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Two Men Went To War
2002
Based on an amazing true story, TWO MEN WENT TO WAR tells the tale of WWII Army dentists Sergeant Peter King (Kenneth Cranham) and Private Leslie Cuthbertson (Leo Bill), two enlisted men who desperately wanted to fight behind enemy lines. Their desire leads them to gather up two guns and a bag of grenades and set out for France,.. Read more
| Starring | Kenneth Cranham, Derek Jacobi, James Fleet, Phyllida Law |
|---|---|
| Director | John Henderson |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Had it been made 50 years ago, with Roger “Colonel Blimp” Livesey as the Great War veteran and the Ian Carmichael of Private's Progress as his young charge, setting off together for occupied France with a knapsack of grenades, hellbent on taking a pop at Hitler, this fact-based story would have evolved into a much-loved tribute to British eccentricity. Even now, with Kenneth Cranham and Leo Bill as the ill-matched duo who go Awol from the dental corps, it has considerable period feel and comic charm. But, as with Dad's Army, the humour also belies a shrewd social analysis that gives the combat finale that vital ring of authenticity. However, by recalling its illustrious TV predecessor, this serves to point out the essentially small-screen nature of this slight but enjoyable adventure.
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Gently amusing comedy of well-meaning blunderers in the stiff-upper-lip tradition; it has an old-fashioned charm and is apparently based on a true story.
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Two military dentists, one old, stiff, officious (Cranham), the other young, goofy, impressionable (Bill), decide to... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
A fine British-cast film
Oh joy, a British film that makes no concessions for an American audience. Based on a real incident during World War 2, this features an all British cast, many familiar stalwarts of the small as well as big screen, and they all seem to thoroughly enjoy themselves bringing the story to life.
Although played out rather light-heartedly, the established Kenneth Cranham and new-comer Leo Bill bring depth and compassion to the two protagonists, and Anthony Valentine, in sadly little more than a cameo, excels as the spit-and-polish Regimental Sergeant-Major.
It?s a cracking little film, slight, perhaps, in many respects, but nevertheless you are drawn to the people and the story, and the period is delightfully evoked. My one complaint is that, when you have at core a real and true story, why do the scriptwriters always have to dress it up with more action and bigger bangs than actually happened? Is it not amazing enough that two essentially non-combatants did really go ?absent without leave? and borrowed a fishing boat to cross the channel, and undertook a brief and wholly unofficial raid on occupied France; and then managed to get back to the boat and home again? Why get them mixed up with a big paratroop raid based on the Bruneville raid, a true event but nothing to do with the dentists? story? It strikes me there was quite enough material here without painting the lily in that way.
Still, the film remains a delightfully diverting treat. The producers and writers deserve credit for not writing in a wholly superfluous American role to give the film a bankable minor Hollywood ?name? on the posters. They did, however, pay the price in that I don't think the film never got picked up for American distribution, and got only limited promotion and release here.
So, don?t be put off by the film's low profile, so low it may well have not have even shown up on your radar. If the producers can at least make some money from DVD and Video, such less than wholly commercial films may continue to be made. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Deserved more recognition
What a wonderful story, beautifully told and acted. Because no US owned cinema chain thought it of interest, this British-made film was only shown in about 70 UK cinemas. That's because it's brilliant in a homely British way American excecutives wouldn't understand. We had this in the same week as Intolerable Cruelty and it is difficult to understand why a film as good as this failed to get widespread release while rubbish like that was shown worldwide. A film does not have to have Hollywood stars to be watchable.
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Fascinating piece of forgotten history
The story of two non-combatants who wanted to be heroes and nearly succeeded. ('With a few more lunatics like these, I could win the War by Christmas' - Churchill's quote on the affair.) An enjoyable film and well worth watching. For me, it was slightly spoiled by being made into a comedy. I would have much preferred a more serious film with a rather deeper exploration of the characters of the two self-styled commandos.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
two men went to war
very good film to watch enjoyed it
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[Highly rated reviewer]
Engaging War Story
Not earth shattering, but a pleasant evening's viewing. As somebody wrote, rather like a good TV play. Good performances, apart from the guy who played Churchill. Voice not deep enough.
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
A fine British-cast film
Oh joy, a British film that makes no concessions for an American audience. Based on a real incident during World War 2, this features an all British cast, many familiar stalwarts of the small as well as big screen, and they all seem to thoroughly enjoy themselves bringing the story to life.
