Private’s Progress (1956): Cast & Plot
Private’s Progress is a 1956 war comedy directed by John Boulting, starring Ian Bannen as Private Horrocks, Kenneth Griffith and Victor Maddern. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- John Boulting
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Charter Film Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Private’s Progress About?
The premise of Private’s Progress without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film dedicates itself to all those who managed to slip through the cracks. When a late‑war call‑up forces Stanley Windrush to abandon his university studies, he quickly learns he is no officer material. He teams up with clever Private Percival Cox, a master of the British Army’s endless scams, and becomes entangled with his brigadier uncle in the War Office, whose dubious plans draw the pair into covert missions behind enemy lines.
Private’s Progress Themes & Keywords
· 38 tags- impersonation
- lie
- jealousy
- fake painting
- cooking
- suicide
- arrest by mistake
- german pow
- money
- dating
- airplane
- satire comedy
+26 more Show fewer
- secret
- university
- british army
- army
- world war two
- sergeant
- secret mission
- satire
- robbery
- prisoner of war camp
- naivete
- military police
- medical examination
- language course
- german officer
- forgery
- faking one's own death
- drunkenness
- cross country running
- cinema
- basic training
- art theft
- army doctor
- air raid warden
- academia
- based on novel
Private’s Progress Cast & Characters
Ian Bannen leads the cast as Private Horrocks, with Kenneth Griffith as Private Dai Jones and Victor Maddern as Private George Blake. Directed by John Boulting; 30 actors are credited in all.
- Director John Boulting
-
Ian Bannen as Private Horrocks - Kenneth Griffith as Private Dai Jones
- Victor Maddern as Private George Blake
- Ian Carmichael as Pte. Stanley Windrush
Also Starring in Private’s Progress
· 26 more- Peter Jones Arthur Egan
- William Hartnell Sgt. Sutton
- Christopher Lee Major Schultz
- Terry-Thomas Major Hitchcock
- Richard Attenborough Pvt. Percival Henry Cox
- Dennis Price Brig. Bertram Tracepurcel
- George Coulouris Padre
- Marianne Stone Miss Sugden
- John Le Mesurier Psychiatrist
- Miles Malleson Mr. Windrush Sr.
- Jack Carter German Officer (uncredited)
- Ronald Adam Doctor at Medical
- Thorley Walters Captain Bootle
- Brian Oulton M.O. at Gravestone Camp
- Henry Oscar Art Expert
- Michael Trubshawe Col. Fanshawe
Show all 30 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Robert Raglan General Tomlinson
- John Warren SgtMaj. Gradwick
- Patrick Westwood Pvt. Green - Driver
- Henry B. Longhurst Mr. Spottiswood
- Jill Adams Prudence Greenslade
- Derrick De Marney Pat
- Nicholas Bruce German Officer
- David King-Wood Gerald
- Theodore Zichy German Agent
- Sally Miles Catherine
More from John Boulting
More films directed by John Boulting: The Family Way, Rotten to the Core, Suspect and I’m All Right Jack.
Private’s Progress Plot Summary
What happens in Private’s Progress from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During the Second World War, Stanley Windrush, a bright but reluctant undergraduate, is drafted into the British Army. He approaches service with caution and discomfort, especially when set alongside his friend Arthur Egan, who seems quicker to adapt. Windrush endures the grueling routine of Gravestone Barracks under the stern eye of Sgt. Sutton, where missteps and a stubborn streak mark his early days in uniform. The path is rocky as he battles nerves, homesickness, and a sense that military life clashes with his academic past, all while clinging to a spark of curiosity about what lies beyond the drill square.
Full summary
The whole story of Private’s Progress, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Private’s Progress?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the bright but reluctant undergraduate who is drafted into the British Army?
Private’s Progress Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Privates Progress” and “Der beste Mann beim Militär”.
- Also known as
-
- Privates Progress
- Der beste Mann beim Militär
- 프라이빗스 프로그레스
- 士兵的进步
- Operazione fifa
Seen Private’s Progress?
Movies Like Private’s Progress
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Privates on Parade, Buck Privates and Private Bom.
Private’s Progress FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Private’s Progress, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Private’s Progress?
Private’s Progress runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was Private’s Progress released?
Private’s Progress was released on February 17, 1956.
Who directed Private’s Progress?
Private’s Progress was directed by John Boulting.
More films by John Boulting Who is in the cast of Private’s Progress?
Private’s Progress stars Ian Bannen as Private Horrocks, Kenneth Griffith as Private Dai Jones and Victor Maddern as Private George Blake, among 30 credited actors.
Does Private’s Progress have a post-credit scene?
No. Private’s Progress has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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