Having watched the new, dreadful Dunkirk last night, I feel compelled to write a review for the "old" Dunkirk, which is one of my favourite war movies.I must admit though, having watched this film many times, I do feel compelled to fast forward through a lot of the civilian bits. These parts haven't aged well, and tend to drag on the overall story.However, the story of the army section, cut off from its main unit, and trying desperately to get to the coast, is thrilling and classic story telling. The action is as good as any modern day CGI, with John Mills actually burning his eyebrows off (not sure how to spell singing as in pronounced sinjing) in the scene with him trying to rescue the man from the burning vehicle.The killing of the sentry, although showing no gore, exhibits great film making to make it every bit as ghastly. Again, modern day directors should take note - implied violence can be just as good, if not better, than gratuitous violence shown on screen.The little ships mobilising is done extremely well, and this movie, unlike its modern day counterpart, makes sure the viewer gets to know the back story, and shows an epic effort to evacuate the soldiers.Just like The Cruel Sea, and Carve Her Name With Fame, this is brilliant story telling, at times, making you feel like you are watching a little bit of history unfold.

The story of the famous evacuation of British forces from the beaches of Dunkirk in May/June 1940. Seen through the eyes of a squad of infantrymen, and their leader, Corporal Binns, in particular, as well as civilians who helped evacuate the soldiers. Also covers the high-level decisions as well as the individual sacrifices that were made.History will record the Battle of Dunkirk as a British/Allied defeat, as the Germans ultimately captured the pocket and inflicted over 60,000 casualties on the Allies. However, over 300,000 Allied troops escaped, living to fight another day. This, and the method to evacuate them - the large scale use of civilian craft of all shapes and sizes, bolstered British morale and ultimately kept Britain in the war.The inspirational nature of the event is captured well in this movie, as are the actions during and leading up to it. Quite gritty in showing the bravery involved, sacrifices made and against-the- odds nature of the event. Good performances by the main actors - John Mills as Corporal Binns and Richard Attenborough as John Holden. Supporting cast are a mixed bag, varying from solid to serious over-acting.Overall, a great depiction of a momentous event.

Simple, direct and lacking in the sugary schmaltz that characterised Mrs Miniver. The real film footage cut into the story works to brilliant effect.The BEF might have been composed of regulars and early volunteers, but they were not equipped to deal with a vastly superior force that had honed their battle tactics in the Spanish Civil War three years before. The film perfectly captures the dawning realisation of their hopeless position without excessive drama.It is a shame that more was not made of the actual evacuation, but as a tribute to the "little ships" and the effort to save the combined British and French forces, this is an impressive entry. The top brass in London was certain of only being able to save maybe fifty thousand; they lifted three hundred and thirty thousand men off those beaches.Bernard Lee's dialogue with John Mills on where it all went so very wrong is one of the best pieces in the film.

This film is worth seeing as a good account of the Dunkirk evacuation. John Mills gives a fine performance. I agree with a previous comment that more time could have been devoted to the actual evacuation. However the time devoted to the group of UK soldiers moving through France helps to show conditions for the French people. Someone asked about where the Lock was. The Lock on the Thames where the small boatyard scenes were filmed is Teddington Lock. the suspension footbridge is still there as is the weir. Toughs Boatyard which is referred to in the film was on the River Thames at Teddington opposite the lock, it is now I believe demolished and been replaced by riverside apartments. Other scenes were filmed by the River Thames at Twickenham, along the embankment by Twickenham's Eel Pie Island. This still looks pretty much the same if you go there now.(Except for all the parked cars!John