Rent They Who Dare (1954)

British Commandos (spoiler). - They Who Dare review by Steve

World War II special-ops story directed by Hollywood's military film specialist Lewis Milestone who was in Britain to evade the reach of Joe McCarthy. It is based on a real life raid on German airfields on the island of Rhodes in Greece (but filmed on Crete), and was scripted with the close co-operation of the two survivors, portrayed by Dirk Bogarde and Denholm Elliott.

The film was trashed by the critics and unsuccessful at the box office, but this is an exciting commando film which is plausible and spotlights the bravery of the saboteurs and the sacrifice of the Greek people. Dirk Bogarde plays an ostentatiously flawed leader, who accomplishes his mission, but at great loss of life.

Milestone directs with intelligence and compassion and delivers plenty of suspense too. But the most memorable factor is the location, captured in sumptuous Technicolor. Particularly the deep blues of the Aegean sea and sky. While the film is a little touristic, the heat of the Greek landscape gives the film a rare ambience.

The comic relief is awkward, and minor characters underwritten. One of the Greek pathfinders is a hotheaded stereotype. But this is a thrilling SAS film. There is ambiguity, rather than simple heroism. Some liberties have been taken with the details, but the outline is solid. And crucially, the director conveys a strong impression of what they were fighting for.