April, 1802, His Majesty, King George III, directed that they should be styled THE ROYAL MARINES. Picture by Steve Fryer. the scenes were shot in Bracknell, when it was developing as a New Town. Set during the Second World War, it is a fictionalised account of Operation Frankton, the December 1942 raid by canoe-borne British commandos on shipping in Bordeaux Harbour. After being interviewed by the Major, Marine George Ruddock (David Lodge) and Marine Lomas (Percy Herbert) listen as Clarke jokingly questions his own motives. The money the studios paid him helped to restore the near derelict watermill which is the only working one on the Thames now. Is the information and enjoyment enough to donate 10 towards our running costs. Set during the Second World War, it is a fictionalised account of Operation Frankton, the December 1942 raid on German cargo shipping by British Royal Marines, when Special Boat Service commandos infiltrated Bordeaux Harbour using . The River Thames with Woolwich Power Station penetrating the skyline. . It was very popular; The Cockleshell Heroes followed the same formula. Barbara Windsor, Sid James and all", "O mr porter. the progress film company had a studio here because of the perfect lighting conditions. "A film called "Mr Drake's Duck" was filmed(1950's?) To the left is Eastney Barracks Officers Mess and on the right is Eastney Fort, or Battery, East. Of course it finished with everyone singing "Out of town". So too was Richard Widmark[7] who ended up making A Prize of Gold for the company instead. The London I Love Written in 1941 and sung by Lana in the 1955 film The Cockleshell Heores. On the orders of Thompson, the men are given an hour's close order drill. ", "Sound subject Tom. Anyone know what pub it is/was ? Letterboxd Limited. I've been on quite the WW2 action adventure binge recently, they haven't all been great but this one is certainly the oddest specimen, a film directed by and starring Jos Ferrer in what is quite clearly an ego trip. [4] The script was based on a Reader's Digest account of the mission by George Kent.[5]. "Back in the 70's Hollywood came to Warfield, near Bracknell when the Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow was using the location of Warfield Hall for one of the scenes. Share this During the initiative test while the marines are making their way back to base, they cross a railway bridge as an electric train pulls into the station but when they board the train and it . I'm the one who is responsible for the success or the failure of this project, so if you don't mind, we'll do it my way. Having lived in Southsea I think it doubtful that you'd see the submarine tower from the Eastney Barracks. Which I believe is still in existence and being used as a coal depot. (Warwick had secured the use of the process for Cockleshell and A Prize of Arms. When the British Admiralty was approached to co-operate it requested that Spencer Tracy play the lead. Stringer is the enthusiastic promoter of commando operations requiring daring and initiative, but has no experience leading men or operations. [29][30], One Foreword for CHFWitness by Matthew Little, former RMM Archivist and librarian, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The Cockleshell Heroes (1955) - Jos Ferrer - Cast and Crew - AllMovie", Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Cockleshell_Heroes&oldid=1132784646, This page was last edited on 10 January 2023, at 15:34. It looks like a silvery grey tower block. For instance, deciding. Please give what you can. 07-08-09 12:52 PM #22. dadsarmy. . In between shooting sessions I took pictures of the various sets, ie the shop and the inn! Release Dates James provides this image of the location now. Set during the Second World War, it is a fictionalised account of Operation Frankton, the December 1942 raid by canoe-borne British commandos on shipping in Bordeaux Harbour. The two corvettes were both scrapped shortly after filming (in 1956 and 1958 respectively). The film depicts a heavily fictionalised version of Operation Frankton, the December 1942 raid on German cargo shipping by British Royal Marines Commandos, who . [10], The script was written by Bryan Forbes who was better known at the time as an actor. Premiere Information World premiere in London: 16 Nov 1955; San Diego, CA premiere: 17 Apr 1956 Production Company Warwick Film Productions, Ltd. Distribution Company Columbia Pictures Corp. Country Great Britain and United States Location London, England, Great Britain; Tagus River,Portugal Screenplay Information ", "They made 'Oh Mr. Porter', with Will Hay, at Lasham railway station. The next exercise sees the squad canoeing up the Thames to their objective at Deptford. Time ticks away as the squad reach the beach. At a critical stage of the war, fast Merchant ships operating from Bordeaux were seriously endangering the British blockade. The cockle was scuttled and its two Royal Marines, clinging desperately to the sterns of Catfish and Cuttlefish, were towed towards land, close to the lighthouse at Pointe de Grave, before Hasler. Chances for success are very small. Language Label Description Also known as; English: The Cockleshell Heroes. The canoes are loaded before the submarine sets sail for the three night journey to Bordeaux. The station building survived the lines closure but the track did not. Please give what you can. Cinema blockbusters made on the Beach included an adaptation of Charles Dickens novel, Little Dorrit and the Mayor of Casterbridge produced under the guidance of the author, Thomas Hardy. Film Locations; Cockleshell Heroes (locations) Donate to keep BritMovie alive. The squad are driven to Portsmouth to board a submarine. Fort Widley. | Lacking in stuffiness is commendable for 1950's war flicks. Enemy troops discover Stevens and Bradley on a French beach as they sleep after losing their canoe during the 75 mile row from the submarine. . It was the first Warwick Film to be . Maj. Stringer (Jose Ferrer) needs to assemble a crack squad of British Royal Marines for a highly unusual mission. Later, Ferrer steals the fish lorry only to abandon it at Shepperton Station (Surrey) in order to catch a just-departing Up train allegedly to Portsmouth, steam train noises being provided on this otherwise electric branch. In 1942, 10 Royal Marine