The Cockleshell Heroes

United States, 1955 / 94 Mins

Director: Jose Ferrer

Starring: Trevor Howard, Anthony Newley, Victor Maddern, Jose Ferrer, Dora Bryan, David Lodge.

During WWII, a team of Royal Marines are sent on a perilous mission to infiltrate and destroy an impregnable harbour in German-occupied France in The Cockleshell Heroes.

At the height of the Second World War, a battalion of German ships are safely docked at the “unassailable” port of Bordeaux. Newly promoted Major Stringer (José Ferrer, also behind the camera as director) has a unique idea – send a team of commandos out in collapsable canoes, have them paddle seventy miles upriver in arduous conditions and blow up the German ships with limpet mines.

The Cockleshell Heroes is the true story of one of the most daring raids in British military history.

Will Heppa curator of artefacts at the Museum of the Royal Navy will give a short talk before the screening.

No.6 is taking a brief intermission - re-opening scheduled for May 9th

Loyal regulars will be aware that we have had a few technical issues with some of our screenings recently. We have been working to resolve these, and have been pleased that our most recent showings, including lengthy films like Dune: Part 2 and Apocalypse Now, have worked okay. But we feel it’s unfair on you to be crossing our fingers and hoping, we’d rather get things sorted properly.

The plan is to close for the next two weeks and hopefully return on Thursday 9th May. Keep an eye on the No.6 website and newsletter for confirmation or otherwise, and of course to find out what we will be showing when we do return. Thanks to everyone for your patience and understanding.