I was privileged to meet Captain Todd at a function in 1990. He was an absolute gentleman, humbly greeting all of us with a humour and grace missing in so many top stars. They say never meet your heroes but this man made it a pleasure. 🇬🇧🏴
I've had the good fortune of meeting a few of my own heros, and have yet to be disappointed. I would recommend people disregard that "don't meet them" advice and take the opportunity when it presents itself.
He was playing a colonel in the oxs and bucks L.I. which became the 1st battalion of the Royal green jackets . It is one of our proudest battle honours not the parachute regt 😮
Back in the 80s Richard Todd, was appearing in a play at the long gone Mayfair theatre,When he arrived in a taxi,The doorman an ex para, in full top hat and livery coat would open the door and salute him.that was the respect that was shown to this brave solider
As a Veteran myself I love these films because they wear their uniforms and berets correctly. A smart salute is amazing to see. Aldershot misses Airborne Forces. I am an old lady now but the Para smocks and cherry berets were a sight to behold.
I was just going to say the same thing Ma'am. Aldershot born & bred, ex-St Mick's Secondary Modern (and Primary when it was the Nats on the High Street!... Now flats) and joined the Army (when we had one) at 15 years of age after as a kid watching my dad & grandad (an Old Contemptible, who was RO of the RE Stores down Queen's Avenue and lived in Steele's Road before it was all wired off.) ....march up Wellington Avenue before it was a Tesco Car Park. I weep for the town now. I was delivery boy before that at J Salter & Son nipping up and down to the Post Office to dispatch the polo sticks we made to all corners of the globe. I can even recall the vandalism of destroying the old Cavalry Barracks and putting up those awful prefab units. The only thing left is Edgar Jerome. The lot has been trashed.
@@johnbobson1557 I know everything you have hi-lighted. I also remember Airborne Forces day and the Army show in the Aldershot stadium. Now we have a Defence Force not an Army. I remember picking up my son from Sth Farnborough Infants and after school his treat was eating a sandwich whilst watching the Paras doing balloon jumps. I also used to run in the Para 10. I haven’t been to the shopping centre for years but do attend the new health centre. Worst decision was to sell of The Cambridge Military Hospital.
@@DavidJarrold-e7j I need to do your research more thoroughly 6th airborne div was specially formed for the assault on d day and particularly ,the assault on Pegasus bridge. Ox and bucks was the forerunner of my old regt RGJ specifically the 1st battalion . As it's a named battle honour on our cap badge ,!!!
Richard Todd told an interviewer that the hardest scene he ever had to film in his whole career was the final conversation between Guy Gibson and Barnes Wallace, where he passed on getting coffee, saying he had some letters to write. He knew exactly what that meant!
That scene breaks my heart. It brings home the human cost of the mission, and of just one Lancaster not making it back to Scampton, but also of the weight that fell on Gibson's shoulders.
When I was a young boy, Richard Todd was my hero. Of all the films I watched in my early years, the Dam Busters is the one I recall the most. RIP Mr. Todd.
I'm in my 70s and a brit army veteran, I also loved Richard Todd films, in fact I loved all those films including reach for the sky about Douglas Badder, I didnt realise how time has flown, I one heard how the days drag but the years fly by.
@@bruceboome I am old enough to be so very patriotic and proud of my country and its history. I spent 11 years joined at age 15 I was in junior leaders , spent 11 years in the Army.
@@andyyoung5972 I have seen a version on TV recently where the dogs name was used with out any censor ship.. I was quite surprised at that but pleased as well. I also saw an article in the Telegraph where they also refferred to the raid as 'infamous' and I commented strongly against the use of the word.
When you watch an old war film with Richard Todd, David Niven, Lee Marvin or other actors who saw real action it gives it credibility because you know these guys have been there.
Can i put in a mention for James Stewart, who served in the US air force and flew combat missions over germany. He could have easily stayed at home, but was willing to serve and put his neck on the line.
I often wonder if lead actors like Gregory Peck felt intimidated playing action characters when their supporting roles were filled by men who'd been there and done that in what we now call SF. Imagine playing a role with Richard Todd or Lee Marvin who was a Scout Sniper, David Niven, a Cdo, Christopher Lee who was in the SOE from the RAF and the list goes. on.
I've seen the movie so many times and always appreciated Richard Todd's performance - "hold until relieved" - but never was aware of his actual participation in the Pegasus bridge assault - amazing - thanks for this back story.
He didn't actually participate in the assault itself. The reinforced company commanded by Maj Howard (GLIDER borne troops) had already taken the bridges. Todd was part of the PARA dropped reinforcement.
