The “Paratrooper” or also known as “The Red Beret” is a 1953 drama war film. This movie revolves around an American who claims to be Canadian and enlists in the British Army’s paratroop school. The film is set in 1940 and directed by Terence Young. The story showcases the contributions of Alan Ladd, Leo Genn, and Susan Stephen, who played as ‘Canada’, Major Snow, and Penny Gardner respectively. This article goes on to discuss some filming locations and behind-the-scenes facts of the movie.
Where it Filmed?
The film was brought to life in different locations across the UK. Filming took place in RAF Abingdon Parachute School situated in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, and Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd, Wales. The team also shot in Snowdon, which is also in Gwynedd, Wales. Other shots were taken in two more locations – one throughout the UK and the other in Shepperton Studios, located in Shepperton, Surrey, England.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Alan Ladd | Canada |
| Leo Genn | Major Snow |
| Susan Stephen | Penny Gardner |
| Harry Andrews | R.S.M. |
| Donald Houston | Taffy |
| Anthony Bushell | General Whiting |
| Patric Doonan | Flash |
| Stanley Baker | Breton |
| Lana Morris | Pinky |
| Tim Turner | Rupert |
| Michael Kelly | Dawes |
| Anton Diffring | The Pole |
| Thomas Heathcote | Alf |
| Carl Duering | Rossi |
| John Boxer | Flight Sgt. Box |
| Harry Locke | Medical Orderly |
| Michael Balfour | American Sergeant |
| Guido Lorraine | German Officer |
| Dermot Palmer | Dakota Pilot |
| George Margo | American Crewman |
| Richard Ford | Wellington Pilot |
| Walter Gotell | German Sentry |
| Martin Lyder | German Sentry |
| Yvonne Stein | Nurse |
| Peter Brace | MP (uncredited) |
| Peter Burton | Radio Operator (uncredited) |
| Guy De Monceau | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| Tex Fuller | Soldier (uncredited) |
| Henry B. Longhurst | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| Richard Shaw | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| Peter Swanwick | German Soldier (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- Alan Ladd, Leo Genn, and Susan Stephen starred as the leading actors in the movie.
- Terence Young directed the film.
- Richard Maibaum, Frank S. Nugent, and Sy Bartlett were the writers of the movie.
- The original title of the film was ‘The Red Beret’.
- The film was released in Japan on the 1st of October 1953.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: RAF Abingdon Parachute School, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, UK
- Latitude: 51.67078
- Longitude: -1.2879529
- Place ID: ChIJk_Bzx_u1dkgRqvAjQFGnfQI
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Abingdon OX14, UK
- Timezone: Europe/London
- Location Name: Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd, Wales, UK
- Latitude: 52.9010831
- Longitude: -3.9207122
- Place ID: ChIJhaNP2PpxZUgRNFI_lWcMxGs
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Trawsfynydd, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41, UK
- Timezone: Europe/London
- Location Name: UK
- Latitude: 55.378051
- Longitude: -3.435973
- Place ID: ChIJqZHHQhE7WgIReiWIMkOg-MQ
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: United Kingdom
- Timezone: Europe/London
- Location Name: Snowdon, Gwynedd, Wales, UK
- Latitude: 53.068504
- Longitude: -4.0762766
- Place ID: ChIJvYPSFoIJZUgRNHSkOuvO4n8
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Yr Wyddfa, Caernarfon LL55 4UL, UK
- Timezone: Europe/London
- Location Name: Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK
- Latitude: 51.4075493
- Longitude: -0.4636433
- Place ID: ChIJ0SSywSF0dkgRbwAJuf4ySWA
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Studios Rd, Shepperton TW17 0QD, UK
- Timezone: Europe/London
