Kydd and in a broad Irish brogue while claiming that the uniform he's wearing is actually that of the Irish Salvation Army.

Excellent account of the ten "canoe commandoes" story, who faced fantastic hazards to complete their mission. But only two survivors returned. Good cast of players, specifically Trevor Howard and Anthony Newley, (pre "Stop the World" fame and before his big film break in "Idle On Parade"). Made by Broccoli who later churned out the impressive James Bond films. This is one for the Sunday afternoon thrill!

¨The Marines were formed 28 October 1664. On 29th April 1802 His Majesty King George III directed that they should ¨The Royal Marines ¨. At a critical stage of the war just Merchant ships operating from Bordeaux were seriously endangering the British Blockade . For political reasons saturation bombing was rejected . The Navy was unable to penetrate the defenses without air cover . The Royal Marines were given the job. Postmouth , England-March-1942¨.

Based on historical events with screenplay by Bryan Forbes and Richard Maibaum from the story by George Kent , including technical advisers as Colonel Hasler and ex-Marine W.E. Sparks . The film starts when a Major of Marines is arrested by the patrol boat for canoeing in a restricted area . He is Major Stringer (Jose Ferrer) under orders to execute a dangerous mission. The captain Thompson (Trevor Howard) has been appointed as the administrative officer . The Major joined in a fit of boyish enthusiasm and the High Command put him in in charge of the unit , while the captain is a WWI veteran ; going to be awfully difficult to get used to taking orders from a young officer. The mission results to be the following : It seems German ships are running in and out of Bordeaux , getting past out blockade and bringing vital raw materials to the German war machine . The job is to get all the way up there , try to blow up those enemy ships in the docks , by means of cockleshell canoes , they'll be traveling at night and hiding in the day . The'll be dropped out somewhere outside the minefield , 75 miles to the target , should be able to make it in three or four nights of paddling . The team , a group of highly-trained volunteers (Peter Arne , Anthony Newley, Percy Herbert , Victor Madden , David Lodge , among others ) for hazardous service .

This is an exciting movie about warlike fits dealing with the blowing up of German warships by an expert squadron of soldiers in cockleshell canoes . The picture contains thrills , action , suspense , and amusement when the training of the soldiers take place . First-class performances from Jose Ferrer as obstinate Major and Trevor Howard as second-in-command captain . Large plethora of secondary cast and new-comers actors as Percy Herbert, Anthony Newley , Peter Arne and Victor Maddern as stiff Sergeant Craig . Furthermore brief appearance of Christopher Lee as submarine commandant. Evocative cinematography in glimmer Colour by John Wilcox and Ted Moore , produced at Shepperton Studios , England , being one of the first English movies to be realized in Technicolor . Good musical score including patriotic tunes by John Addison and conducted by the usual Muir Mathieson with the London Symphony Orchestra. The producers -Irwing Allen and Albert R. Broccoli who subsequently would produce James Bond series- acknowledge the assistance given to them in the making of this film by ¨The Royal Marines¨ and other branches of the ¨Royal Navy¨. The motion picture is well played and directed by Jose Ferrer . Rating . Better than average, worthwhile watching .

I saw the cockleshell heroes many years ago and greatly enjoyed it.I was impressed enough to read the factual account of the unit and mission depicted in the film.The film was good but did not begin to show the reality of the training and the hardships these men went through.The actual mission was pretty much as depicted in the film.The Royal Commandoes that made up the real unit went on to form the nucleus of what is now known as the SBS or special boat section.This is the British version of the Navy Seals,but formed many years earlier.I highly recommend reading the book.You will appreciate the film even more.