The Steel Bayonet

1958 1h 25m EN

😐

5.7

MID

★5.7TMDB · 6

DramaWar

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Tunis, 1943. Battle-weary troops of Company C have orders to occupy a derelict Tunisian farmhouse. They are to establish an artillery observation post, reporting on enemy movements before the imminent offensive to liberate Tunis. However German infantrymen discover their operations. The ensuing battle for control of this small piece of land will decide who controls Tunis but more critically, the victors in the battle of democracy versus fascism.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Leo Genn
Maj. Gerrard
Kieron Moore
Capt. Mead
Michael Medwin
Lt. Vernon
Robert Brown
Sgt. Maj. Gill
Raymond Francis
The General
John Paul
Lt. Col. Derry
Paddy Joyce
Cpl. Ames R.A.
Michael Ripper
Pte. Middleditch

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Michael Carreras
Writers: Howard Clewes
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

85 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

68 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Directed by Michael Carreras, shot by Jack Asher. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Leonard Salzedo. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Bill Lenny shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Leo Genn and Kieron Moore and Michael Medwin carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0051009 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 6 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Michael Carreras directs. Jack Asher behind the camera. Leonard Salzedo scores. Bill Lenny cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

185 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
268 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Directed by Michael Carreras, shot by Jack Asher. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Leonard Salzedo. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Bill Lenny shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Leo Genn and Kieron Moore and Michael Medwin carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0051009 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 6 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Jack Asher
Original score: Leonard Salzedo
Editing: Bill Lenny
Makeup / hair: Philip Leakey
Stunt coordinator: Jock Easton
Runtime: 85 min · 1h 25m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: The Steel Bayonet (1958)

Also by

Michael Carreras

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2022-04-04
★ 6/10
Leo Genn "(Maj. Gerard") is charged with taking what is left of his battle-weary platoon to set up an observation point to keep an eye out for the advancing Nazi forces in North Africa. It's a pretty perilous task - they are woefully outnumbered, but can they thwart the enemy just long enough? A solid supporting cast - Kieron Moore and Michael Medwin are probably the most familiar faces - and some quite tense direction from Michael Carreras keeps this flowing well, building up nicely until an ending that is not quite as you might expect. Fans of the always reliable Genn and of wartime David and Goliath type stories will probably enjoy this - I did.

Production companies