His role in The Longest Day must have brought back some traumatic memories for him. Imagine playing the part of someone you knew, in a battle that you were actually part of.
A brave patriot and a great actor. My heart went out to him when he lost both his sons to suicide. I know it caused him a lot of pain. I hope all three are at peace.
I made a pilgrimage to the graves of Richard Todd & his 2 sons. It was very poignant. While he was still alive, we drove through Little Humby where he lived & saw him at his desk. The cottage was by the roadside & there he was by the window.
Chris, I will tell you my Dad was on Omaha 6/06/44 with the 1st. Infantry Division. He was awarded , The Bronze Star with 'V' for valor, for his actions that day. God Bless them all...
Jeffsmith2022 Was talking with a man who was a. 17 year old RN rating on one of the ships who took the Americans to Omaha, and he said he would not hear a. word said against the young GI's, young hero's who were slaughtered wholesale. Thank you. yanks. O
An interesting aside in the film, 'The Longest Day', was when Major Howard (played by Richard Todd) actually gave an order to 'Lieutenant Todd'. Next time you watch the film, look out for this scene.
He turned heads as an older immaculate gent in a tweed 3 piece suit striding through Kings Cross to get the train home. I saw him a couple of times, always smiled.
Mr.Todd narrates on Dulcimer's 1971 album, "And I turned, as I had when a boy". The original album is now worth a lot. One can buy the reissue on vinyl and CD. My late father was on channel patrol on D-Day with the RN. He never spoke about what he saw through the high-powered binoculars on those dreadful beaches.
A good few years ago, I remember Richard Todd being interviewed on Radio by Aasmah Mir, an Asian heritage presenter on one of the Anniversaries of D-Day. I think he was in a care home at the time, but he was brilliant, " What was it like parachuting into Normandy ", " Well, it was jolly windy, and we just did the job we were trained for ", he was the epitome of a modest English gentleman ... on thanking Todd at the end of the interview, she just said to her co-presenter, Peter Allan, " I think I'm a little bit in love with Richard Todd " .... two British people from totally different backgrounds ... it was a lovely piece of radio !
A fantastic story you tell, please keep up all the good work. As a 25 years service veteran we must not forget all the young people who paid the price for us..
My uncle Harry was the second man off his landing craft on D-Day. He was an army cook…he laughed about it all his life. My uncle Ray (the good old days when an uncle could be a family friend), was the first man off his landing craft. Our dear friend Ian Christie RCN, was IC of a landing craft on D-Day, he landed the Hamilton Light Infantry under heavy fire in the first wave. Richard Todd...great actor and man.
Thanks for running this special. I've always enjoyed Todd's acting, particularly in the Disney live action ROBIN HOOD. One of his best roles is forgotten. Danny Thomas had a great but short-lived anthology series in the 1960's, wherein Tood played a Nazi hunter, using an old Nazi's daughter (Olivia DeHavaland) as bait. The old Nazi (Alfred Ryder) takes the bait, and is quickly caught. He asks Tood, "I must know. Are you a Jew?" Todd answers: "It doesn't matter. The crime was against all of us."
I am 71 years old right now so when I was young there were so many WWII veterans that I would run into them all the time. My father would tell me that so and so was in Patton's 3rd Army or that so and so was on a destroyer in the Pacific. Now we have only a handful left. When I think of their sacrifice it brings tears to my eyes that we can never adequately thank these people for what they did for us, what they did for the world. I am so proud of each and every one of them whether they be from the US, Canada, Britain, France, Poland.......or the myriad nations that took part in the Allied cause. I want them to know that I thank them and think about them often, very often and when I am traveling abroad I do try to see some of the places where they fought and to the cemeteries where they rest. God bless them.
Superb documentary 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😊👍👍 Richard Todd was one of my favorite actors growing up in England, handsome, a great voice and remarkable top actor on stage and in film….as well….as a WWII hero too….may he…and his fallen comrades rest in peace 😔
My best friend and I were huge fans of Richard Todd when we were in our early teens, and watched as many of his films as we could! We loved the fact that he was a genuine war hero!
Well, Connery was the 8th choice after James Mason, Rod Taylor, Cary Grant, Peter Lawford, Richard Burton, Richard Johnson and Patrick McGoohan turned down offers for Dr No. Stanley Baker was interested but wouldn't commit to a 3 picture deal. Todd was considered but not offered a deal.
