They Were Not Divided (1950)

2nd World War Drama

A huge hit at the box office when it was first released in 1950 for celebrated 'James Bond' director Terence Young, this action-packed World War Two drama follows the experiences of British and American soldiers from D-Day to the final months of the war.

After the success of the Normandy landings, the British Guards Armoured Division sweeps across Europe, taking part in the liberation of Belgium before becoming entangled in the bloody German counter-attack in the Ardennes.

Three soldiers are granted leave and return to their normal lives in England. But before long, they are recalled to duty and find themselves on the most perilous mission they have ever undertaken – a daring reconnaissance mission during the advance on Berlin.

The film begins in a WW II training depot of a British Guards armoured regiment where recruits from many walks of life learn to survive the strict discipline and training together before going into battle in tanks. There is a cameo appearance by the real Sgt. Major Brittain who was famous in the British guards’ regiments.

The life of a Guards officer is paralleled with that of his American friend: they both die on a reconnaissance during the advance on Berlin . . . Odd mixture of barrack-room comedy, semi-documentary action, propaganda and sentimentality. No one questioned it at the box-office though . . . Halliwell’s

3 Stars out of 5

A very young Desmond Llewelyn, Q in the James Bond movies, has a cameo role.