Paratrooper (1953)
"The Red Beret" (original title)

Alan Ladd is the focus of this story based on the wartime raid on the German radar station at Bruneval. The raid was a combined services operation and the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Parachute... See full summary »

Director:

Terence Young

Writers:

Richard Maibaum (screenplay), Frank S. Nugent (screenplay),

Stars:

Alan Ladd, Leo Genn, Susan Stephen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Ladd	...	Steve 'Canada' McKendrick
Leo Genn	...	Major J. Snow
Susan Stephen	...	Penny Gardner
Harry Andrews	...	R.S.M. Cameron
Donald Houston	...	Taffy Evans
Anthony Bushell	...	Major General A.B.C. Whiting
Patric Doonan	...	Flash
Stanley Baker	...	Sergeant Breton
Lana Morris	...	Pinky
Tim Turner	...	Rupert
Michael Kelly	...	Corporal Dawes
Anton Diffring	...	The Pole
Thomas Heathcote	...	Alf
Carl Duering	...	Rossi
John Boxer	...	Flight Sgt. Box

Storyline

Alan Ladd is the focus of this story based on the wartime raid on the German radar station at Bruneval. The raid was a combined services operation and the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Parachute Brigade was led by Major 'John Frost' (Major Snow). An RAF radar expert, Flight Sergeant C.W.H. Cox (Sergeant Box) accompanied the raiders to tell them what to take back to England.

---

Plot Keywords:

paratrooper | world war two | based on novel

---

Genres:

Drama | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1953 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Paratrooper

Filming Locations:

RAF Abingdon Parachute School, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Warwick Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film of Carl Duering.

---

Goofs

Right before the raid on the airfield at Bone, some of the paratroops bolt for a taxiing DC-3 and, without official authorization, climb aboard, so as not to miss their chance to take part in the airborne assault. This DC-3 has distinctive side markings, including a very visible "602" on the tail. Yet, when these same paratroops jump from this same plane, the side markings are now completely different, not the least of which is the total absence of the "602" tail number.

---

Connections

Referenced in Cubby Broccoli: The Man Behind Bond (2000)

---

Soundtracks

"Red River Valley"
(uncredited)
Traditional, lyrics modified as a parachutists' song
Sung on the pub, and whistled and hummed throughout the film as a theme

User Reviews

Somehow One of My Favorites

Somehow 'The Red Beret,' by no measure a fine film, remains one of my sentimental favorites, perhaps because in my teens it aired often on late night TV, under its U.S. title 'Paratrooper.' Alan Ladd, even when he wasn't acting, appeared as the sexy strong stoical silent type, and here he again fills that bill. I also love this film because it's one of the many that carved out for Harry Andrews his reputation for playing tough-tender sergeants and sergeant majors; in 'The Red Beret' his last-words line, "Pity the man who hears the pipes and was na born in Scotland," has stuck pleasantly with me into my sixth decade; he also gives a lovely little take when the red berets are issued to him and his men and his character must part with his beloved regimental headgear. Also very sexy here, in his own astute, urbane way - quite different from Ladd's, is Leo Genn (who, in my experience, never gave a poor screen performance, and who was very good as the psychiatrist in 'The Snake Pit' and as Mr. Starbuck in John Huston's adaptation of 'Moby Dick'). Pert, pretty Susan Stephen - in a curls-and-frizz hairdo that was fifteen years ahead of its time! - doesn't act very well here, but I still find her effort affecting as Ladd's character's love interest.

I suppose my affection for 'The Red Beret' is one more proof that "There's no accounting for taste." Which helps to explain, if not to excuse, most of the rubbish studios churn out nowadays for uncritical mass consumption. I wish 'The Red Beret' would release on disc so that once, and many times over, in the wee hours I could snuggle down on the sofa and enjoy it as I did when I was a teenager.