I’ve watched this film quite a few times through my childhood and teen years, but only once or twice, since! I regard this film as one of the greatest ever war films, and of pure quality from beginnin’ to end! Let me tell you also, the endin’ to this film is quite sublime and beautiful, a great moment! [#toast]
Havin’ said all this, I still do not own it on DVD, i’m ashamed to say! My question is this though, bein’ that I do not have the film for reference, can anyone tell me if a British Quad Gun Tractor was ever used in the film. I totally forget the vehicle they were drivin’ in through the desert, not sure whether it was an ambulance or jus’ a normal truck, or it may have been a Quad Gun Tractor (hopeful), this jus’ goes to show how much my memory has slipped, havin’ seen the film so many times. [:(]
As with all things though, if I had been modelling the WWII genre at the same time as watchin’ the film all those years ago, I most definately would have made a note of the vehicles used! [:D]
One of my favorite films also. Captain Anson (Sir John Mills) and co. were driving an Austin K2/Y heavy ambulance, although it differs from a war time one as it is 4 wheel drive instead of rear wheel only. I don’t recall a Quad FAT being used (maybe in the news reel footage at the start?) but they did use a Humber FWD heavy utility and a Bristol Beaufighter in some scenes, plus US halftracks and an S/P gun (cann’t recall whether it was a Priest or Sexton) standing in for German vehicles.
Bit of movie trivia. For the scene in the bar near the end where Anson downs the beer, they used real beer and as it took several takes John Mills was drunk by the time they got the scene in the can.
Accurate-Armour.com have the Katy in 1/48th & 1/35th… http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?manufacturer=0&category=82&subcategory=251&product=1853 http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?CFID=102083&CFTOKEN=88538439&manufacturer=0&category=14&subcategory=26&product=1572 Airfix also had it in 1/72 as part of their Airfield set. I remember the M3 1/2 tracks as german apc’s, but not any S/P’s… Good film though… John Mills annecdoted that for the final scene in the bar, the only thing that looked & behaved like ice-cold beer… was beer! After 5-6 takes they were totally… p!**@d! Jon UK
"I remember the M3 1/2 tracks as german apc’s, but not any S/P’s… "
It appears during their second encounter with the Germans, right after they’ve buried the nurse shot in the first encounter. You don’t see much, as it remains partialy hidden behind a ridge.
Thanks for the info! [;)]