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Red Ball Express

  • 1952
  • Approved
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
728
YOUR RATING
Jeff Chandler, Judith Braun, and Charles Drake in Red Ball Express (1952)
ActionDramaWar

Story of the military truck drivers who kept the Allied armies supplied in Europe during World War II.Story of the military truck drivers who kept the Allied armies supplied in Europe during World War II.Story of the military truck drivers who kept the Allied armies supplied in Europe during World War II.

  • Director
    • Budd Boetticher
  • Writers
    • John Michael Hayes
    • Marcy Klauber
    • William Grady Jr.
  • Stars
    • Jeff Chandler
    • Alex Nicol
    • Charles Drake
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    728
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Budd Boetticher
    • Writers
      • John Michael Hayes
      • Marcy Klauber
      • William Grady Jr.
    • Stars
      • Jeff Chandler
      • Alex Nicol
      • Charles Drake
    • 19User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos12

    Jeff Chandler, Charles Drake, and Alex Nicol in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Sidney Poitier, Jeff Chandler, and Alex Nicol in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Sidney Poitier in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Jeff Chandler in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Red Ball Express (1952)
    Judith Braun and Cindy Garner in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Alex Nicol in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Jacqueline Duval in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Jeff Chandler in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Jeff Chandler, Charles Drake, and Jacqueline Duval in Red Ball Express (1952)
    Jeff Chandler, Judith Braun, and Charles Drake in Red Ball Express (1952)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jeff Chandler
    Jeff Chandler
    • Lt. Chick Campbell
    Alex Nicol
    Alex Nicol
    • Sgt. Red Kallek
    Charles Drake
    Charles Drake
    • Pvt. Ronald Partridge…
    Judith Braun
    • Joyce McClellan
    Sidney Poitier
    Sidney Poitier
    • Cpl. Andrew Robertson
    Jacqueline Duval
    • Antoinette Dubois
    Bubber Johnson
    • Pvt. Taffy Smith
    Davis Roberts
    Davis Roberts
    • Pvt. Dave McCord
    • (as Robert Davis)
    Hugh O'Brian
    Hugh O'Brian
    • Pvt. Wilson
    Frank Chase
    • Pvt. Higgins
    Cindy Garner
    Cindy Garner
    • Kitty Walsh
    Gregg Palmer
    Gregg Palmer
    • Tank Lieutenant
    • (as Palmer Lee)
    John Hudson
    John Hudson
    • Tank Sergeant
    Jack Kelly
    Jack Kelly
    • Heyman
    Howard Petrie
    Howard Petrie
    • Maj. Gen. Lee Gordon
    Douglas Bank
    • Mechanic
    • (uncredited)
    Nan Boardman
    • French Peasant Mother
    • (uncredited)
    Eugene Borden
    • Dubois -- Antoinette's Father
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Budd Boetticher
    • Writers
      • John Michael Hayes
      • Marcy Klauber
      • William Grady Jr.
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      James Edwards was originally cast in the role of Robertson, but was fired during production when he refused to testify before HUAC. He was replaced by Sidney Poitier.
    • Goofs
      The real Red Ball Express operated two separate roads for traffic (one going to the front and one for returning empty) Two-way traffic on a single road, as shown in the film , never occurred.
    • Crazy credits
      No credits besides the title, seven minutes in the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That (2005)

    User reviews19

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    The only Budd Boetticher's war film
    This is not my favourite from Budd Boetticher, not his best either, just a common war flick, but speaking of something rather important for US Army just after D Day for logistics matters, because all the French railway nets were destroyed. It had to be told about, I guess not other film did it. That said the cast is OK, with a convincing Jeff Chandler but not as good as in MERRIL'S MARAUDERS for instance. The real Red Ball Express took many Black soldiers who could not fight in regular troops because of racial segregation in US Army during this period. Yes, this story had to be told, but I guess many things, details have been changed from reality.
    helpful•0
    0
    • searchanddestroy-1
    • Apr 30, 2023

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • August 29, 1952 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Unternehmen 'Rote Teufel'
    • Filming locations
      • Fort Eustis, Newport News, Virginia, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal International Pictures (UI)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 23 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Jeff Chandler, Judith Braun, and Charles Drake in Red Ball Express (1952)
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