The Way Ahead | David Niven | Classic Drama Movie | British Draftees

The Way Ahead - World W*r II drama that follows a group of British draftees, starting with their rigorous basic training, and ending with their deployment in North Africa.

The Way Ahead (1944)
Director: Carol Reed
Writers: Eric Ambler(original story), Peter Ustinov(screen play)
Stars: David Niven, Stanley Holloway, James Donald
Genre: Drama, War
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English, French, German
Also Known As: The Immortal Battalion
Release Date: 6 June 1944 (UK)
Duration: 114 min
Filming Location: Pirbright Army Camp, Pirbright, Surrey, England, UK

Storyline:
A group of draftees are called up into the infantry during World War II. At first, they appear to be a hopeless bunch, but their Sergeant and Lieutenant have faith in them and mould them into a good team. When they go into action in North Africa, they realize what it's all about.

Reviews:
"This is a film about a seemingly run of the mill sort of group. After the Brits were involved in WWII and saw how bad the going would be, the government was forced to draft men who would traditionally have been exempt. Men who were a bit old or involved with careers that might be deemed 'useful' to the effort were suddenly being called to duty, as times were dire. The beginning of the film shows these men being selected for service.

Unfortunately, this is a rather motley group and they tended to complain quite a bit as well (mostly by Stanley Holloway's character). How they could become a productive unit seemed pretty doubtful and I doubt if such an unimpressive group of men would have been used as actors had this propaganda film been made a few years earlier--when things looked really bad for the British. However, now that the war was appearing win-able, I can understand the choices of actors.

There is nothing particularly magical about any of the film--their selection, their training or their combat experience in North Africa. However, all of it was very well handled and excelled because they tried to make it believable--normal, everyday men rising to the occasion. In many ways, it reminded me of a landlocked version of "In Which We Serve"--with fine acting and writing instead of jingoism and super-human exploits. Very well done.

There are a few interesting actors in the film. Peter Ustinov is in his first film and he plays a French-speaking man. While his French isn't 100% fluid, it was decent and a bit of a surprise. Apparently, he was in real life David Niven's assistant in the British Army and somehow ended up in the film--and thus began his career. Also, Dr. Who fans will appreciate that the Sergeant is played by Dr. #1, William Hartnell.

Also Known As (AKA):
(original title) The Way Ahead
Belgium (Flemish title) De weg die voor ons ligt
Belgium (French title) Le chemin du devoir
Brazil (alternative title) Caminho das Estrelas
Brazil Têmpera de Aço
Canada (English title) The Way Ahead
Czechoslovakia Cesta vpred
Denmark Vejen frem
Finland Kohtalon miehiä
France L'héroïque parade
Greece (transliterated title) O dromos pros ti doxa
Italy La via della gloria
Japan (Japanese title) 最後の突撃（1944）
Netherlands De weg die voor ons ligt
Norway Veien fram
Poland Droga przed nami
Portugal O 7º. de Infantaria
Romania Calea înainte
Soviet Union (Russian title) Путь вперед
Spain Hacia adelante
Sweden Ödets män
Turkey (Turkish title) İleri - Ölmek Var, Dönmek Yok
UK The Way Ahead
USA (cut version) The Immortal Battalion
USA The Way Ahead
West Germany (alternative title) Der Weg nach vorn

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[matthughes]

My dad was a sergeant in the BEF, went over in 1939, evacuated from Dunkirk, the whole bit. Went back to fight through France and Germany, ended up in the occupation army in Hamburg. This is an evocation of his war.

Apart from anything else, I just want to say that by god, Ustinov was a brilliant actor. Even though he was confined to French.

[roses]

David Niven was a great natural actor, love these old movies. Cheers Rosemary Perth Western Australia (71 yrs)

[allandavis]

Today being the 11/11/2022 I wanted to watch something that embodied the early years of WWII in our hour of need, and I couldn’t think of another film that did that, the transformation from angry drafted civilian to a highly trained and motivated fighting force, they truly were the greatest generation. Lest We Forget.

[carmenlottner]

This is exactly the sort of film we used to watch after Sunday lunch.Great!

[thBear]

As a boomer I grew up watching old movies like this. This was my indoctrination to military life watching how WW 2 was fought until I was old enough to join the US Army. Fighting in Vietnam wasn’t exactly the same doncha know! Still I love these WW 2 movies.

[rondecambio]

David Niven a splendid gentleman, great actor and in the war a brave soldier!

[michaelpage]

Incredible film. In 60 years I’ve ever seen this movie and it wasn’t a waste of time. Recommended watching from my point of view.

[adrianrosenlund-hudson]

Lovely to see all those old stars. This film is a work of art, and no mistake.

[Elitist]

I remember seeing Peter Ustinov talk about making this film - 'Col. David Niven, Major Eric Ambler, Captain Carol Reed - and Private Peter Ustinov.'

[trwhitford]

I have watched this flick several times over the years and enjoy it a bit more every Semper Fi

[GG-jwpt]

If those two old boys at the beginning could see old blighty now! God bless 'em!

[TomFynn]

Unlike many Hollywood actors, Niven (who had been at the sharp end) did not regale people with tales of his exploits in WWII. When asked why he said friends of him had asked him to locate the grave of their son, killed during the Battle of he Bulge. He found it. Along with 27000 other graves. He said to himself "David, here are 27000 reasons why after the war you should keep your mouth shut."

[brianlopez]

They are all up for medals for British Understatement and Underdog Pluckyness.
Thanks for posting.

[michael_mouse]

... excellent actors, acting, direction and production... brilliant war movie!

[brianjones]

Amazing the way 6he film just gets better every 10 minutes. Fantastic seeing ustinov in his first role while essentially being the lead writer.

[Echo]

+ Eric Ambler & Peter Ustinov screenplay = Wonderful. Thanks.

[tangonf]

my favourite part begins at 1 hr 37 the sing along in Rispoli's café. It is quite emotional as Nivens character shows that unique feeling you get as a leader for the people under your command, its respect, being part of a great team and yes even love. Its hard to explain you have to experience it, the bond formed in such teams can last a lifetime.

[sandykent]

Long time since I last saw this movie, almost 50 years ago. It was just as good today as the first time I saw it with my father in the mid-sixties and the second time I saw it in 1973 with the girlfriend of the time who really liked David Niven but didn't realize the movie was a war film. My dad told me his basic training was very similar in preparation for Korea as a conscript, and when I joined the Royal Navy in 1970 we didn't have a Sargeant but we did have a Petty Officer screaming at us as we did all the things they did in the movie in basic. The only two differences I remember were that there was a lot less live firing in the barbed wire and they were no longer allowed to hit us when we got things wrong.
I do remember the shower training and how to use the urinals and toilets, about three-quarters of the platoon had never had a shower before and a quarter had never used the flush toilet before, urinals were only in the towns and cities.

[Mediatech]

Almost didn't recognize Peter Ustinov as the cafe owner. A minor role but performed brilliantly.

[tomrosselli]

First saw this movie in 1955 and enjoyed watching it. Brings back old memories when movies were good to watch.