Dunkirk

This presents a concise account of the Dunkirk operation. It avoids the "stuff upper lip" mentality that was present in a great deal of British War films of this time (with some exceptions). The film presents two separate stories around the Dunkirk operation: the lost soldiers (led by the NCO John Mills) and the cynical civilian reporter (Bernard Lee). They finally meet up on the beach at Dunkirk. A very well directed Ealing Film.

This film is worth seeing as a good account of the Dunkirk evacuation. John Mills gives a fine performance. I agree with a previous comment that more time could have been devoted to the actual evacuation. However the time devoted to the group of UK soldiers moving through France helps to show conditions for the French people. Someone asked about where the Lock was. The Lock on the Thames where the small boatyard scenes were filmed is Teddington Lock. the suspension footbridge is still there as is the weir. Toughs Boatyard which is referred to in the film was on the River Thames at Teddington opposite the lock, it is now I believe demolished and been replaced by riverside apartments. Other scenes were filmed by the River Thames at Twickenham, along the embankment by Twickenham's Eel Pie Island. This still looks pretty much the same if you go there now.(Except for all the parked cars!

John

Dunkirk is one of the best war movies ever made.

John Mills puts in a great performance as Tubby Binns, as does Bernard Lee as private boat owner "doing his bit" for the country. I thought some of the best scenes were around the battle with the artillery battery in the woods. Some good special effects and totally believable scenes. The futility of war is also shown to good effect when the Stukas arrive and bomb the battery.

One thing that really amazed me, was the inclusion of a "real" German halftrack during the scene where the bridge was being demolished. For a '50's war movie this is a special treat, much better than seeing the usual American halftracks with big crosses on their sides.

All in all, one of my favourite war movies, one that somehow captures the ambiance of those terrible times.

The story of the famous evacuation of British forces from the beaches of Dunkirk in May/June 1940. Seen through the eyes of a squad of infantrymen, and their leader, Corporal Binns, in particular, as well as civilians who helped evacuate the soldiers. Also covers the high-level decisions as well as the individual sacrifices that were made.

History will record the Battle of Dunkirk as a British/Allied defeat, as the Germans ultimately captured the pocket and inflicted over 60,000 casualties on the Allies. However, over 300,000 Allied troops escaped, living to fight another day. This, and the method to evacuate them - the large scale use of civilian craft of all shapes and sizes, bolstered British morale and ultimately kept Britain in the war.

The inspirational nature of the event is captured well in this movie, as are the actions during and leading up to it. Quite gritty in showing the bravery involved, sacrifices made and against-the- odds nature of the event.

Good performances by the main actors - John Mills as Corporal Binns and Richard Attenborough as John Holden. Supporting cast are a mixed bag, varying from solid to serious over-acting.

Overall, a great depiction of a momentous event.

I've just watched the Christopher Nolan 2017 'Dunkirk' and that offering is mediocre at best, you feel very little for the characters, nor are you told much back story.

Mr Nolan's version is not a patch on this 1958 classic where you really get a feel for the scale and depth of the military disaster and miracle evacuation

Many war films made shortly after the war, have a gritty depth & realism.

Many of the actors had been participants, they could march, salute, handle the weapons and wear a beret correctly. Because many had done it for real.

Also a lot of original aircraft/ships/vehicles were still available to use. So in many respects the old war films have an authenticity difficult to match today. (As illustrated by the 2017 mediocre film 'Dunkirk')

This follows corporal 'cor blimey' john Mills as he and his small section are separated from their unit. Their attempts to try and rejoin their unit through the chaos of the retreat to Dunkirk.

It also follows the civilians helping in the 'little ships' and the operation to save the British/French armies stranded at Dunkirk.

It is an epic tale and over the years I have watched it several times. A Sunday afternoon classic epic tale of heroism in a total disaster that nearly meant annihilation. Without the evacuation by 'the little ships' it surely would have meant Hitler conquering all of Europe

8/10