Reach for Glory Poster

Reach for Glory 1962

★ 5.310 votes86 min📅 1962-04-14

"Corruption and cruelty amongst teenagers in wartime."

Set in the heart of World War II England, *Reach for Glory (1962)* follows a group of teenage boys in a small town whose lives blur between patriotic fervor and harsh reality.

Director: Philip Leacock

Cast

Harry Andrews
Harry Andrews
Capt. Curlew
Kay Walsh
Kay Walsh
Mrs. Curlew
Michael Anderson Jr.
Michael Anderson Jr.
Lewis Craig
Richard Vernon
Richard Vernon
Dr. Aldrich
Russell Waters
Russell Waters
Mr. Freeman
Patricia Hayes
Patricia Hayes
Mrs. Freeman
Oliver Grimm
Mark Stein
Martin Tomlinson
John Curlew
Freddy Eldrett
Willy Aldrich
James Luck
Martin Freen

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Reach for Glory (1962) about?

This wartime drama centers on a group of teenage boys in a small English town whose obsession with war games and patriotic zeal masks the harsh truths of battle. As they clamor to prove themselves in a conflict they don't fully understand, their actions reveal the corruption and cruelty lurking beneath the surface of their youthful bravado.

Who directed Reach for Glory?

Philip Leacock directed *Reach for Glory*, bringing a stark realism to the film's exploration of wartime youth.

Who stars in Reach for Glory?

The film features a talented cast including Harry Andrews, Kay Walsh, Michael Anderson Jr., Richard Vernon, and Patricia Hayes.

Is Reach for Glory (1962) worth watching?

While not widely celebrated, *Reach for Glory* offers a gripping, if understated, perspective on wartime youth with strong performances and a bleak authenticity. Fans of historical dramas or coming-of-age stories set against real-world turmoil will find its themes compelling.

How long is Reach for Glory?

The film runs for 86 minutes.

About Reach for Glory (1962) — A raw wartime drama of teenage fury and shattered innocence

Set in the heart of World War II England, *Reach for Glory (1962)* follows a group of teenage boys in a small town whose lives blur between patriotic fervor and harsh reality. Directed by Philip Leacock, the film dives into the raw emotions of youth caught in a war they desperately want to join, wrapped in a gritty atmosphere of idealism and cruelty. As the boys engage in war games and fantasize about battle, their innocence is tested by the darker side of war—authority figures who exploit their naivety and the looming threat of violence. With its sharp themes of corruption and the cost of growing up too soon, this drama paints a vivid picture of wartime Britain through the eyes of those who saw it as a chance to prove themselves.

Starring Harry Andrews, Kay Walsh, and Michael Anderson Jr., the film blends tension with a haunting authenticity, capturing the desperation of a generation eager for purpose. Leacock's direction grounds the story in a claustrophobic realism, where the line between play and peril blurs tragically. A poignant exploration of youth, war, and the loss of childhood, *Reach for Glory* remains a compelling, if understated, wartime drama that resonates with anyone fascinated by how conflict shapes the lives of the young.