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The Way Ahead [DVD] [1944]
 
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The Way Ahead [DVD] [1944]

DVD ~ David Niven
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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The Way Ahead [DVD] [1944]
62% buy the item featured on this page:
The Way Ahead [DVD] [1944] 4.1 out of 5 stars (11)
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Product details

  • Actors: David Niven, Stanley Holloway, James Donald, John Laurie, Leslie Dwyer
  • Directors: Carol Reed
  • Writers: Eric Ambler, Peter Ustinov
  • Producers: Herbert Smith, John Sutro, Norman Walker, Stanley Haynes
  • Format: Black & White, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: U
  • Studio: ITV DVD
  • DVD Release Date: 17 May 2004
  • Run Time: 110 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004WIAO
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 13,294 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Synopsis

Boasting a script by Eric Ambler and Peter Ustinov, The Way Ahead [1944] is a rousing version of a familiar WWII genre: an officer must hammer a small group of disparate characters into an effective fighting unit as quickly as possible. David Niven stars as tough-minded Lieutenant Jim Perry, who has to put a reluctant and sometimes comically inept group of raw recruits through fantastically realistic basic training exercises. When the troops hit the beaches of North Africa, they finally begin to understand the purpose behind their training.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Propaganda and realism, 8 Jan 2003
By rob heath (kuwait) - See all my reviews
A story of the tough days of the Second World War (when Britain stood alone and kept losing up to the time of approaching victory in the Western Desert, despite losses in the Far East) made just before the Allied landings in Normandy. A 'keep the spirits up and victory will be ours' effort which has the massive advantage of great screenwriting (Ambler and Ustinov) and acting (Niven, Ustinov, Holloway et al and the wonderfully pompous Raymond Huntley). Excellent characterizations of, largely, moaning new soldiers being knocked into shape by Sergeant Hartnell as they become a force to take on Jerry. The last scene as the platoon advance into enemy fire is one to inspire and terrify: the ordinary British Tommy could win but there would be a cost; terrible but worth bearing. Bloody marvellous stuff. Literally.
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars The way we were, 3 May 2006
A splendid evocation of my father's generation.Ordinary men who accepted the discipline and uniformity of army life, obeyed orders and did their duty, while retaining their diversity and individualism. The truth is that the second world war was won by shop boys, car mechanics, clerks, bolier men, Oxford graduates,choral scholars teachers and park keepers, who, through the regimental system were moulded into infantrymen. The final scene as the diverse characters advance into the enemy fire, united in a common beleif in King, Country and regiment, yet still individuals, is one of the most moving in Brtiish cinema.
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38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An understated classic, 30 Jul 2002
By Anthony Porter (Huddersfield, WEst Yorkshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Way Ahead [VHS] [1944] (VHS Tape)
This is one of those rarely seen films that is a joy to behold.

From the director that made 'The Third Man' we have an often told tale of how a disparate group of recruits into the army are gradually molded together to become a team.

The Difference here though, as with all Brithish films of this period is the characterisation, everyone you meet in the film has one, and you learn about them, and in a way grow with them.

From their first meeting in the Army base to the closing scene as they unflinchingly advance on the rarely seen enemy this film is full of character and low key drama. It is a tribute to the common infantry man of WW2 and the bonds of friendship they formed.

If you are fans of WW2 films or Classic British films in general then watch this film it will not dissapoint.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Top British war film
The first Carry on film was Carry on sergeant and William Hartnell was the sergeant in that who was retiring and in this film he was cast as the sergeant. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Peter Wade

2.0 out of 5 stars Its ok
Its an ok film while you are watching - David Niven breezes through the film and William Hartnell provides the best acting - but I felt disappointed and cheated by the ending. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Alex da Silva

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic propaganda
Great film. One can only imagine the frame of mind of those originally watching it during the war. Brilliantly avoids the trap of portraying characters as heroes, they're just... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. T. P. Kingston

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Greatest
This is one of the most affecting films I have ever seen, and makes me wonder how I could have passed so many years of life and never seen it before. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Denis Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic
This movie shows what can be done when talents such as Ustinov and Ambler are told to make an Army training film and they then managed to come up with a classic like this... Read more
Published on 11 Jul 2007 by ray dorrity

4.0 out of 5 stars Great propaganda movie
One of those with characters drawn from disparate backgrounds who end up pulling together. They spend the first half of the film whingeing about absolutely everything (they remind... Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2007 by Ms. L. R. Fisher

4.0 out of 5 stars A good Black & White WW2 film
This movie follows the call up and training of various men, called up to fight in WW2.
It's interesting to see the men from different backgrounds, (the important business... Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2007 by Ty-Fry-Typhoon

5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy or Eccentric!
“The Way Ahead” is a wonderful addition to the History of film. I am sure the Director took the material given to him and changed it beyond recognition. Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2006 by nmollo

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