Once again you outshine all the others with a fascinating story, well told and with style. Knew RT as an actor from the movies but never knew that he was actually a soldier and not only a soldier but one of the tougher ones. As a veteran of the US Army, I met men who were in American units like the British ones. They were really tough guys. My father was a US Army tanker in the war told me how he fought alongside British troops and about his stay in England before D-Day. All those men were men of "The Greatest Generation." Never forget!
The Pine and Coffin families date back a long way. One came over with William the Conqueror while the other family was on King Harold's side. One of the officers who served under Pine-Coffin was a captain by the name of blood. Imagine, as one young lieutenant did, that your immediate superior officer was called Blood and above him was a man by the name of Pine-Coffin. As it happened he and the rest of his glider troops got through the D-Day with barely a scratch.
I live on land that was once owned by the Pine-Pine Coffin family here near Bideford. The land they owned was vast back in the day. The Portledge where they lived is huge as is the house. All very private and the owners now are also very international and mysterious.
Richard Todd was amazing and he deserves more credit for his service to our country and his acting was top notch also, his films are excellent and he portrays his characters perfectly and always leaves you with a deeper thought about what you have seen. One of the very best.
What a courageous man ,I wonder if we could muster such men again in time of need,I somehow doubt it. As a 22 year old I spent the summer in the Normandy in 1976, in a farm in the countryside. I used to go for a run every morning & chanced on a British war cemetery,commonwealth I'm pretty sure they are called & there were two groundsman maintaining the place, but to my surprise they were both British who had married local French women & stayed on after the war. The truly sad thing is when you read the names, is how young these men were, my age (at that time) & younger. So many who never lived a life ,never got older, never had a family or grandchildren, that's truly sad & I believe the world & Britain especially a poorer place for their loss. We should all pray for the cessation of war in present day Europe, "blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God", as the good book tells us.
Do not doubt we can muster such men, and women these days. I have seen young men and women enlisting at a time where they were better than 90% chance of going into harms way. I spent a memorable chunk of time in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) with those men and women.
@@BeardedChieftain it's good to know, thanks for sharing that, we, the public, owe a debt of gratitude to these brave souls & all they do, I think we are all very proud of our armed forces & they often get the job done in spite of the difficultys presented to them, the most truly distressing part is how little support these people are given after serving, king & country.
I watch 'The Longest Day' every 6th of June. This was a great video. I've seen an interview with Richard Todd in which he described his misgivings about portraying Major Howard. He was not at all sure that he should do so, but the producers specifically wanted him because he had actually been there on D-day..
Funny, I'm an American, and do the same on Jun 6th every year. Now, I have the DVD, but years back, I had the VHS tape. One of my Uncles took part in the European Theatre, his younger brother, went to the Pacific.
I've been to Pegasus Bridge a couple of times when in this area to visit my uncle's grave a few kilometres south at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery (Captain George Stewart of the Gordon Highlanders). He was one of many who died in the brutal battles around Caen which gradually wore down the German defences over a month or so and opened the way for the American armoured punch which swept round from the West, trapping the enemy in the Falaise Pocket between them and the British and Canadians to the North. It always amazes me how the lightly armed airborne troops and Paras were able to stand-off the counterattacking forces until they were relieved. The Bridge and the landing sites are still very much intact and one shudders to see how little cover they had for the hours until the first of the beachhead troops arrived. If you are ever anywhere near that area of Normandy, it is well worth a visit and the local people are always welcoming. I plan to return within the next couple of years before I start running out of steam and the stupidity of Brexit makes me too poor. Equally, if your up in Scotland, Dundee - where Richard Todd learned much about his craft at Dundee Rep (the picture is the 'new' Rep which opened in 1982) - is well worth a visit. It's been my home town since 1969 and besides the Rep is home to the V&A Dundee, Royal Research Ship Discovery (Scott of the Antarctic) and its museum and visitor centre, HMS Unicorn (frigate of 1824) with many other attractions in the neighbourhood (Glamis Castle, St Andrews, Arbroath, numberless golf courses, beautiful glens and mountains etc etc!) I wonder if I'll get fees from the Scottish and Normandy Tourist Boards?
I re-watched The Longest Day on June 6, 2023 to remember their sacrifices and knew that Richard Todd was a veteran there but never knew the full back story. Thanks so much, great history channel!
Quite a few of the actors were veterans. Richard Todd was not the only one who was there. In the scene where the Rangers are setting up to scale the cliffs at Point du Hoc, there is a fairly muscular blond lad struggling with the grappling hook then the scaling the cliff; I believe his name was Joseph Lowe and he played himself, a U.S. Ranger scaling the cliffs at Point du Hoc.
