Reviews

Many films have ambiguous titles, but why "Seven Thunders"? Was this the title of the book from which this film was derived? Can anyone explain? Did I miss something in this slow and ponderous film? The whole storyline did not ring true. Where were the escapees going to from Marseilles? Spain would seem the obvious choice. Was this in fact an actual escape route for Allied POWs from Italy? The film was interesting from the fact that a lot of it was shot on location, but overall it was a very disappointing use of a talented cast! Interesting to see Stephen Boyd in an early screen role. Sad that his career appeared to peter out and that he died young.

I have to agree this movie is more than "twaddle", it's a "load of tripe" to coin a North West England phrase!! I cannot imagine that it was ever shown North of the Watford Gap!! It would have been laughed off the screen in Manchester.

I would think that all involved with this film would have been extremely embarrassed by the end product.

Most of the character actors, Marjorie Rhodes, Stanley Holloway etc performed well but were let down by the silly pointless script, and amateurish Hermans Hermits.

A film for insomniacs!!

Thanks for all the excellent reviews of this film. I remember seeing this film as a 10 year old. It is very much in the vein of " The Red Balloon", another film of childhood and innocence. I think it is high time it was released on video. A lost cinematic gem! I was really impressed by the documentary feel of the film, and the London locations. I lived in Manchester as a child and once saw a part of the film "Hell Is A City" being filmed. That film also had real locations, and sadly most of those locations have disappeared in the last half century. Films such as "The Boy And The Bridge" are real social and historic documents and should be more widely available. Another film in a similar vein would be Carol Reeds " A Kid For Two Farthings"

I have just watched this film, 46 years after its release. The film was shown on Classic Silver Screen, and unfortunately the print was of poor quality. I can imagine that Freddie Youngs photography would be stunning in a good quality print! Overall I would rate the film as average fare. Was this film or the original book based on factual events? I hate to be a "nit-picker", but at the beginning we see a helicopter with loudspeaker telling the rebels that the war with the Japanese is over. Now, I know early helicopters were used by the Allies in small numbers late in World War Two. But in a remote area such as Malaya? Anacronistic I would think! Also the aircraft was a Bristol Sycamore, not designed until the 50s!! This helicopter thing also happens in "Where Eagles Dare". Don't film researchers do there homework? Or do they include such "gaffs" just to p**s off "nit-pickers" like me!!