Jumbajookiba
I have a big soft spot for movies like this, they have an authenticity that modern films about this era don't have. As someone who is from several generations who served in the Military it's nice to see something that is contemporary of WW2 that is not gritty, just realistic. Yes, it may have been made at the time as propaganda, but,it doesn't glamourise or glorify, it attempts to tell you as it is. It even hints at the barrack room language without being able to include it (it is the 1940's after all)David Niven is marvellous in the lead role, he was a serving officer at the time and it shows as you never feel he is acting, the same with the supporting cast of solid British character actors, Stanley Holloway, James Donald, John Laurie (how lovely to see him not playing the dour Scotsman for once) and Leslie Dwyer stand out in particular. And isn't Peter Ustinov terrific in his small role, a taste of things to come with him.Highly recommended.
Spikeopath
The threat of World War II hangs heavy and British civilians are called to basic military training in preparation for combat. Here we follow a very mixed bunch of men indeed, coming from all walks of life and divided by the class system, these men refuse to embrace the army way of life. As the training moves on and the men start to learn their craft, it becomes apparent that they are soon to see action, and sure enough these odd assortment of soldiers are called to finally prove their worth, not only as soldiers, but also as men of equal stature.Essentially a story of how war doesn't discriminate against the classes, Carol Reed's The Way Ahead boasts a fine cast on form and a script of character driven intelligence. Acting as a sort of call to arms to a country under pressure, the picture however now looks incredibly dated unless one can comprehend the time frame the picture deals with. It's well crafted {to be expected with Carol Reed in the directors chair}, and the last quarter, where the walls literally do come tumbling down, is octane effective and closes the film with triumphant might.Enjoyable picture for sure, but really not one to seek out at regular intervals. 6.5/10
Rock Savage
"The Way Ahead" is a wonderful addition to the History of film. I am sure the Director took the material given to him and changed it beyond recognition. What would normally have been a run of the mill propaganda film has in the hands of Carol Reed become a touching and poignant reminder of World War Two.The acting is first class. David Niven adds the Hollywood dash and they're off to war. Surprisingly few people die in this war that Carol Reed is shooting yet he has obviously been given command of most of the British Army stationed in England. As the tanks, armoured cars and men featured are the real deal. The cast are, of course, professional seasoned actors. Quite old some of them.The script co written with Peter Ustinov is intelligent and you do find yourself caring for these drafted men. The final advance is haunting. The battle scene is impressive in it recreation and at points reminded me of the first reel of "Saving Private Ryan". Which only goes to prove that Directors have been shooting great Battle scenes for almost a century.The "Way Ahead" is a good war film yet it has not dispelled a lingering and nagging thought. I have yet to see a war film where the British don't come across as crazy and eccentric.
grahamsj3
I often have to check myself before I rate a film made so long ago. I must remember the technology, the social mores and the wartime atmosphere and societal desperation of the period. Taking all that into account, I can still rate this film no more than so-so. The basic story has been done ad nauseum...that of following a group of soldiers from basic training into their first combat experiences. It's the acting that really hurts this film. There are few known names in this film and even David Niven delivers a poor performance. The soundtrack on the DVD that I purchased was rather muddy, but that may be the result of the age of the master film. I purchased a 3-film DVD and this was one of the films. The first two were pretty good, so the disappointment in this one was tempered by that. Overall, I say it's SO-SO.
AD
