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Product Description
Documentary-style film which tells two sides of the Dunkirk story. A British corporal (John Mills) finds himself responsible for getting his men back to Britain from the Dunkirk beaches, after their officer is killed and they are separated from the main allied forces. Meanwhile, a civilian reporter (Bernard Lee) follows the build-up to the eventual evacuation of British and French troops from the beaches of Dunkirk.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
87 of 87 people found the following review helpful
By Denis Smith
I thought I knew the titles of just about all British war films (and had seen most of them), but for some reason I had never even heard of this one. This made me suspect that it wasn't very good, when I saw it advertised on Amazon, but I decided to buy it anyway, on the strength of the good reviews it seemed to be getting. How glad I am that I did! It is absolutely superb! It is brilliantly directed, so that it is gripping from first moment to last, and so utterly realistic and consistently interesting (it reminded me a little in that respect of the best parts of the recent "Band of Brothers"). I only ever bother to write reveiews of products that I think have been somewhat overlooked or under-appreciated, or which are surprisingly good, and "Dunkirk" falls into all those categories. It is, also, incidentally, educative, in that it deals with that part of World War II which has probably had least attention from film-makers, namely the early days leading up to the fall of France. What, precisely, was the British Expeditionary Force trying to do, and where did they get to before they were beaten back? You will get some idea of the answers to these questions from this film. You will, also, I think, get a pretty good idea of what it was like to be an infantryman at the time.
I must also mention the special effects. For a modern film they would be very good indeed, for a film made in the 1950s they are simply amazing - gunfire, bombs, explosions, ships sinking - all horribly realistic and terrifying. For anyone wondering whether or not to buy this film, hesitate no longer: it is simply one of the best war films ever made!
I must also mention the special effects. For a modern film they would be very good indeed, for a film made in the 1950s they are simply amazing - gunfire, bombs, explosions, ships sinking - all horribly realistic and terrifying. For anyone wondering whether or not to buy this film, hesitate no longer: it is simply one of the best war films ever made!
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
I recall seeing this film the first time during its initial release during 1958, and to this day, remains one of my favourite British War films alongside Sink The Bismarck, Battle of Britain, and the Dam Busters just to name a few.
The story centres around a platoon of British soldiers who become accidentally detached from the main force retreating back to the French coast after the German Army breaches French defences around the Sedan area. After the platoon sergeant is killed in action Corporal John Mills takes charge and throughout many stirring adventures, he and his comrades finally reach the beaches where they spend a harrowing few days dodging the German Stuka Dive Bombers dropping their bombs amongst the sand dunes.
As a fine war film in its own right, I cannot rate this film too highly. It still stands up very well after all these years. Certainly, it is no Saving Private Ryan, it doesnt have to be; it is a great human story about the remnants of a large army struggling to survive against impossible odds.
The story is also enhanced by a group of sailor volunteers led by Bernard Lee who take their boats across the Channel to bring home the men stranded on the beaches, and this film is a testament to their courage and the "Little Ships" for which the miracle of Dunkirk is remembered.
The Dunkirk evacuation was a heroic defeat for the British Army, but it also allowed the army to fight another day. It is also a tribute to the courage of all the men who fought and died there.
This film should be in everyones collection. Good picture and sound.
The story centres around a platoon of British soldiers who become accidentally detached from the main force retreating back to the French coast after the German Army breaches French defences around the Sedan area. After the platoon sergeant is killed in action Corporal John Mills takes charge and throughout many stirring adventures, he and his comrades finally reach the beaches where they spend a harrowing few days dodging the German Stuka Dive Bombers dropping their bombs amongst the sand dunes.
As a fine war film in its own right, I cannot rate this film too highly. It still stands up very well after all these years. Certainly, it is no Saving Private Ryan, it doesnt have to be; it is a great human story about the remnants of a large army struggling to survive against impossible odds.
The story is also enhanced by a group of sailor volunteers led by Bernard Lee who take their boats across the Channel to bring home the men stranded on the beaches, and this film is a testament to their courage and the "Little Ships" for which the miracle of Dunkirk is remembered.
The Dunkirk evacuation was a heroic defeat for the British Army, but it also allowed the army to fight another day. It is also a tribute to the courage of all the men who fought and died there.
This film should be in everyones collection. Good picture and sound.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By A. G. Lucas
What a great film.
The trek back to Dunkirk in the face of defeat is so well captured and the agony of the wait by the troops on the beach as each vessel that pulled up was attacked by Stuker dive bombers is wonderfully interpreted.
My old Dad was at Dunkirk and his description of those Stukers bombing not just ships and boats but troops on the beach, validates these scenes, in my mind making this film a true study of the spirit of the time.
The trek back to Dunkirk in the face of defeat is so well captured and the agony of the wait by the troops on the beach as each vessel that pulled up was attacked by Stuker dive bombers is wonderfully interpreted.
My old Dad was at Dunkirk and his description of those Stukers bombing not just ships and boats but troops on the beach, validates these scenes, in my mind making this film a true study of the spirit of the time.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the Best
I just saw this yesterday, really the rest of it. I had stopped watching it the other day because it didn't catch my interest. The rest of the film was no better. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2010 by plid
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Englsh war piece
Dunkirk, famous, brave soldiers wonderful episode with the famed little boats saving the English soldiers. The British have alot to be proud of. Not a defeat really.
Published on 7 Jun 2009 by good music
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back to Blighty
Dunkirk is a first-rate war drama about the fall of France in May 1940, the retreat of the British Expeditionary Force to the coastal town of Dunkirk, and "Operation Dynamo" - the... Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2009 by Oliver Twist
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dunkirk with John Mills
Brilliant movie John Mills one of the best actors in his era.Great to see how our men done at Dunkirk,well portrayed as they fought against all those odds against them.
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by Mr. J. Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first blockbuster
Like many other reviewers I came to this film by accident and almost reluctantly. It isn't the best known and, until now, was not widely viewed. Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2008 by Michael Charles
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best underrated WW2 films
There are 3 types of World War 2 films, the Hollywood blockbuster, the Noel Coward stiff upper lip variety and films like Dunkirk. Read more
Published on 9 April 2008 by alanf1135
4.0 out of 5 stars
No nonsense motion picture
An honest story. Almost like a lecture on history. It's an old movie so the tech stuff is not great and the budget was not for fantastic actors and lot's of retakes and editing,... Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2008 by Niels Kristian Schmidt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not spoken about enough!
An absolute classic war film starring John Mills, with many memorable scenes. In particular when leaving an English battery in a wood to be attacked by Stukas and the horrific... Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2007 by S. Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dunkirk: A truly brilliant movie
This has to be one of the very best movies about WW2. There is an enormous sense of realism, almost docudrama, enhanced by the understated performances and the black-and-white... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2007 by Vandal9
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
This film is superb, a masterpiece of editing. I used to use it as an example of narrative and visual flow. Read more
Published on 20 May 2007 by Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk
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