The Way Ahead

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The Way Ahead

1944

1h 46m

War

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Popcornmeter

100%

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11 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Put in charge of a group of disgruntled British soldiers in the midst of World War II, Lt. Jim Perry (David Niven) tries to find a way to both train and unite the men. While Sgt. Fletcher (Billy Hartnell) attempts to take a forceful approach with the troops, Perry looks for the right mix of his own gentle temperament and the demands of a leader. When the soldiers eventually find themselves in Africa facing General Rommel's impressive forces, they must find a way to fight together.

Wolcott Gibbs

New Yorker

Its great virtue is that it is written about a group of quite commonplace men who have to endure the dirty, tiresome, and murderous business of war as best they can rather than about the picturesque band of heroes usually dispatched from Hollywood.

Oct 15, 2021

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Variety Staff

Variety

Direction by Carol Reed is competent, and undoubtedly accounts for the underlying genuineness of the picture as a semi-documentary.

Mar 26, 2009

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

A warm and touching tribute to the British Army infantryman.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 25, 2006

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David Hanna

Illustrated Daily News (Los Angeles)

Meticulous in its avoidance of Hollywood heroics and refreshingly simple in its few romantic touches.

Jul 9, 2021

Full Review

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

From a thorough, thoughtful and lively script by Eric Ambler and Peter Ustinov, this is an outstanding piece of film-making from the viewpoint of production, direction, camera-work and acting.

Jan 28, 2019

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TV Guide

Bracing, spirited and lovely.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 25, 2013

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saul e

The story has been retold many times since but this is the original. A group of unwilling misfits turned into a dedicated team determined to fight for each other. Niven delivers superbly. Though it's a little dated in script snd acting it's still in my opinion a must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/14/22

Full Review

Audience Member

A gem of a film which seems ahead of its time. Conscript soldiers who don't want to fight, and don't believe in the cause find their purpose and comradeship. The story builds nicely to a great conclusion. Highlight recommended early ww2 film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

well crafted WWII propaganda pic

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Excellent semi-documentary styled WWII propoganda piece about an infantry platoon, from call up to action in North Africa, with David Niven heading up a wonderful cast of British character actors. There is an exciting evacuation from a torpedoed troop ship and the battle at the end is very impressive.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent performance by David Niven. The movie kept my interest. I've seen it all before--the ragtag bunch of draftees becomes a top flight fighting unit. It's good, but I doubt I'll watch it again. This was made during WWII so that gives it a slightly different edge.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

though historical;ly inaccurate still worth watching.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Carol Reed

Director

David Niven

Lieutenant Jim Perry

Stanley Holloway

Pvt. Ted Brewer

Raymond Huntley

Pvt. Herbert Davenport

James Donald

Pvt. Evans Lloyd

John Laurie

Pvt. Luke

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Synopsis

Put in charge of a group of disgruntled British soldiers in the midst of World War II, Lt. Jim Perry (David Niven) tries to find a way to both train and unite the men. While Sgt. Fletcher (Billy Hartnell) attempts to take a forceful approach with the troops, Perry looks for the right mix of his own gentle temperament and the demands of a leader. When the soldiers eventually find themselves in Africa facing General Rommel's impressive forces, they must find a way to fight together.

Director: Carol Reed
Screenwriter: Eric Ambler, Peter Ustinov
Production Co: Two Cities Films Ltd.
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 22, 2018
Runtime: 1h 46m

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