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      Private's Progress

      1955 1h 39m Comedy List
      Reviews 79% 100+ Ratings Audience Score As World War II settles over England, university student Stanley Windrush (Ian Carmichael) receives his call-up. During training, Windrush is plunged into a thoroughly unfamiliar world, with his leading officer, Maj. Hitchcock, more apt to be found in a pub than on the base. There's also Pvt. Percy Fox (Richard Attenborough), a cunning working-class type always on the make, and the cold and crafty Bertram Tracepurcel (Dennis Price). All are being trained for an unusual mission inside Germany. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine It's unlikely to aid recruiting in the Old Country but it's shrewdly designed to give audiences everywhere a pretty hilarious time. Nov 7, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      isla s This is a mildly amusing/entertaining film, with the main character trying to do all he can to prevent being put into dangerous territory, having been thrust into the army against his wishes. I was pleased to see John Le Mesurier present, playing a Psychiatrist. It seems he was in a fair few films. The comedy is a little madcap perhaps - it has a comic book feel to it, being quite visual based. There are some obvious stereotypes contained, such as the right bounder character, with a natty moustache and all. I thought some of the dialogue was amusing and its certainly an easy watch, if maybe a little silly. I like that it takes the what-not out of the upper crust types, I have to say!. Its maybe a little predictable and somewhat cheesy but I thought it was also an easy and entertaining watch, so I'd recommend it regardless, if your ok with black and white films of course (this film dates from the early 1950s - 1951 to be precise). Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Ian Carmichael as a hapless young man called up into the army. Failing to make the grade as an officer, he ends up among the common soldiery and learns a lot from crafty private Richard Attenborough. William Hartnell is the sergeant (what else?) and Terry-Thomas the officer ("you're a shower, an absolute shower"). Very cynical but funny comedy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member enjoyable comic romp Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member I think this film inspired carry on soldier Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review eric b This light, military comedy is an early hit from the Boulting brothers ("Brighton Rock," "Twisted Nerve," "The Family Way," "There's a Girl in My Soup," "Heavens Above!"). It may remind contemporary audiences of both "The Phil Silvers Show" (contraband deals and get-rich scheming) and "Stripes" (a misfit stumbles through basic training, then joins a mettle-testing mission involving a quick sneak over enemy lines). And of course, it overlaps with its more famous sequel, "I'm All Right Jack." Peter Sellers is absent from "Private's Progress," but the film does star Ian Carmichael as the same privileged, clumsily apologetic twit seen in "Jack." Multiple other actors also play repeat roles, including Terry-Thomas, Dennis Price, Kenneth Griffith and Richard Attenborough (such a sharp presence, and always so hard to connect with his later persona as a prestigious director). Oddly, the cast also includes an uncredited Christopher Lee in a small part as a German officer. The film could use a better villain -- the camp's ineffectual commanders are so wishy-washy that their dealings with the soldiers are short on comic sparks. The script also has less of the punchy social satire that distinguishes "Heavens Above!" and "I'm All Right Jack," which is unfortunate. It's mostly about gentle laughs and good fun, though a deadpan prologue about military bureaucracy scores some direct hits. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Ian Carmichael Terry-Thomas Dennis Price You know you can't go wrong with a cast like that Don't mess with Stanley Windrush The follow up I'm All Right Jack is even better & a true British classic Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Private's Progress

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis As World War II settles over England, university student Stanley Windrush (Ian Carmichael) receives his call-up. During training, Windrush is plunged into a thoroughly unfamiliar world, with his leading officer, Maj. Hitchcock, more apt to be found in a pub than on the base. There's also Pvt. Percy Fox (Richard Attenborough), a cunning working-class type always on the make, and the cold and crafty Bertram Tracepurcel (Dennis Price). All are being trained for an unusual mission inside Germany.
      Director
      John Boulting
      Production Co
      Boulting Brothers, British Lion Film Corporation
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 39m