Cockleshell Heroes
1954
Inspired by a true story, the film follows a group of ten 'canoe-commandos' who are taken, by sub-marine, close to the French coast. They must make a highly dangerous journey through 70 miles of enemy waters to destroy giant German battleships. Read more
| Starring | Trevor Howard, Jose Ferrer, Dora Bryan, Anthony Newley |
|---|---|
| Director | Jose Ferrer |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Drama |
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Cockleshell Heroes
Inspired by a true story, the film follows a group of ten 'canoe-commandos' who are taken, by sub-marine, close to the French coast. They must make a highly dangerous journey through 70 miles of enemy waters to destroy giant German battleships.
| Starring | Trevor Howard, Jose Ferrer, Dora Bryan, Anthony Newley, Victor Maddern |
|---|---|
| Director | Jose Ferrer |
| Studio | UCA |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 33 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: 27 Dec 2004 Production year: 1954 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Crisply directed in England by America's José Ferrer, this tremendously exciting war film is impressive in its use of CinemaScope and muted Technicolor, although the all-important night sequences at sea may not register too well on television. There's also a fine cast, including Trevor Howard, Ferrer himself, and the likes of Anthony Newley and Dora Bryan, and this was a big hit at the time; so much so that it was reissued as the top half of a double bill with the multi-Oscar-winning From Here to Eternity, which necessitated the optical adjustment of the latter into a widescreen format so that it wouldn't look too shabby alongside this film!
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Absolutely predictable semi-documentary war heroics, with barrack-room humour turning eventually into tragedy. The familiar elements, including a display of stiff upper lips, ensured box-office success.
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Most helpful member's review
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6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Wonderful Movie
What a treat,I've been waiting years for this movie to come out and what a
wonderful job Columbia have done on it.
The picture quality is astonishing, full
16:9 frame the only things missing are extras of which many would be available.
The story is based on fact WW11 marines
and mini subs. FANTASTIC MOVIE, I'm off
to buy it today. -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Cockleshell Heroes
Very disappointing indeed. I have wanted to see this film for over 30 years but have somehow missed it on TV. I didn’t miss much. Not a patch on other classic war films such as The Wooden Horse, The Dambusters, Reach For The Sky or The Cruel Sea. The Major was quite miscast and lacked conviction. Trevor Howard was the only actor who had any, perhaps he should have been in the lead role? The Director portrayed many of the individuals as slapstick comedians, and several scenes as farce, a travesty to the real heroes. Many of the individuals no doubt were eccentrics but they would have been hardened individuals, generally quieter and steelier too. Commando training was no push-over. Far too little realism all round. And many factual errors. For instance, the ordinary seaman in the pub scene had a goatee beard: he would have had a full set or nothing. How my father, a wartime Naval Officer would have cringed! High time for a proper remake, this time based on the facts?
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Inspired by a true story, the film follows a group of ten 'canoe-commandos' who are taken, by sub-marine, close to the French coast. They must make a highly dangerous journey through 70 miles of ... -