Rent They Who Dare (1954)

2.9 of 5 from 56 ratings
1h 44min
Rent They Who Dare (aka Lewis Milestone's They Who Dare) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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Synopsis:
Set in the Aegean Sea during World War II, 'They Who Dare' recounts the exploits of Britain's Special Boat Squadron. Sent on life-or-death commando missions, the squadron (six English, four Greek) hops from island to island, sabotaging Axis air bases. The impressively staged centrepiece of the film is a bold assignment led by Lt. Graham (Dirk Bogarde) to dynamite German airfields on the island of Rhodes. Veteran director Lewis Milestone insisted that the basis of the film be taken verbatim from the reminisces of the squadron's two survivors.
Alongside the experience of Dirk Bogarde - who had an impressive career in army intelligence during World War II - this lends the film a level of authenticity and depth of characterisation lacking from many other men-on-a-mission movies popular in the 50s.
Actors:
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Directors:
Producers:
Aubrey Baring, Maxwell Setton
Writers:
Robert Westerby
Aka:
Lewis Milestone's They Who Dare
Studio:
Optimum
Genres:
Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama
BBFC:
Release Date:
21/02/2005
Run Time:
104 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
None
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
Colour:
Colour
BBFC:
Release Date:
05/09/2022
Run Time:
108 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.37:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Interview with Military Historian Saul David
  • Stills and Lobby Card Gallery

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Reviews (1) of They Who Dare

British Commandos (spoiler). - They Who Dare review by Steve

Spoiler Alert
29/05/2023

World War II special-ops story directed by Hollywood's military film specialist Lewis Milestone who was in Britain to evade the reach of Joe McCarthy. It is based on a real life raid on German airfields on the island of Rhodes in Greece (but filmed on Crete), and was scripted with the close co-operation of the two survivors, portrayed by Dirk Bogarde and Denholm Elliott.

The film was trashed by the critics and unsuccessful at the box office, but this is an exciting commando film which is plausible and spotlights the bravery of the saboteurs and the sacrifice of the Greek people. Dirk Bogarde plays an ostentatiously flawed leader, who accomplishes his mission, but at great loss of life.

Milestone directs with intelligence and compassion and delivers plenty of suspense too. But the most memorable factor is the location, captured in sumptuous Technicolor. Particularly the deep blues of the Aegean sea and sky. While the film is a little touristic, the heat of the Greek landscape gives the film a rare ambience.

The comic relief is awkward, and minor characters underwritten. One of the Greek pathfinders is a hotheaded stereotype. But this is a thrilling SAS film. There is ambiguity, rather than simple heroism. Some liberties have been taken with the details, but the outline is solid. And crucially, the director conveys a strong impression of what they were fighting for.

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