What a guy!!! was never really that keen on watching him but now I have a clearer view of his spirit and courage I will watch with a new respect, thanks so much for this epic doco.
A brave Para, a great actor and a very well related story of supreme heroism. I am always amazed at Lord Lovat''s insouciance as he strolled across the bridge with his bagpipe-playing piper - what an example of the stiff uppper lip! A video of Lord Lovat would be good, Chris!
@@TheHistoryChap he a hero he deserves a lot of respect...he protected our future by allowing bullets to penetrate his skin... All soldiers are heroes and deserve to be heard. God bless ❤️
Remarkable story. In the 1962 film The Longest Day, there was a memorable scene when the relief force that Major Howard and his men were expecting at Pegasus Bridge, came in from Sword Beach in the fearless form of Lord Lovat with his commandos and piper Bill Millen playing Highland Laddie amidst German artillery shelling exploding around them. When Howard met and shook hands with Lovat, Lovat greeted him with-Sorry I’m late olde boy!!…with such reassuring and inspiring nonchalance. Perhaps, you’d consider doing a story on Lord Lovat and piper Bill Millen. Really enjoy and appreciate your channel with its fascinating content.
@@TheHistoryChap the story of the ancestry of Lord Lovat is quite fascinating. The Lord Lovat of Normandy fame was the 15th of his lineage to carry the peerage of chief of the highland Clan of Fraser of Lovat. Ironically, his 18th century ancestor, Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat known as the Old Fox was executed by the Hanoverian Crown in 1847 for supporting the Jacobite rebellion of Bonnie Prince Charlie that ended at the Battle of Culloden. The Old Fox character was featured in the popular Outlander tv series. Quite a redemption from traitor to heroic military service for this peerage.
@@briandubois-gilbert8182 Brigadier Simon "Shimi" Christopher Joseph Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, 4th Baron Lovat, DSO, MC, TD, JP, DL (aka MacShimidh or "The Fraser", 25th Chieftain of the Fraser Clan) was also Sir Archibald David Stirling DSO OBE's first cousin. Both served in the Scots Guards and then both went to Cdo's. Two hard, if colourful, characters.
Lord Lovat, was actually violating policy by bringing his piper, Bill Millen, on the invasion. Due to the high casualty rate among the Pipers in the Great War, a policy was adopted by the Military, of not putting the Pipers in harms way, as they were unarmed. They were to remain in the rear. Bill Millen, a Canadian, was an incredibly brave man. Going into battle armed only with a set of pipes and his sgian dbu in his hose top, wore his father's kilt in Cameron Tartan. The same kilt his father had worn as a piper in Flanders during the Great War. Millen and Lovat had first met in Commando Training. Lovat immediately appointed him his personal piper after hearing Millen play. Millen, honored his Chief, by piping at Lovat's funeral in 1995. Sadly, Piper Bill passed away in 2023.
Thanks for another great tale, Chris. Richard Todd was a wonderful actor. I saw him on stage once, as the crotchety old Lord Caversham in Oscar Wilde's 'An Ideal Husband' in the mid-90s and he was very funny. As an aside, I have the unusual distinction if having met both Bill Millin "The D-Day Piper" and Pipe-Major Leslie de Laspey who played him in The Longest Day. Bill Millin retired to Dawlish in Devon, near where I grew up, and was a regular on the circuit, talking to school children about his experiences. Leslie de Laspey had been the personal piper to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and retired to my village, where he would pipe in the Revel Queen at our annual fair, in full highland dress. He also taught us school children scottish reeling, and was quite the task master!
My mother was a fan of Richard Todd. As far as I know no family were part of the landings. My old man was in the far east servicing RAF B24s and Uncle Vernon was wounded at Monte Casino and finished the war in Yugoslavia
My god this story makes me so proud to be British. Normal men doing heroic and amazing things, bravery beyond imagination which we should be forever grateful. Lest we forget indeed. Thanks for sharing.
