IMDb RATING
6.9/10
402
YOUR RATING
In 1940, a British engineer goes to France to retrieve specialized armaments machinery, loaned to the French, before the invading Nazi armies can capture it.In 1940, a British engineer goes to France to retrieve specialized armaments machinery, loaned to the French, before the invading Nazi armies can capture it.In 1940, a British engineer goes to France to retrieve specialized armaments machinery, loaned to the French, before the invading Nazi armies can capture it.
Francis L. Sullivan
- French Skipper
- (as François Sully)
Ronald Adam
- Sir Charles Fawcett Managing Director
- (uncredited)
Anthony Ainley
- Boy
- (uncredited)
Robert Bendall
- Boy
- (uncredited)
Mrs. Blewett
- Woman
- (uncredited)
Bill Blewitt
- Aircraft Spotter on Works Roof
- (uncredited)
John Boxer
- Official
- (uncredited)
Diane Clare
- Girl
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFrequently considered to be the feature film debut of Gordon Jackson (who portrayed Alastair 'Jock' MacFarlan, 19th Fusiliers). However, although Nine Men (1943) was released approximately one year after this film, it was in production and completed before this one, so both have a claim to being Gordon Jackson's film debut.
- GoofsAs the army truck loaded with the machines is heading for the coast it's attacked by a Stuka dive makes 3 passes dropping a bomb each time but the Stukas only carried a single bomb and despite the 3 explosions there's no sign of a bomb on the 2nd and 3rd passes.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits prologue: This picture is dedicated to Melbourne Johns. He is the foreman who went to France, and our story is based on his adventures.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Close to the Enemy: Episode #1.3 (2016)
Featured review
A useful reminder of "Operation Ariel"
It has been a decade or more since I last saw this film. In 1942 it must have been very close to British audience. Nowadays most people still are aware of the evacuation from Dunkirk (Operation Dynamo) but the evacuation from Normandy and other points along the coast (Operation Ariel) is far less well known even although nearly as many British troops were brought home by Ariel as by Dynamo. The film did not dwell too much on the grim conditions (the audience wanted a bit of escapism after all) but conveyed the notion that no-one knows when they will be called on to "do their bit" for victory and hopefully rise to the occasion.
By the time of the release of the film the Battle of Midway had been won, the Germans had 57 tanks in North Africa and Generals January and February had taken their toll of the Germans in the Eastern Front. Although the Battle of the Atlantic had yet to be won the audience had grounds for optimism. The film had to have been made before it was clear that the tide had turned so it was quite remarkable that it should have hit just the right note.
By the time of the release of the film the Battle of Midway had been won, the Germans had 57 tanks in North Africa and Generals January and February had taken their toll of the Germans in the Eastern Front. Although the Battle of the Atlantic had yet to be won the audience had grounds for optimism. The film had to have been made before it was clear that the tide had turned so it was quite remarkable that it should have hit just the right note.
helpful•60
- wrs10
- Aug 24, 2012
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Foreman Went to France
- Filming locations
- Teston Bridge, Kent, England, UK(This bridge at 1: 15 is over the River Medway at Teston near Maidstone in Kent. Coincidentally the same Bridge is also blown up in the film Dunkirk - unlucky bridge! .)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 27 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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