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The Way Ahead

Play trailer Poster for The Way Ahead 1944 1h 46m War Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 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.

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The Way Ahead

Critics Reviews

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Wolcott Gibbs The 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times A warm and touching tribute to the British Army infantryman. Rated: 4/5 Mar 25, 2006 Full Review 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 Full Review TV Guide Bracing, spirited and lovely. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 25, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Audience Member well crafted WWII propaganda pic Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member though historical;ly inaccurate still worth watching. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Way Ahead

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Way Ahead

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Movie Info

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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