G'day Chris, Thank you so much for this engrossing story on Richard Todd's military career in WW2. I'm ex-RAAF and from the time of my enlistment, I became fascinated by military history; first of the RAAF and then over the years I developed my specialty subject, WW2. I became a journalist and after I retired from that I took the plunge into university as a mature-age student to become a military historian. I've been aware of Richard Todd's exploits in WW2 because, as you said, so many British and American actors, directors and screenwriters etc. actually went to war. Here my journalism work as a film and TV critic/reviewer and military history, happily overlapped. Apart from Richard Todd, one of my other all-time favourite British actors, David Niven had an interesting time in uniform which he, typically, played down in humorous stories 'against' himself. One of the 'stringing' jobs I had was to cover the Cannes film festival each year. In the mid-90s I, literally, bumped into Christopher Lee as he was coming out of a shop, not far from the Petit Carlton. I'm not a small bloke and Mr Lee, then was quite my senior, but he nearly knocked me over, he being 6'4" or thereabouts. He was so genuinely apologetic; although it was due to my haste that probably caused our collision. Being a film journalist, I simply couldn't pass up my opportunity so, I asked him for an interview. He politely declined, saying he was only in Cannes for a few days but had a luncheon appointment, he suggested we repair to the Petit Carlton for a drink. I spent, in total, about 40 of the most fascinating minutes of my life talking with a true star of so many interesting films where he didn't have to wear fake fangs. I knew he was not fond of his 'Dracula' work so, I opened with a film of his I truly liked, 'The Wicker Man' (1973), starring Edward Woodward. I told him that, early in 1980, quite by chance I'd met Edward Woodward in my regular lunchtime Melbourne pub, not far from a studio where he'd been doing publicity grabs for the Australian film, 'Breaker Morant'. All I had to do then was sit back, sip my drink and let Mr Lee ("Please, do call me Christopher...") recount highly entertaining stories of those films he found particularly memorable, and the casts he had worked with; his memory was phenomenal. He also had a wicked sense of humour, also self-deprecating, like David Niven. When I let slip that similar to him, I had been in the RAAF, he was truly pleased and I felt he became more open with me from that moment on. What he told me about his wartime exploits could, and did, fill part of a book he wrote. Sadly no room for his stories here. He did say, however, thanks to his fluency in many European languages, German included, he got the greatest satisfaction during the "...short time" he was attached to an Army 'War Criminals' Unit; locating and doing initial interrogations of Nazis suspected of mass murder. Already late for his lunch date, it was he, ever the gentleman, who thanked me for our time together. Chris, might I strongly suggest you do a video on Sir Christopher Lee's wartime exploits which took him to some fascinating and unexpected theatres of WW2, beginning in Finland, of all places; to South Africa to the Desert Campaign, Sicily, Monte Cassino and Rome where he caught up with members of the former Italian nobility branch of his family. Thanks again Chris, I've, of course, subscribed and 'rang the bell'. Cheers, Bill H. Tasmania P. S. After my memorable encounter with Mr Lee, I made extensive diary notes but, true to my word, I never submitted the story of meeting him to my editors; even though my brief was do just that; secure 'insider' interviews with famous film people. Coming across my diary entry on, by then, Sir Christopher Lee, some years later, I was no longer connected with the media so it took a great deal of time finding a reliable address for me to write to Sir Christopher. As he never would have seen any of the publications I had written for; my motive was to merely drop him a note to say that I had kept my promise not to publish anything about our chat that morning in Cannes; also, to be honest, I was hoping such a note might be the start of regular written contact with him. Sadly, I had no way of knowing if my note, when I eventually sent it, ever arrived at the right address for I didn't receive a reply. After he passed away, I felt comfortable about recounting our meeting on RU-vid and in private letters but I never profited from my talk with him... indeed, I would have paid to meet with him on the same terms of confidentiality. B.H.
I myself "met" Christopher Lee in London at 'The Forbidden Planet' bookshop in Central London where he was signing copies of his autobiography 'Tall Dark And Gruesome'. Just to be in his presence was a thrill but let down by our instructions "Not to talk to him, not to make eye contact and DEFINITELY not to ask him to sign anything else! The book which seemed to linger far too long on his tenuous links to spanish nobility was as dry and interesting as a text book on algebra.
@@fus149hammer5 G'day Fus, Yes, sadly, you're right. Sir Christopher's book is a 'hard read' by anyone's estimation. I only purchased a copy after I posted my original comment. It was disappointing to say the least. Having had the pleasure of meeting him, it seems to me that it was written by someone other than the charming gentleman I chatted with so engagingly back in Cannes. Still, as I've had several (awful) attempts to write an autobiography I can understand the difficulties of such a book; and I used to write for a living, plus I have two published books under my belt! (I'm now working on my third, non-autobiographical MS). Many people have great difficulty with writing and so many authors have told me that the hardest writing project has been trying to 'scribble' about themselves. I totally agree. I won't be reading Sir Christopher's book again. I prefer to remember him as an amazing, underappreciated, actor and a brilliant conversationalist. Cheers, and all the best. Bill H.
