“The Big Gamble” is a 1961 film that delves into the mixture of action and adventure. It showcases the tale of an ambitious Irish man with dreams of establishing a trucking business in Africa. Join us as we explore the filming locations, the roles that each actor played, and delve into some exciting trivia related to this movie!
Where it Filmed?
The filming locations of “The Big Gamble” were diverse and varied. It takes us from the vibrant landscapes of the Côte D’Ivoire and the Ivory Coast, to the urban setting of Custom House Docks in Dublin, Ireland. The filming also spanned to the renowned Ardmore Studios located at Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. The filming took place starting May 23, 1960.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Stephen Boyd | Vic |
| David Wayne | Samuel |
| Gregory Ratoff | Kaltenberg |
| Fernand Ledoux | Customs Official |
| Marie Kean | Cynthia |
| Harold Goldblatt | The Priest |
| Maureen O’Dea | Margaret Brennan |
| Fergal Stanley | Davey Brennan |
| Jess Hahn | First Mate |
| Alain Saury | Lieutenant François |
| Jacques Marin | The Hotel Clerk |
| James Campbell | Bit Part (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- The movie “The Big Gamble” was first released in the UK in 1961.
- The film is a 1 hour 40 minutes experience filled with action and adventure.
- The key actors in the film include Stephen Boyd, Juliette Gréco, and David Wayne. They played the roles of Vic, Marie, and Samuel respectively.
- The movie was directed by two people, Richard Fleischer, and Elmo Williams, while the story was written by Irwin Shaw.
- Stephen Boyd almost had a near-death experience while filming this movie, as he nearly drowned. However, he was saved by his co-star David Wayne.
- In spite of the unique filming locations and some intense scenes, the movie did have its share of goofs. For instance, the tailgate of the truck that is stuck in a riverbed seems to mysteriously switch between being open and closed numerous times.
- The movie captures the character’s long trip from Ireland to the remote African town of Jebanda to start a trucking business, which includes various challenges like hijackings, deadly fever, near drowning and broken trucks.
- Though it sounds surprising, “The Big Gamble” includes the celebration of a funeral, highlighting the unique tradition of the Irish wake.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Custom House Docks, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
- Latitude: 53.3481876
- Longitude: -6.2506375
- Place ID: ChIJuVq-Wo4OZ0gRNuFfzcAMHf4
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Custom House Quay, North Wall, Dublin, Ireland
- Timezone: Europe/Dublin
- Location Name: Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland
- Latitude: 53.196698
- Longitude: -6.1249014
- Place ID: ChIJWSWEbtanZ0gRHKkTr9FMPYA
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Herbert Rd, Killarney, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
- Timezone: Europe/Dublin
