The Steel Bayonet (1957)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Michael Carreras

Writer:

Howard Clewes (writer)

Release Date:

February 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot Keywords:

WWII

Cast

Leo Genn	...	Maj. Gerrard
Kieron Moore	...	Capt. 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	...	Jarvis
Percy Herbert	...	Clark
Paddy Joyce	...	Ames
Dave Crowley	...	Harris (as David Crowley)
Barry Lowe	...	Ferguson
Michael Balfour	...	Thomas
Michael Dear	...	Tweedle
Raymond Francis	...	General
Ian Whittaker	...	Wilson
Anthony Warren	...	Wounded German
Rolf Carston	...	German Sergeant
Garard Green	...	German Company Commander
Wolf Frees	...	German Staff Officer
Jeremy Longhurst	...	German Sniper
David Ritch	...	Mahomet
Abdul Noor	...	Arab
Victor Platt	...	Sentry
John Trevor	...	Captain
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Caine	...	Bit Part (uncredited)

Directed by
Michael Carreras

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Howard Clewes		writer

Produced by
Michael Carreras	....	producer
Anthony Nelson Keys	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Leonard Salzedo

Cinematography by
Jack Asher

Film Editing by
Bill Lenny

Art Direction by
Ted Marshall

Stunts
Joe Powell	....	stunts (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Molly Arbuthnot	....	wardrobe

Music Department
John Hollingsworth	....	musical director

Other crew
Renée Glynne	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• Hammer Film Productions

Distributors

• United Artists Corporation (1957) (UK) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1958) (USA) (theatrical)

Runtime:

UK:85 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Trivia:

In 1958, United Artists released this film in the USA on a double bill with Fort Massacre (1958).

Excellent script and performances ***SPOILERS***

*** This comment may contain 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.