Carol Reed directs David Niven, Peter Ustinov and Trevor Howard in this wartime story. Carol Reed directs an all-star cast including David Niven, Peter Ustinov, Stanley Holloway, John Laurie and Trevor Howard in this wartime story of men called up for service. The film shows how they are moulded into a British Army fighting unit and then sent into battle. ‘Memorable semi-documentary’ - Halliwell’s Film Guide ‘A celebration of the ordinary man as soldier’ - Time Out