canoeists embarked on a mission to attach mines to enemy supply ships in Bordeaux. Having removed the enemy uniform, Ruddock runs through the streets in his underclothes. On the one hand a Boys Own rollicking war adventure with a soupcon of Carry On farce, on the other a dramatic re-enactment of a real WWII commando raid with all the resulting loss of life that entrails. Fun cast with a young Christopher Lee in a small role. Bookings: 07795 342639E-Mail: Jayne@jaynedarling.co.ukWebsite htt. Sergeant Craig trains the men following Stringer's directions, but Thompson strongly disapproves of his commander's lax methods. You can make donations via PayPal at the Powell and Pressburger site. It was the first Warwick Film to be filmed in CinemaScope. After limpet mines have been attached to ships, soldiers scan the water as the canoeists attempt to escape. Item location: GB, United Kingdom. Clunky, unbelievable and in poor taste, Ferrer is out of his depth without canoe, wet-suit or snorkel. The key elements of the real story were respected: the operation takes place in December 1942, the target are indeed German blockade-runners in Bordeaux and the final results of the raid are the same in the film as in the real story. The score is overbearing and insanely dramatic. He was also a renowned theatre director and had just directed his first feature, The Shrike (1955). And our local cathedrals are accustomed to Hollywood rolling into town. Alas I wasn't involved at the time of making any of these, except for photographs at Blackbushe of the mock ups and flat aircraft, which look strange when seen from the wrong angle.". A derilict barn on the Duke of Norfolk's estate was burned down as part of the action. (RL). The Royal Marines were given the job. This is Peter's shot of the same location. I watched the filming on many occasions, as a lot of it was just yards from where I lived.". Shop now Customers who viewed this item also viewed Page 1 of 1 Start over Best of British Cinema 10 Action Packed Movies Rank Collection 94 DVD 5 offers from $42.89 Then ( with a good extra part worth 705) I took part in (1992) the Browning Version - it was actually mostly filmed at Milton Abbey by the way. Recently, James Nesbitt was seen filming on the seafront but I have no idea what this was about!!! The Cockleshell Heroes The Royal Marine commandos trained around Portsmouth for four months ahead of their secret mission in December 1942. The Navy was unable to penetrate the defenses without air cover . John Pound Scrap Yard. Wikipedia Information. Following on from the Eagle Has Landed, I was fortunate enough to be on hand when the film was being shot at Mapledurham. The Dogs of War is 304809131826 As he cycles south, Ferrer has to wait for a passing northbound train (a van hauled by LSWR T9 class locomotive 30729) so he takes the opportunity to abandon his bicycle in favour of a ride in the rear of a fish lorry. Thompson gives Ruddock enough time to beat up his wife's paramour, then drives him back to camp. The film briefly uses several railway locations including the level crossing (Military Road) adjacent to Fort Brockhurst railway station on the (by then "goods only") Gosport branch in Hampshire. Firstly a lot of the series To Serve Them All Thy Days was filmed here in the 1970s and then in the 1980s (late? The men have just twelve minutes to dispose of the mine at sea. The Four Horse Shoes public house at Burrow Hill Green, Chobham in Surrey with Burrow Hill House to the right. Fortunately all the smokers eventually disappeared into a puff of smoke. While Combined Operations Headquarters monitor progress, one by one the canoeists are caught. 3.99. If like me, you're a fan of movie restoration, EUREKA CLASSICS' newly released Blu-ray of "Cockleshell Heroes" is a superb example of the way it should be done. I think it is worth a mention that the opening scene of SAHARA was also used as they transfored the lake to appear as an old narrow river where the boat makes its first journey before being later found in the dessert (morocco).". I'd love to hear from you "The street we live in , Haywood Bracknell, was used as the home of the little boy at the end of Terry Gilliams "Time bandits", the lady who lives at number 12 remembers the day of the shoot. It may not be the right way, or the Marine way, or the professional way, but it is my way and that's the way I want it. Wikipedia advises that King George V Docks in North Woolwich E16 were used in the harbour scenes. Posts to: Worldwide. Lee-on-the-Solent mum marks a year of dipping in the sea daily in aid of UK charity Lepra, Dobbies garden centre invites youngsters to learn about Sunflowers, Youngsters invited to learn how to grown Sunflowers - here's how, Police search for missing Portsmouth man Tyson Hamer as family grow 'increasingly concerned' for his safety, Car parking charges to increase ten per cent at Frensham Great Pond, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. It was the first independent film shot in Britain to use CinemaScope. "Hi Tom I am a Master at Milton Abbey and we have had Five film units filming here at Milton Abbey School or close by. May be not Hollywood but Ken Russell at his best. The Parade Ground as it appears now with the air raid shelters removed. Taking time out from the initiative test, Clarke pays a visit to Myrtle, an old flame who is not pleased to see him. It would be great if a search could be instigated and information compiled as it would be great snap shot of that era. Production Company: Warwick Film Productions, Stars: Jos Ferrer, Dora Bryan, Trevor Howard, Victor Maddern, Anthony Newley, Sydney Tafler, Gladys Henson, Christopher Lee, Sam Kydd Thompson (Trevor Howard) is e. The Cockleshell Heroes (1956) Film details Featuring Jos Ferrer Trevor Howard Dora Bryan Director Jos Ferrer Countries United Kingdom USA Year 1956 Genre War Type Film Category Fiction Synopsis The training of a group of volunteers as commandos to blow up ships in Bordeaux Harbour. Shepperton Studios with Littleton Park House in the background. Film rights to the story eventually went to Warwick Films, a new production company based in Britain run by the American producers Albert Broccoli, who would later produce many James Bond films, and Irving Allen. 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