Although played out rather light-heartedly, the established Kenneth Cranham and new-comer Leo Bill bring depth and compassion to the two protagonists, and Anthony Valentine, in sadly little more than a cameo, excels as the spit-and-polish Regimental Sergeant-Major.
It?s a cracking little film, slight, perhaps, in many respects, but nevertheless you are drawn to the people and the story, and the period is delightfully evoked. My one complaint is that, when you have at core a real and true story, why do the scriptwriters always have to dress it up with more action and bigger bangs than actually happened? Is it not amazing enough that two essentially non-combatants did really go ?absent without leave? and borrowed a fishing boat to cross the channel, and undertook a brief and wholly unofficial raid on occupied France; and then managed to get back to the boat and home again? Why get them mixed up with a big paratroop raid based on the Bruneville raid, a true event but nothing to do with the dentists? story? It strikes me there was quite enough material here without painting the lily in that way.
Still, the film remains a delightfully diverting treat. The producers and writers deserve credit for not writing in a wholly superfluous American role to give the film a bankable minor Hollywood ?name? on the posters. They did, however, pay the price in that I don't think the film never got picked up for American distribution, and got only limited promotion and release here.
So, don?t be put off by the film's low profile, so low it may well have not have even shown up on your radar. If the producers can at least make some money from DVD and Video, such less than wholly commercial films may continue to be made. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Deserved more recognition
What a wonderful story, beautifully told and acted. Because no US owned cinema chain thought it of interest, this British-made film was only shown in about 70 UK cinemas. That's because it's brilliant in a homely British way American excecutives wouldn't understand. We had this in the same week as Intolerable Cruelty and it is difficult to understand why a film as good as this failed to get widespread release while rubbish like that was shown worldwide. A film does not have to have Hollywood stars to be watchable.
-
Fascinating piece of forgotten history
The story of two non-combatants who wanted to be heroes and nearly succeeded. ('With a few more lunatics like these, I could win the War by Christmas' - Churchill's quote on the affair.) An enjoyable film and well worth watching. For me, it was slightly spoiled by being made into a comedy. I would have much preferred a more serious film with a rather deeper exploration of the characters of the two self-styled commandos.
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brilliant film
very enjoyable, one of those films only the british do well, layed back comedy! well underplayed acting. a joy to watch.
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old-fashioned but rip-roaring tale
A British made and rather old-fashioned tale of two dentists who are caught up in the second world war. Good family film with no serious violence or casualties, no sex (just a little gentle romance) and plenty of good laughs.
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Great British Fun!
Two Men Went To War is charming. An incredible true story, it delivers a dose of comedy and drama in equal portions. Having only found it's way into a handful of cinemas, this film is real 'sleeper' - an undiscovered gem. Beautifully crafted and acted, Two Men is thankfully a long way from the usual British low-budget dross of druggies and gangsters. Perfect Sunday night feel-good fun.
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two men went to war
very good film to watch enjoyed it
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[Highly rated reviewer]
Engaging War Story
Not earth shattering, but a pleasant evening's viewing. As somebody wrote, rather like a good TV play. Good performances, apart from the guy who played Churchill. Voice not deep enough.
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[Highly rated reviewer]
an ok film
We enjoyed this film,it was an unusual story about men and their wartime frustrations.
worth a watch.
Critics' reviews (3)
-
Had it been made 50 years ago, with Roger “Colonel Blimp” Livesey as the Great War veteran and the Ian Carmichael of Private's Progress as his young charge, setting off together for occupied France with a knapsack of grenades, hellbent on taking a pop at Hitler, this fact-based story would have evolved into a much-loved tribute to British eccentricity. Even now, with Kenneth Cranham and Leo Bill as the ill-matched duo who go Awol from the dental corps, it has considerable period feel and comic charm. But, as with Dad's Army, the humour also belies a shrewd social analysis that gives the combat finale that vital ring of authenticity. However, by recalling its illustrious TV predecessor, this serves to point out the essentially small-screen nature of this slight but enjoyable adventure.
-
Gently amusing comedy of well-meaning blunderers in the stiff-upper-lip tradition; it has an old-fashioned charm and is apparently based on a true story.
-
Two military dentists, one old, stiff, officious (Cranham), the other young, goofy, impressionable (Bill), decide to... read more on Time Out
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Based on an amazing true story, TWO MEN WENT TO WAR tells the tale of WWII Army dentists Sergeant Peter King (Kenneth Cranham) and Private Leslie Cuthbertson (Leo Bill), two enlisted men who ... -
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