During WW2 in North Africa, an American sergeant serving with the British 8th Army is captured by the Germans but he hatches various plans of escape from the POW camp.During WW2 in North Africa, an American sergeant serving with the British 8th Army is captured by the Germans but he hatches various plans of escape from the POW camp.During WW2 in North Africa, an American sergeant serving with the British 8th Army is captured by the Germans but he hatches various plans of escape from the POW camp.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe proper British title for this British film is "No Time To Die"; it was shown under that title in the UK in the late 1950s. However, 21st-century showings of the film on British television have reverted to its American release title of "Tank Force".
- GoofsWhen the escaped prisoners attack the two German tanks, one uses a machine gun taken from a half track. As he attacks the Germans, the sound of the machine gun firing is clearly heard. However, the weapon lacks an ammunition belt and is therefore not loaded. Further, there is no muzzle flash when it is supposed to be firing.
- Quotes
Sgt. David H. Thatcher: He's not worth saving, not even for THAT!
- Crazy credits"To the War Office. The Royal Armoured Corps and The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) who made possible the tank sequence. We extend our grateful thanks."
- Alternate versionsThe American and British versions of the film had different running times clocking in at 86 minutes and 103 minutes respectively. This was a difference of about seventeen minutes with the English print being longer than the one Stateside.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Terence Young: Bond Vivant (2000)
- SoundtracksWaltzing Matilda
Original music by Christina McPherson (uncredited), revised music by Marie Cowan (uncredited) and lyrics by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson (as Banjo Paterson)
Featured review
Victor Mature Vs. The Africa Corps
A British tank unit is captured in the dark days of the North African campaign of the Second World War, including sketchy (by British standards) Victor Mature. He's there because his Jewish wife was killed by Nazis, so he tried to kill Goebbels. Also because they needed an American star for this British production to satisfy Columbia Pictures. Anyway, they escape and wander around Lybia.
Terence Young's movie is a disturbing mixture of standard tropes from POW movies, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, and bits that I have only noticed in THE GREAT ESCAPE. Perhaps they were stories floating around, perhaps the screenwriters (including Young) had read the memoirs, and perhaps Young was drawing on his own wartime experience, as he did with his earlier THEY WERE NOT DIVIDED. The mixture of cliches and oddities gives the movie and interesting but erratic pacing. Certainly the actors, including Leo Genn and Anthony Newly help, as does the brilliant on-site Technicolor camerawork by Ted Moore.
Terence Young's movie is a disturbing mixture of standard tropes from POW movies, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, and bits that I have only noticed in THE GREAT ESCAPE. Perhaps they were stories floating around, perhaps the screenwriters (including Young) had read the memoirs, and perhaps Young was drawing on his own wartime experience, as he did with his earlier THEY WERE NOT DIVIDED. The mixture of cliches and oddities gives the movie and interesting but erratic pacing. Certainly the actors, including Leo Genn and Anthony Newly help, as does the brilliant on-site Technicolor camerawork by Ted Moore.
helpful•72
- boblipton
- Jun 27, 2019
Details
- Runtime1 hour 26 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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