BACKGROUND

The Battle of Arnhem that started with high expectations on 17 September 1944, ending dramatically nine days later, has always captured the imagination of many people. It should therefore come as no surprise that, shortly after the war, plans were drawn up in Britain to make a film about this event.

Film producer Castleton Knight of the RANK film company approached Brian Desmond Hurst, a film director of Irish descent. It was decided not to use professional actors. Instead, the film company sought permission from the British Ministry of War to employ some 200 soldiers, who had themselves taken part in the airborne landings at Arnhem on September 1944.

Following brief preparations in the UK, these soldiers left for the Netherlands in early August 1945, where the film crew of the "Arnhem Film Unit" had already arrived. Shooting of the film - which would ultimately be titled "Theirs is the Glory" - began in August 1945. The filming continued for over two months, primarily in the most devastated areas of Oosterbeek and Arnhem.

It must have been an odd experience for the men who had actually fought at Arnhem a year earlier to relive the battle and re-enact it in front of the cameras. There were still field graves of their former comrades at many places in Arnhem and Oosterbeek. Great care had to be taken during shooting. There was unexploded ammunition everywhere, which posed an invisible danger for the film crew.

The people of Arnhem and Oosterbeek followed the activities of the "Arnhem Film Unit" with interest. Various Dutch people took part in the film as "extras".

After the shooting was completed in the Netherlands, the film was finished at studios in the UK. Original documentary film footage shot by military cameramen during the war was also edited into the film.

For the premiere in London on 17 September 1946, ten Dutch girls from Oosterbeek and vicinity were invited to attend wearing traditional Dutch costumes and sell programmes to the invited guests. The press was unanimous in its judgement: "Theirs is the Glory" was an authentic, impressive portrayal of the battle at Arnhem.

BACKGROUND

The Battle of Arnhem that started with high expectations on 17 September 1944, ending dramatically nine days later, has always captured the imagination of many people. It should therefore come as no surprise that, shortly after the war, plans were drawn up in Britain to make a film about this event.

Film producer Castleton Knight of the RANK film company approached Brian Desmond Hurst, a film director of Irish descent. It was decided not to use professional actors. Instead, the film company sought permission from the British Ministry of War to employ some 200 soldiers, who had themselves taken part in the airborne landings at Arnhem on September 1944.

Following brief preparations in the UK, these soldiers left for the Netherlands in early August 1945, where the film crew of the "Arnhem Film Unit" had already arrived. Shooting of the film - which would ultimately be titled "Theirs is the Glory" - began in August 1945. The filming continued for over two months, primarily in the most devastated areas of Oosterbeek and Arnhem.

It must have been an odd experience for the men who had actually fought at Arnhem a year earlier to relive the battle and re-enact it in front of the cameras. There were still field graves of their former comrades at many places in Arnhem and Oosterbeek. Great care had to be taken during shooting. There was unexploded ammunition everywhere, which posed an invisible danger for the film crew.

The people of Arnhem and Oosterbeek followed the activities of the "Arnhem Film Unit" with interest. Various Dutch people took part in the film as "extras".

After the shooting was completed in the Netherlands, the film was finished at studios in the UK. Original documentary film footage shot by military cameramen during the war was also edited into the film.

For the premiere in London on 17 September 1946, ten Dutch girls from Oosterbeek and vicinity were invited to attend wearing traditional Dutch costumes and sell programmes to the invited guests. The press was unanimous in its judgement: "Theirs is the Glory" was an authentic, impressive portrayal of the battle at Arnhem.