The Way Ahead

From Workers — To Warriors

A mismatched collection of conscripted civilians find training tough under Lieutenant Jim Perry and Sergeant Ned Fletcher when they are called up to replace an infantry battalion that had suffered casualties at Dunkirk.

David Niven

(Lieutenant Jim Perry)

Stanley Holloway

(Pvt. Ted Brewer)

James Donald

(Pvt. Evans Lloyd)

John Laurie

Leslie Dwyer

(Pvt. Sid Beck)

Hugh Burden

(Pvt. Bill Parsons)

Raymond Huntley

(Pvt. Herbert Davenport)

Jimmy Hanley

(Pvt. Geoffrey Stainer)

William Hartnell

(Sgt. Ned Fletcher)

Reginald Tate

(The Training Company Commanding Officer)

Leo Genn

(Captain Edwards)

John Ruddock

(Old Chelsea Soldier)

A. Bromley Davenport

(Old Chelsea Soldier)

Renée Asherson

(Marjorie Gillingham)

Mary Jerrold

(Mrs. Gillingham)

Raymond Lovell

Jack Watling

Peter Ustinov

Lloyd Pearson

Penelope Dudley-Ward

Esma Cannon

(Mrs. Ted Brewer)

Eileen Erskine

(Mrs. Bill Parsons)

Grace Arnold

(Mrs. Ned Fletcher)

Tessie O'Shea

Trevor Howard

(Officer on Ship (uncredited))

George Merritt

(Sergeant Major (uncredited))

Tracy Reed

(Perry's Daughter (uncredited))

A.E. Matthews

(Colonel Walmsley)

John Boxer

(Soldier in Pub Talking to the Chelsea Pensioners (uncredited))

Peggy Carlisle

(Minor Role (uncredited))

Alf Goddard

(Instructor (uncredited))

David Hutcheson

(Garage Customer in Car (uncredited))

Benita Lydal

(ENSA Artist (uncredited))

Andreas Malandrinos

(Gendarme in Café (uncredited))

John Salew

(Sam - Friend of Pvt. Lloyd in Pub Scene (uncredited))

Johnnie Schofield

(Lewis Gun Instructor (uncredited))

Winifred Willard

(Minor Role (uncredited))

Ben Williams

(Pessimistic Man Talking to the Chelsea Pensioners (uncredited))