Mate you have had one hell of an interesting life and meeting two of my favourite actors and true heroes would have been the most amazing thing. Two men who epitomised the true meaning of gentlemen
If you ever find yourself in Exeter, go find the bridges over the canal and river at Countess Wear. They formed an almost exact facsimile of the river and canal , even the bridge was the same 'bascule' type (and still is). So this was a prime training ground for the Ox&Bucks. A small plaque commemorates it. In fact several soldiers were locked up in the Guildhall Cells for misbehaviour and when Howard got the order to 'Go' he had to persuade the Chief Constable to release them! Nice walks around there too. I've often thought that nothing tells of Todd's genuine service more than his line at the end of Dambusters - "I have some letters to write" - which he somehow delivers in a way that is so utterly authentic.
The Dam Busters was one of my all time favourite films , and any film with Richard Todd was a must see . Interesting footnote , Chester Wilmot was killed in the first Comet air crash travelling from Italy to London in 1954 , He was on his way home after covering the Queens visit to Australia .🇬🇧
I have always thought that it was either a stroke of tactical genius or dark realisation on the part of very senior officers to land the British squaddies on the other end of the bridge to the pub. If they had landed on the same side of the waterway as the pub, things might have unfolded very differently...the bar would have been liberated, but the bridge forgotten about.
Like the Falklands joke where an Argentine officer asks a British officer why they fought so hard to take Port Stanley. 'Well, we told the lads that there's only one pub on the island...'
Cracking, thanks. The actions of Pegasus Bridge and Merville Batteries are just amazing. I was very privileged to meet the "Sisters" in the early 90's. A friend and I visited, including the cafe. We'd only just walked in, were still taking in the historic cafe when we were quiet directly asked who we were by one of the Sisters. She had a huge presence, pushed us and; as soon as we said were where British Soldiers stationed in Germany a huge beautiful smile came out and her Sister was shouted over. We spent hours there talking to both the Sisters over many teas, until we had to drive back to work. Two very amazing ladies with fantastic stories of being the first family liberated by the British in France.
Great War story and excellently narrated as usual, I remember Richard Todd from the Longest Day and the Dambusters , he was a war hero in real life, WW2 should have been the last war , I’m sure all those men who fought and died in it , hoped that it would be, sadly not.
If memory serves, in The Longest Day, Richard Todd, as Major John Howard at Pegasus Bridge quips that: "the Paras are always late", as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that the Paras were indeed a little late in joining the fight.
As an aside, is there any evidence that Major Howard was connected to the Howard family? Howard is a common English surname but I vaguely recall that the Howard family were a powerful family in the North of England in past centuries and, as far as I know, were responsible for raising the (now amalgamated with others) 'Green Howards'. Also the stately home in Yorkshire (which I have visited some years ago, but not to Pegasas Bridge or even Normandy; although my younger brother (serving paratrooper) has attended several D-Day commemorations as an attendant to the veterans.)
Thank you very much for the story. I would like to share with you and all the subscribers two excellent films with Richard Todd. The first one is called "Interrupted Journey" (1949) a thriller with twist. The second is a drama called "Never let go" (1960), this film is also memorable because it was the only dramatic role played by Peter Sellers in his life. Have a nice weekend!
G'day @arslongavitabrevis5136, 'Never Let Go' is a fine drama but I'd say there is at least one other film in his career that is, well, bleak. It is 'The Blockhouse' (1973) and then, perhaps just squeaking in as a drama there's 'I'm Alright Jack' (1958). It is a biting satire on all that was wrong with the UK at that time. Yes, there is some 'humour' in Sellers' character's blatant 'pig ignorance'. I seem to recall reading that the director told Sellars to play his role 'straight'. This film wouldn't be the first time that Sellers ignored a director. But I'm getting on now and I could be wrong. I'm 100% right in saying that Richard Todd was an incomparable actor. His demeanor in most of his films is admirable and faultless. As an actor Todd had an inherent, almost natural, honesty in any role he took on. Even if he accepted the roles of Mussolini or Santa Claus, he'd make them as real as they could be. He had that 'magical' knack that many actors never find. Cheers, Bill H.
@@BillHalliwell Thank you very much for your feedback and comments. Yes, I agree with you 100%, Richard Todd was a natural. I watched "I'am allright Jack" nearly 20 years ago, therefore I must watch it again. I am also a great fan of Peter Sellers.
