Very much a product of it's time, this is your typical post-war British flick about our brave soldiers espousing the belief that 'no man gets left behind'. A plane full of men gets shot down over the ocean, while carrying some highly classified documents in a briefcase. Stuck in an inflatable dinghy in enemy territory, they cling on in desperation... Knowing that if starvation and thirst don't kill them, the approaching 'Jerrys' and a nearby minefield just might do the job...
Meanwhile, a base tries to organise a rescue attempt, as one of the missing soldier's girlfriend frets, and an overzealous corporal is more interested in nailing one of the evacuees for the supposed theft of army property, than ensuing his safe return. It all takes place in a British society still ridden with class differences, where "steady on, old chap" was a common phrase, and foreigners where generally depicted as being slightly odd.
All stirring stuff, but despite the odd moment of levity involving an inept crew member, and a few anecdotes about another who seems obsessed with his wife, hearing these underwritten characters prattle on for an hour and half does have the tendency to wear on the nerves. Nothing much of note happens until the final gun battle... Until then, it struggles to hold your attention...
What was it called again? 5/10
Meanwhile, a base tries to organise a rescue attempt, as one of the missing soldier's girlfriend frets, and an overzealous corporal is more interested in nailing one of the evacuees for the supposed theft of army property, than ensuing his safe return. It all takes place in a British society still ridden with class differences, where "steady on, old chap" was a common phrase, and foreigners where generally depicted as being slightly odd.
All stirring stuff, but despite the odd moment of levity involving an inept crew member, and a few anecdotes about another who seems obsessed with his wife, hearing these underwritten characters prattle on for an hour and half does have the tendency to wear on the nerves. Nothing much of note happens until the final gun battle... Until then, it struggles to hold your attention...
What was it called again? 5/10