Reach for Glory
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Reach for Glory was a British film adaption of John Rae's 1961 novel, The Custard Boys, directed by Philip Leacock. It received a United Nations Award.
PLOT
A group of young London rogues are evacuated during WW II to a coastal town, where they form a gang and play war games. Too young to fight in the war and afraid it will be over when they come of age, the gang members initiate a battle with the local teenagers. Tomlinson, a troubled local youth, invites an Austrian Jewish refugee to take part in the shenanigans. At first the Jewish boy, Grimm, is scorned because of his Jewish heritage but later allowed to join. When Grimm runs off during a fight, the youths decide to give him a fake court-martial and execution. Real bullets are used by mistake, however, and Grimm is shot and killed. The picture incorporates many heavy issues, including racism and anti-Semitism. Director Leacock, known mainly for his documentary work, seems at ease with the young actors and brings out subtleties in their portrayals. This is not true of the adult performers, however.
CAST & CREW
- Harry Andrews - Capt. Curlew
- Kay Walsh - Mrs. Curlew
- Michael Anderson Jr - Lewis Craig
- Oliver Grimm - Mark Stein
- Martin Tomlinson - John Curlew
- Freddie Eldrett - Willy Aldrich
- James Luck - Michael Freen
- John Coker - Peter Joy
- Michael Trubshawe - Maj. Burton
- Arthur Hewlett - Vicar
- Cameron Hall - Headmaster
- Allan Jeayes - Crabtree
- Richard Vernon - Dr. Aldrich
- Russell Waters - Mr. Freeman
- Pat Hayess - Mrs. Freeman
- George Pravda - Mr. Stein
- John Rae - Lance Freeman
- Alexis Kanner - Steven
- Peter Furnell - Arthur Chettle
- John Pike - Felix
- Melvin Baker - Chettle's Lieutenant
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