@@Philcopson G'day Phil, I understand where you're coming from with Peter Sellers in "Dr Strangelove...", however I and many other critic/reviewers felt that Sellers 3 roles in that film were more satirically based than dramatic. Because an actor doesn't get conventional 'gags' in their dialogue doesn't always mean they are playing drama. The 3 roles Kubrick gave Sellers are all 'idiots' even if they're playing a deadly serious President, like 'Muffley' and Seller's RAF Group Captain is a mere caricature, although brilliantly done, of a silly idea of what a twit of a person a senior RAF officer could be. Seller's 'Dr Strangelove' character is all out comedy played way over the top. Kubrick wanted Sellers to play the role that eventually went to Slim Pickins. Sellers really thought 3 roles was enough and (no more money for the 4th part) so, Sellers actually pretended to strain or break his ankle. It worked and Pickins was brought in at a moment's notice. Pickins had no idea the film he was suddenly in was a satire and so, played it perfectly straight, as he saw it. It's a brilliant performance and, still, funny. As to Seller's role in 'Being There' I believe it is neither a dramatic or comedic portrayal. The central character in that film, and indeed, the film itself is one of those rare films that falls into its own sub-genre. There is no other film like it to my knowledge. Kind regards, Bill Halliwell
"He always came across as stern and authoritative." - Not always! For three or four pounds on eBay, treat yourself to a DVD of an excellent, gritty 1960 British crime film called "Never Let Go" in which Richard Todd stars as an ineffectual, struggling salesman who faces ruin when his uninsured car is stolen - no transport to meet his customers, payments to meet, and a wife and child to support: Desperation makes him find the strength to pursue the gang of car-thieves. Excellent performances too from Peter Sellers showing that he could be convincing as a ruthless gangster as a change from the light comedy roles he was known for / pop star Adam Faith as a teenage car-thief / and Carol White as the gangster's abused young mistress.
I truly love the way you bring the stories to life, not just a simple rendition or retelling of something which happened long ago but you make it feel like you're actually there. I completely agree that Lord Lovett needs his own story! That man was too colorful a character to be ignored any longer! LOL I think you should get on that right away, old Bean! 🎉😊
I just rewatched The Longest Day this week and just found out that Richard Todd was veteran of of that battle. I have watched him in several of his movies but did not know till now that he walked the walked. I liked him before, but much more now.
Brave man, who never shirked his responsibility. What was not mentioned here is that when the Commandos arrived, Major Howard warned Lord Lovatt to be careful because snipers were active. Lovatt, sneering, formed his men up and marched them across the bridge, several being shot dead as they crossed; needless casualties of Lovatt's ego.
I remember an interview with an old para veteran, recalling his time at the Battle of Arnhem. Asked what he thought about the memories of the fallen, he simply said “they were my friends”………..
Chris thank you so much for this story, definitely stirring stuff, I've shared it on my Facebook page, let's hope it brings you more listeners. I actually knew of Richard Todd's army experineces because I read about him on Wikipedia, but, reading it is not the same as hearing it, because hearing it brings it to life. There are many actors who have played their part in the two world wars, some of whom, like sir Christopher Lee, and Sir Anthony Quayle, their stiries make interesting reading, and of course dear old David Niven. I believe that their work as actors prepared them for what was to come.
I bumped into richard todd in my local wilkinson store here in grantham many years ago...he lived just down the road and drove an old audi 100...often saw him about...RIP richard.
Another great video Chris Richard Todd was one of our finest actors. He was so versatile. I would rank him alongside Richard Burton and Olivier. He also played Robin Hood and I remember him as Sir Walter Raleigh playing opposite Bette Davis as Elizabeth 1. For me his finest performance was portraying Guy Gibson! He was also excellent as the Commander of the Amethyst. It is no surprise he was again outstanding at Pegasus Bridge. At the Midnight Commemoration in June 2019 I learned so much about the gliders. I was staggered at the short landing distance between the first glider piloted by Wallwork and Ainsworth and the bridge! On the 6th June 2019 a few hours after the Midnight Commemoration another one took place to honour the glider pilots. Just standing there I suddenly felt the presence of somebody next to me. I looked left and it was Major Howards daughter, Penny. A fine lady with striking blue eyes and I recognised her immediately. She just smiled and said, 'Hello'. I felt terrific. Shaking hands with relatives of these heroes was greatly rewarding. It was then I heard of Jim Wallwork and Ainsworth were so accurate that they were thrown through the windscreen on landing. I actually walked across the original bridge in the museum grounds, brilliant, a must visit place. A fine memorial to Piper Millin is at Sword Beach. Would love to see a video from Chris of that night in 1944.
Thanks for taking the time to share so many thoughts and your experiences of walking across the bridge. I never cease to be amazed at the skill and courage of those young glider pilots.
@@TheHistoryChap Hello Chris, Yes I stood in amazement at the distance of landing to the bridge. Kept saying 'it must be a mistake' It looks impossible but these men were special.
