Customer Reviews

International Stars at War

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If you enjoy learning about your matinee heros and idols this book is a fun read. For all of the history of our military and warfare that I have read, this book was full of facts that I was unaware of.

INTERNATIONAL STARS AT WAR is the fourth - and last - in James Wise's 'Star' series. The first three (STARS IN BLUE, STARS IN KHAKI, STARS IN THE CORPS) dealt with U. S. actors/actresses who served in the military and/or saw combat. This time around, Wise looks at international stars and the result is as interesting, if not moreso, than its three predecessors.

Most of the 60+ stars featured in this book are British. There are several Canadians, Frenchmen, Germans, Japanese and Australians along with the occasional South African and even Rin Tin Tin! The list of actors covered is mind-boggling: Richard Attenborough, Richard Burton, Michael Caine, Maurice Chevalier, Sean Connery, Stewart Granger, Alec Guinness, Cedric Hardwicke, Hardy Kruger, Christopher Lee, Patrick Macnee, David Niven, Terry-Thomas, etc.

The "At War' title though is a bit misleading since only a small portion of the 60 saw combat. Most served during WWII but in a non-combat situation. And a small number served in the post-war years.

Be that as it may, the stories found in this volume are quite interesting, sometimes surprising and occasionally humorous, such as the military mis-adventures of blithe spirit Peter Ustinov. It might surprise readers to discover that mild-mannered Alec Guinness had an incredible combat record as did Donald Pleasance, who served in the RAF and ended up in a German POW camp. And then - deja vu - twenty years later, Pleasance starred in 'The Great Escape!' Other combat vets included David Niven, Kenneth More, Anthony Quayle and Richard Todd. Peter Sellers, Trevor Howard and others served in rear area units. Among the men who served post-war were two future James Bonds (Sean Connery and Roger Moore), Anthony Hopkins, Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole.

Film buffs and historians will enjoy this book. Well-written and well-researched, it offers a seldom seen glimpse into the lives of some very famous people.