The Steel Bayonet (1957)

Director:

Michael Carreras

Writer:

Howard Clewes

Stars:

Leo Genn, Kieron Moore, Michael Medwin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leo Genn	...	Maj. Gerrard
Kieron Moore	...	Capt. R.A. Mead
Michael Medwin	...	Lt. Vernon
Robert Brown	...	Sgt. Maj. Gill
Michael Ripper	...	Pvt. Middleditch
John Paul	...	Lt. Col. Derry
Shay Gorman	...	Sgt. Gates
Tom Bowman	...	Sgt. Nicholls
Bernard Horsfall	...	Pvt. Livingstone
John Watson	...	Cpl. Bean
Arthur Lovegrove	...	Pvt. Jarvis
Percy Herbert	...	Pvt. Clark
Paddy Joyce	...	Capt. R.A. Ames
Dave Crowley	...	Pvt. Harris (as David Crowley)
Barry Lowe	...	Pvt. Ferguson

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

battle | bayonet | combat | machine gun | german soldier | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Stålbajonetten

Filming Locations:

Aldershot, Hampshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clarion Films, Hammer Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The War Department were to supply the production with Tanks but this was axed because of the Suez affair.

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Soundtracks

"John Brown's Body"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Leonard Salzedo

User Reviews

Excellent script and performances ***SPOILERS***

Little known and I once heard some reviewer in a movie book, describe it as dull - he's wrong, sorry! A company of British soldiers in WW2 Tunisia with the odd 'paddy' as it were, which would make any British company a good one, is depleted, slightly demoralised and awaiting the final push FROM the Nazi Afrika Corps. Leo Genn plays Major Gerrard leading the company, plus support from the excellent Michael Medwin, especially good as the reluctant Lieutenant Vernon bemoaning his pay AND being upstaged by the faithful Sergeant known as 'Tom' to Genn (Played well by the underestimated Robert Brown).

The unit is tasked with taking over what seems to be an old Foreign Legion fort and using it as an artillery spotting/observation post, with Captain Mead (Kieron Moore) doing the spotting. Of course with him there's a 'Raife' Richardson bit, where he's atop the observation tower, knocking over his water and suffering from sunstroke, though not going blind like Raife in 'The Four Feathers' - I digress anyway! There's plenty of angst, bitching etc., and although the action couldn't be seen to be overdone, it's rightly where it is without being as I say, too much.

The final scene is where the post is overrun, but Genn manages to give the last order on the radio, targeting 'himself' and the men as it's now in Nazi hands could be a little bit corny perhaps, but the dialogue and performances more than make up for this in any way. This is a must, but I'd rate it as good as any war film like 'The Cruel Sea' or 'Ice Cold in Alex' - sadly not shown enough to warrant that, let's hope someone can elevate it to its true status in years to come - just like 'Sea of Sand' too! Some good old British stalwart character actors star the great Percy Herbert and Michael Ripper.