A brilliant and very vivid re-telling of this battle. At the Swedish P2 Regiment, Royal Scanian Dragoons (second armour) in 1983, "The Longest Day" was mandatory viewing, on screen in the main assembly hall...There, I watched Mr Todd's classic performance for the first time...
I think that he is one of a select breed of human who are truly humble, truly kind and truly heroic. There are few actors and actresses of whom never a bad word ever seemed to be said, and he is most certainly among that number. Effortless, meticulous and emotionally compelling in everything he did on the silver screen and warm, sincere and brave off it. A true gentleman in the very best sense of the word 🥃🪽🍀
Hi Chris, what a life he had and a great story to tell on this important date, next year it will be 80 years. I had a look through Wikipedia and smiled at this quote about his acting career "......he made the most of what he had, which could be summed up as an inability to sit still while there was a horse to leap astride, a swollen river to swim or a tree to vanish into" which sounded like his life in service as well. Have a great weekend and good luck from Spain!!
Thanks Chris, absolutely brilliant telling. I did not know about Richard Todd playing those parts. I actually recently purchased a brand-new copy of the movie " The Longest Day". Just to put away to watch in the future. Thanks again for another enthralling episode, cheers.
Amazing guy, I already knew sum his life story and have admired his movies for years, he also has family still living here in my home town in ulster, my father told me Richard came over here often back in the day and was a very lovely Gentleman who enjoyed being out and about round the town wanting to know its history and stuff.
Why has there never been a movie made about fighting mad Jack Churchill, if the UK film industry ever need to do a WW2 hero movie and need a Rambo/Forrest Gump character they need look no further, the thing writes itself
I've been to Normandy several times and each time have gone to Pegasus Bridge. The first time, the original bridge from the war, that had been removed several years earlier, was sitting in a nearby scrap yard. Then, thankfully, it was rescued and put into its current place at the museum. Fantastic story. All of the Allied airborne forces each faced their unique challenges and the stories that come from the individual paratroopers are terrific.
In the movie "The Longest Day", when Richard Todd, as major Howard, led his men up the embankment towards the bridge, the actor, he would later state in an interview, ad-libbed the line "Up the Ox and Bucks!" as they charged! That he did to honor his former comrades. 😉
Wonderful presentation, I could almost picture myself there. The parachutists were certainly a brave bunch, to lead the attack, behind enemy lines and then, object taken,having to defend and ....wait for reinforcements, the wait must've been unbearable. I'd like to request a presentation on the British experience in Palestine...yet another chapter in British history that largely goes untold.
@TheHistoryChap it seems that modern society are using the British as a scapegoat for many of the problems that we currently face, but a little historical knowledge seems to show otherwise.
Edited: For accuracy, the PIAT is not a rocket. It's "fired" by a single charge. Lord Lovat was a fool - he lost several of his men to sniper fire by making them march across the bridge in parade order. Great video thanks Chris.
It's technically a "spigot mortar". The hollow tail of the projectile has a charge in it, and the tail fits over a rod (the spigot). It's like a gun in reverse: the inner rod stays still and the barrel is part of the projectile. A very strong spring absorbs some of the recoil, and simultaneously re-cocks the weapon. A major advantage over other infantry anti tank weapons was that there was no backblast, unlike the rockets (bazooka, panzerschrek) or recoilless guns (panzerfaust). This meant they could be fired from inside a building.
Not only a fine Actor, but a brave man, who served his country when it needed him, along with many others. A Salute from an American to Sir Richard Todd OBE. Who I'll always remember as Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue, and Charles Branson in the Sword and the Rose (the first 2 movies I saw him in).
Hi there! enjoyed your video with interest... My Dad from The Royal Engineers 245 Field Company made the landing in 'Sicily' in 1943 after the war ended he secured the appointment of being 'clerk of works' and caretaker in 'Arras' War Graves Cemetery. He never talked much about war as I have seemed to notice of a lot of old soldiers who have experienced combat but he did tell me some stories that would have made some very gripping films!! All best ...........
What an event, I have been there with the family, one thing is the landing so close to the bridge.Cant and dont forget the boys who are still there. It upset my wife looking at the graves and the ages.
Recently, I saw a Richard Todd film about a mass escape from an Italin prisoner of war camp. He always had that bearing of someone who had served in war,l had some idea,he served in WW2,so this information fills the gaps 👍
@The History Chap Thank you,yes the film l mentioned was danger within,it had the cream of British actors from the 50s in it,also another terrific war film he starred in was the long and the short and the tall,a gritty film about the war in Burma
