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IMDbPro

Paratrooper

Original title: The Red Beret
  • 19531953
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
741
YOUR RATING
Paratrooper (1953)
DramaWar
In 1940, an American claiming to be Canadian volunteers for the British Army's paratroop school.In 1940, an American claiming to be Canadian volunteers for the British Army's paratroop school.In 1940, an American claiming to be Canadian volunteers for the British Army's paratroop school.
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
741
YOUR RATING
    • Terence Young
  • Writers
    • Richard Maibaum(screenplay)
    • Frank S. Nugent(screenplay)
    • Sy Bartlett(screen adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Alan Ladd
    • Leo Genn
    • Susan Stephen
    • Terence Young
  • Writers
    • Richard Maibaum(screenplay)
    • Frank S. Nugent(screenplay)
    • Sy Bartlett(screen adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Alan Ladd
    • Leo Genn
    • Susan Stephen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos22

    Alan Ladd, Stanley Baker, Donald Houston, Michael Kelly, and Susan Stephen in Paratrooper (1953)
    Alan Ladd and Leo Genn in Paratrooper (1953)
    Leo Genn in Paratrooper (1953)
    Alan Ladd in Paratrooper (1953)
    Leo Genn in Paratrooper (1953)
    Paratrooper (1953)
    Paratrooper (1953)
    Paratrooper (1953)
    Paratrooper (1953)
    Leo Genn in Paratrooper (1953)
    Anton Diffring in Paratrooper (1953)
    Susan Stephen in Paratrooper (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Alan Ladd
    Alan Ladd
    • Canada
    Leo Genn
    Leo Genn
    • Major Snow
    Susan Stephen
    Susan Stephen
    • Penny Gardner
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • R.S.M.
    Donald Houston
    Donald Houston
    • Taffy
    Anthony Bushell
    Anthony Bushell
    • General Whiting
    Patric Doonan
    • Flash
    Stanley Baker
    Stanley Baker
    • Breton
    Lana Morris
    Lana Morris
    • Pinky
    Tim Turner
    Tim Turner
    • Rupert
    Michael Kelly
    • Dawes
    Anton Diffring
    Anton Diffring
    • The Pole
    Thomas Heathcote
    Thomas Heathcote
    • Alf
    Carl Duering
    Carl Duering
    • Rossi
    John Boxer
    • Flight Sgt. Box
    Harry Locke
    • Medical Orderly
    Michael Balfour
    Michael Balfour
    • American Sergeant
    Guido Lorraine
    • German Officer
      • Terence Young
    • Writers
      • Richard Maibaum(screenplay)
      • Frank S. Nugent(screenplay)
      • Sy Bartlett(screen adaptation)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Stanley Baker is dubbed.
    • 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. The serial appears as "TG602". TG602 was an RAF Handley Page Hastings C1, the standard RAF Transport Command aircraft used for para dropping and current at RAF Abingdon, in 1952-1953. RAF Hastings served at that time in a natural aluminum finish. The filming of this particular aircraft occurred prior to 12 January 1953, which is when it was lost in an accident in Egypt.
    • Quotes

      R.S.M.: I'm sorry for the man who hears the pipes, and who wisnae born in Scotland.

    • Connections
      Featured in Everything or Nothing (2012)
    • 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 reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    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.
    helpful•32
    1
    • Piafredux
    • Jul 17, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 1953 (Japan)
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • RAF Abingdon Parachute School, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Warwick Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 28 minutes

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