Their Finest Hour: 5 British WWII Classics

Went The Day Well? (1942)

World War II suspense thriller follows a squad of disguised German soldiers who train to pose as British citizens in order to infiltrate a small English town. Based on the Graham Greene short story "The Lieutenant Died Last," this gripping and inspiring film stars Leslie Banks, Basil Sydney, and Valerie Taylor. 92 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Colditz Story (1955)

A group of Allied POWs plans a coordinated breakout from a castle that the Nazis have turned into a supposedly "escape-proof" prison after several attempts fail due to a lack of communication between prisoners of different nationalities. Based on Pat Reid’s novel--itself inspired by the author’s experience at Colditz Castle--this exciting drama stars John Mills as British officer Reid, along with Eric Portman, Frederick Valk, Denis Shaw, and Lionel Jeffries. 97 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Dam Busters (1955)

Thrilling British WWII drama, directed by Michael Anderson from two non-fiction books, follows a scientist who comes up with a way to use "bouncing bombs" to destroy a series of German dams vital to the Nazi war effort, as well as the RAF crew charged with carrying out the dangerous mission. Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Basil Sydney, Ursula Jeans star; look quickly for Robert Shaw and Patrick McGoohan. 124 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Dunkirk (1958)

His lieutenant killed, British soldier Cpl. "Tubby" Binns (John Mills) must lead what’s left of his unit to Dunkirk in order to be evacuated along with British and French forces following the Battle of France in May of 1940. Assisting in that daring rescue attempt were many civilian boaters, including reporter Charles Foreman (Bernard Lee) and buckle manufacturer John Holden (Richard Attenborough). Robert Urquhart, Ray Jackson also star in this engaging wartime actioner. 135 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Ice Cold In Alex (1958)

Two British soldiers (John Mills, Harry Andrews) and two nurses (Sylvia Syms, Diane Clare) are separated from the rest of their group during an evacuation across the scorching North African desert. Continuing towards Alexandria, Egypt, in their ambulance, they take on unexpected passenger in a South African officer (Anthony Quayle), but soon begin to suspect he may a German spy. Offbeat World War II drama co-stars Richard Leech, Liam Redmond. 124 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Standard/Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; documentaries; more.