Attack on the Iron Coast

Attack on the Iron Coast

Year: 1968

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Paul Wendkos

War

A dead ship is converted into a massive floating bomb and steered into the mouth of the enemy’s harbor. The film recounts the daring Allied Combined Operations Headquarters commando raid on the German‑occupied French coast in World II, specifically the historic attack on the port of St. Nazaire.

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Timeline & Setting – Attack on the Iron Coast (1968)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Attack on the Iron Coast (1968). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II

The events occur during World War II, when Allied forces conducted daring combined operations against Axis-occupied France. The raid hinges on deception, precise timing, and bold action to disable a key naval asset. The narrative spans the English Channel crossing to the French port and back.

Location

Le Clare, France, English Channel

Le Clare is an Axis-held French port guarding a crucial dry dock used by German battleships. The harbor is defended by coastal batteries and fortified gates, making the entrance to the dock a heavily protected chokepoint. The mission unfolds across the port, its gates, and the German HQ overlooking the harbor.

🌊 Coastal 🇫🇷 Occupied France 🏰 Port fortress

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:51

Main Characters – Attack on the Iron Coast (1968)

Meet the key characters of Attack on the Iron Coast (1968), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Captain Owen Franklin (Andrew Keir)

A Royal Navy Captain whose son was killed during a previous Dieppe-type raid. He is tasked with steering a risky operation and initially questions Wilson’s audacious plan, favoring careful execution. Throughout the mission he balancing caution with adaptability, is captured by the Germans but remains pivotal to the raid’s psychological and strategic dynamics.

🪖 Military 🎖️ Leadership ⚔️ Duty

Maj. James Wilson (Jamie Wilson) (Lloyd Bridges)

Canadian Commando Major who masterminds the raid’s bold assault. His past Dieppe-type raid fuels his relentless drive to strike a decisive blow, and his willingness to take extreme risks ultimately leads to a self-sacrificing act that helps ensure the mission’s success.

🪖 Military 🎖️ Leadership ⚔️ Courage

Lt. Cmdr. Donald Kimberly (Mark Eden)

Naval commander who is blinded during a training accident while attempting to save an injured commando; his injury precipitates Franklin’s replacement as naval commander for the mission. His setback casts a shadow over the operation, highlighting the cost of duty and sacrifice.

🪖 Military 🧭 Strategy

Sue Wilson (Sue Lloyd)

The wife of Major Wilson, embodying the personal stakes of war and the costs borne by families. Her presence underscores the human dimension of the raid and the reasons servicemen push forward despite the danger.

👩 Family 🧭 War Toll

Colonel von Horst (Walter Gotell)

German garrison commander who treats the mission as a fruitless endeavour. He commands the fortified HQ and the defense of the port, and his arrogance ultimately makes him a target during the assault.

⚔️ German Officer 🏰 Fortified HQ

Forrester (Glyn Owen)

A member of the raiding party whose exact role is not detailed in the summary, but who participates in the operation as part of the team and shares in the mission’s tension and danger.

🪖 Military 👥 Team Member

Lt. Graham (Howard Pays)

A member of the operation’s crew who helps coordinate the assault and its approach to Le Clare; part of the broader commandos’ network.

🪖 Military 🚀 Support

Commando (uncredited) (Roy Beck)

An unnamed member of the commando team who participates in the assault on the port, contributing to the collective effort of breaching the gate and engaging the German defenders.

🧑‍✈️ Commando 🗡️ Assault

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:51

Major Themes – Attack on the Iron Coast (1968)

Explore the central themes of Attack on the Iron Coast (1968), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Courage

The mission thrusts soldiers into life-and-death confrontations that test personal bravery and resolve. Wilson’s audacious plan pushes the limits of risk and loyalty, while Franklin’s cautious steadiness offers a counterbalance. Their different paths to courage reveal that bravery can be quiet as well as bold. The ultimate sacrifice seals the raid’s success, giving courage a deeply human dimension.

🧭 Strategy

Deception and timing are central to the plan: the Germans are led to believe the operation is a routine minesweeping patrol. Delays and misdirection keep the convoy on course, while a sudden, high-stakes breach tests nerve and precision. The success depends on flawless coordination between land and sea elements. The film highlights how strategic gambits can tilt the balance in a tight maritime theater.

🤝 Leadership

Leadership is tested by conflicting approaches—Wilson’s bold, aggressive drive clashes with Franklin’s disciplined prudence. Over time, their differing styles complement one another, forming a unified command. Personal history and loss inform their decisions, underscoring that effective leadership blends trust, restraint, and decisive action. The raid demonstrates that true leaders shepherd others through peril toward a shared objective.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:51

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Attack on the Iron Coast Summary

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Attack on the Iron Coast Summary

Attack on the Iron Coast Timeline

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Attack on the Iron Coast Timeline

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