Film
Cockleshell Heroes
1955
UK Quad / Single Sided / (30″ x 40″) Printed in England. Stafford & Co. Ltd. Netherfield, Nottingham & London
British / UK
Very Fine minus ; originally folded (as issued)
Jose Ferrer
Anthony Newley, David Lodge, Dora Bryan, Jose Ferrer, Trevor Howard, Victor Maddern
“Ten Brave Men Started Out on the Most Desperate Adventure of the War !”
A truly magnificent looking British film poster from 1955. This original UK quad for Jose Ferrer’s “Cockleshell Heroes” is an incredible piece of ‘Boys Own’ adventure artwork. Superb illustrations of both Ferrer and Howard are prominently set against a raging sea scene as the Royal Marine Commandoes in their kayaks battle the waves whilst under taking their secret mission. From first year of release 1955 this is an original country of origin British quad film poster. Originally folded (as issued) the beautiful unrestored example offered here displays and presents to very good effect with very little age and handling wear and stunning deep, dark unfaded colours. A fine item of extremely scarce collectable original British cinema movie memorabilia that is rarely offered for sale in the country of origin style.
…more detailVintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
“A Royal Marine Reserve Major must work with a veteran Captain and a group of incorrigible recruits to attempt what is generally regarded as a suicide mission: the covert destruction of an entire German shipyard in occupied France.”
Twelve Royal Marines in December, 1942, were deposited by sub with their six kayaks at the mouth of the Gironde estuary. Their mission was to paddle in the middle of winter for three days, upriver at night and laying low during the day, until they reached the docks of Bordeaux. There, they would attach limpet mines to German shipping, blow up or damage as many ships as possible, then escape overland and eventually return to Britain.
Of the six two-man teams, only two Marines made it back. One kayak was damaged getting it in the water and these two men remained on the sub. One kayak capsized and the two men drowned. One kayak became separated and the two men were captured and immediately shot by the Germans. Another kayak became separated and then capsized. The two men were betrayed by the French, captured by the Germans and later shot. Two kayaks made it. The four men attached their mines and damaged several ships. The four men got to shore safely. Later, two were betrayed by the French and later shot by the Germans with their two comrades who had been captured earlier. Two men eventually made it back home.
Did their raid make any difference to WWII? None whatsoever. “Cockleshell Heroes“ is based on this real story. It has its flaws, but, once we get to the ten men leaving the sub it builds excitement and tension. But it also underlines the extent to which brave and resourceful men and women in time of war can be called upon to undertake harebrained risks with little payoff, thought up or approved by enthusiastic senior commanders and their civilian bosses. In this case, we can thank our stars that the military direction of WWII was in the hands of men like Alan Brooke and George Marshall and not Louis Mountbatten, who is supposed to have thought the idea was splendid and gallant.
José Ferrer, who also directed, stars as Major Stringer. The raid is his idea. He wants to build his two-man teams from men he can motivate and train unconventionally. He is a believer in trust. His second in command, Captain Thompson, played by Trevor Howard, is old-school. He’s just as sure that discipline and pride must come first. Guess who’s right. The movie’s great flaw is the standard portrayal of the men as tough but rambunctious lower-class lads who need the firm but understanding leadership of their upper-class officers. Ferrer does a fine job as the smart, dedicated officer who gets off on the wrong foot with the men, but who proves himself just as brave and resourceful as they are. Trevor Howard, however, is the key to the movie…a soldier of the old school, a skeptical man and a professional soldier to his fingertips. “Keep the line straight, boys,” are his last, laconic words, and they pack an emotional wallop.
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Mint
A poster that has never been used or displayed and may show the most minor signs of age and wear. The poster should have no holes or tears.
Near Mint
A generally unused poster with fresh, saturated colors. May have minimal tears at folds. Has no significant holes, no paper loss, may have minor tears along edges, may have fine pin holes.
Very Fine
A poster with bright colour and crisp overall appearance. It may have very general signs of use including slight fold separation and fold wear. It may have pin holes or very minor tears. This is the highest grade allowed for a poster that has been restored either on linen or on paper.
Fine
A poster with good colors and overall clean appearance. It may have minor tears small paper loss and minor stains. It may have some fold seperation.
Good
An average poster with overall fresh color. May have tears, minor paper loss, minor hazing. Paper may be brittle due to age, may have minor stains. May have a small amount of writing in an unobtrusive place. May have medium or major restoration.
Fair
A poster with faded colors and brittle paper, showing significant signs of use. May have tears and paper loss. May have tape, writing, stains in image area. In need of restoration or had major restoration.
Poor
A poster that is worn, torn, and/or damaged. May have staining, cracking, dry rot, and/or large tears. May be heavily soiled, may have pieces missing. In need of major restoration.
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LOBBY CARD
11 x 14″ printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.
WINDOW CARD
14 x 22″ printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970’s.
HALF SHEET
22 x 28″ printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.
INSERT
14 x 36″ printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.
STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60″ printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.
ONE-SHEET
27 x 41″ printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass “marquee” case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980’s most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27″ by 40″ and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.
THREE-SHEET
41 x 81″ printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970’s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as “international” versions to be used abroad.
BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40″ Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.
BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40″, printed on paper. Very rarely used size.
ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28″ six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26″ Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.
2-FOGLIO (DUE)
(DUE): 39 x 55″ This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
4-FOGLIO
(QUATTRO) 55 x 79″ Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.
FRENCH
47 x 63″ (GRANDE) or 24 x 33″ (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian’s some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.
