The Cockleshell Heroes (1955)

Trevor Howard: Captain Hugh Thompson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Captain Thompson : Your men give the impression of being an ill-disciplined rabble. And they'll never get to Bordeaux that way.

  Major Stringer : Thompson, I'm training these men, not you. I'm the one who is responsible for the success or the failure of this project, so if you don't mind, we'll do it my way. It may not be the right way, or the Marine way, or the professional way, but it is my way and that's the way I want it.

• Captain Thompson : Keep the line straight, Boys.

• Captain Thompson : I've never seen such an appalling exhibition in my life.

• Major Stringer : All right, Thompson, let's clear the air a little. Ever since I came here, you've been giving me a hard time. Now just what the hell has been eating you?

  Captain Thompson : It's just that I'm a professional Marine. I don't like temporary officers. I don't like volunteers for hazardous service. I don't like musical-comedy operations designed to win the Victoria Cross for somebody. I suppose I just don't like heroes.

• Captain Thompson : Corporal Stevens.

  [Stevens steps forward and salutes, and Thompson returns the salute] 

  Captain Thompson : Do you usually let your men slouch about in that fashion?

  Marine Stevens : No, sir. We've just finished an exercise, and...

  Captain Thompson : I'm not interested in what you've finished.

• Major Stringer : Well, now, it's time for me to listen to you for a change.

  Captain Thompson : What do you mean by that?

  Major Stringer : I mean, let me have it. What did I do wrong?

  Captain Thompson : You did everything wrong.