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.

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

Dunkirk is one of the best war movies I have ever seen. It was nice to see Sir John Mills in one of his best if not-THE best roles he ever was in. The makers of this fine film did a most excellent job in portraying as accurately as possible; the terrible events that made up Dunkirk.

The cast was excellent and I am of the opinion that Leonard Maltin (a film critic) really does not know what he is talking about--especially when it comes to this fantastic classic movie. The cast was also superb.

This movie centers around the events that made up Dunkirk and was very accurately portrayed. It was because of this film that one learns that Mr. Lightholler (of Titanic fame) risked his own neck and boat in order to make that trip across the English Channel and to help out in the evacuation of British and French Soldiers; off Dunkirk Beach.

Somebody PLEASE release this film on DVD. I have not had the pleasure of seeing this film in many years and would sure love to see it again.

See it – A surprisingly great war film, this movie tells two different stories. One is about a group of British soldiers trapped behind enemy lines, desperately trying to make their way to the French coast. Meanwhile, on the other side of the channel, English civilians bravely prepare to help with the mass evacuation at Dunkirk. Near the end, the two stories converge "Tarantino style." There aren't many household names in this one. Richard Attenborough headlines a cast of British actors that have recognizable faces but are relatively unknown to Americans. There is quite a bit of combat in the middle stage of the film as the British soldiers dart from hedge to farmhouse to avoid capture by the Jerries. The pace of the movie slows toward the end, but this is a historically accurate and memorable retelling of real heroes who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. 3 out of 5 action rating.

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