They Were Not Divided (1950)

The film begins in a WW II training depot of a British Guards armoured regiment where recruits from many walks of life learn to survive the strict discipline and training together before ... See full summary »

Director:

Terence Young

Writer:

Terence Young

Stars:

Edward Underdown, Ralph Clanton, Helen Cherry

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Underdown	...	Philip
Ralph Clanton	...	David
Helen Cherry	...	Wilhelmina
Stella Andrew	...	Jane
Michael Brennan	...	Smoke O'Connor
Michael Trubshawe	...	Major Bushey Noble
Rupert Gerard	...	Earl of Bentham
John Wynn	...	'45 Jones
Desmond Llewelyn	...	'77 Jones
Anthony Dawson	...	Michael
Estelle Brody	...	War Correspondent
Rufus Cruikshank	...	Sergeant Dean
R.S.M. Brittain	...	Regimental Sergeant Major
Christopher Lee	...	Chris Lewis
Alvin Floyd	...	Butch

Storyline

The film begins in a WW II training depot of a British Guards armoured regiment where recruits from many walks of life learn to survive the strict discipline and training together before going into battle in tanks. There is a cameo appearance by the real Sgt. Major Brittain who was famous in the British guards regiments.

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Plot Keywords:

world war two | ardennes

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Genres:

War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 February 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

Companheiros da Glória

Company Credits

Production Co:

J. Arthur Rank Organisation, Two Cities Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film of Robert Ayres.

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Goofs

An on screen caption reads "1943 Anzio and the war being won in Italy". The Anzio landings actually took place in January 1944.

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Connections

Referenced in Terence Young: Bond Vivant (1999)

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Soundtracks

"The British Grenadiers"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Jacob Kappey

User Reviews

Unknown Gem. Must see for WWII buffs

The BBC recently aired this on a lazy Monday afternoon in mid-August when probably not many were watching. But as this was made by Terence Young (future director of some prolific Bondmovies) I happened to tape it.

What a great surprise this proves to be. Probably about the sole movie account of a (chiefly) British tank battalion journey into France and Belgium after D-Day.

I will admit it's all very "stiff British upperlip" (jolly good show boys and so on)and especially the romance segments have dated badly, but there is a true feel of authenticity, not only that it's made about 4 years after WWII, but the director gives a realistic and almost documentary-like style to the battle scenes.

It all moves along at a brisk pace, and being a bit of WWII buff, it gave me a very rare insight and almost 'behind the scenes' view of a tankbatallion in action in 1944.

I'll doubt if it is available on DVD so you will maybe have to wait till the BBC airs it again, in 10 years or so !