The Way Ahead - is a British Second World War drama film directed by Carol Reed. The screenplay was written by Eric Ambler and Peter Ustinov. The film stars David Niven, Stanley Holloway and William Hartnell along with an ensemble cast of other British actors, including Ustinov in one of his earliest roles. The Way Ahead follows a group of civilians who are conscripted into the British Army and, after training, are shipped to North Africa where they are involved in a battle against the Afrika Korps.
It traces their enlistment from conscription through training until they fight a battle against the Afrika Korps. Niven was already a qualified officer having been commissioned in 1930 before going to Hollywood. Here he plays a newly commissioned officer commanding his first platoon with a regular NCO at his side with a platoon of new recruits. Fletcher, the Sergeant meets the men first on a train platform in a station tea room where one, drunk spills his tea on him. Based on a previous film that was made for the Army, called "The New Lot" it uses some of the same actors and scenes including notably John Laurie of Dad's Army fame. Fletcher doesn't hold it against them, despite their imaginings. Anyway, Fletcher actually likes them and recommends one, Lloyd for promotion to corporal. Before that can happen though, Lloyd shames himself during an exercise when he exposes himself in order to be "killed" and get out of more work. Perry realises what has happened and points out that they have inherited a history on their cap badges with the unit's battle honours on it. They realise their mistake and work harder.
The first they hear about going overseas to battle is when they board ship. On their journey they are torpedoed and their ship sunk, with Fletcher being trapped below decks by shifting cargo. They rescue him and go ashore in French North Africa where they encounter Rispoli, a local cafe owner who is initially hostile to their presence. They draw him out by introducing him to darts which he excels at. The Germans then attack. They repel the initial attack but are force to withdraw to the village to take shelter. Rispoli despite his protests that he is a pacifist helps by putting alcohol in a Vickers gun that has run dry. Here we see them properly using a Vickers gun, a 6 Pdr, and all their weapons. They finally repulse the Germans, advancing into some smoke with the comment that this the beginning, rather than the end. The final scene is remade at the end of each episode of Dad's Army when the Home Guard advance. A good movie, well worth watching, 10 out 10.
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