I will have to say that is my favorite quote by him, I was quite successful right up until the point where I was shot down! Brilliant British humor! You're very well done my friend, kudos to you!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it Harry. Hope you can make live stream on Friday.
@Hartley_Hare4 ай бұрын
There's an episode of The Twilight Zone where Pleasence plays a teacher who looks back over a lifetime in the classroom and thinks that he was a failure. Contemplating ending his life, he returns to the classroom to find the ghosts of boys he had taught, all of whom say how important the lessons he taught them were. There's a lad who died on the Arizona, another who fought at Iwo Jima and so on. It's impossible for me to watch without howling my eyes out, but well worth a look.
@jasonbromhead52574 ай бұрын
I will try to track the episode down 👍
@ProxyBlue-e8y2 ай бұрын
The Changing of the Guard. @@Hartley_Hare
@stevenduffy5994 ай бұрын
The reason according to an interview with james garner the reason the director had a change of heart in his attitude to Donald was Charles Bronson who had a face to face talk on set and informed the director. " in the nicest possible way " what experience Donald had during the war
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing.
@charliemanson48084 ай бұрын
Ive been looking forward to this one. The actors of our childhood had some amazing military histories.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Hope you enjoy it Charlie.
@charliemanson48084 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap I most certainly did! I also went and rewatched the great escape video and left another comment....you know for the algorithm magic n stuff!
@grumpyoldsodinacellar35184 ай бұрын
60 combat missions in itself, are a bloody miracle.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@anthonyeaton515319 күн бұрын
Pleasance, 60 ops . Not bad for a Conscientious Objector.
@warringtonminge41674 ай бұрын
Peter Butterworth was one as well. He was on the actual Wooden Horse escape team about which a famous film of the same name was made but Butterworth failed the audition beause the casting director didn't think he looked enough like a real POW. Strange but true.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@marco-584 ай бұрын
Great story, a special Man indeed. Fellow Actor, Denholm Elliot also became a POW after his bomber was shot down over the North Sea.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback
@pshehan14 ай бұрын
I am Australian and two of my mother's cousins were bomber pilots in WWII. One, Keith Cornish, was shot down and killed over Milne Bay New Guinea, and his brother Geoffrey was shot down over Germany and sent to Stalag Luft III. He was supposed to go out in the Great Escape but as he had been a medical student and the closest thing they had to a doctor in the camp, his place was given to another man who was among the fifty executed by the Germans. He felt the guilt ever after. My mother said that the actor playing the doctor in the film was dark haired but her cousin was fair. After the liberation, the Americans asked if there were any people in the camp with medical experience. Geoffrey was thus sent to a liberated concentration camp to help with care of the inmates. He found it a very traumatic experience. His daughter was watching an episode of the British television Antiques Roadshow, and a woman on the show said that her mother had been in the concentration camp and had been assisted by a fair haired 'British' POW. Geoffrey's daughter was sure it was him but was unable to get into contact with the woman.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to share your interesting family story.
@pshehan14 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap Thanks. Dr Cornish became a well known cardiologist after the war. From an article about him: The Continuing Inspirational Social Legacy of Dr Geoffrey J. Cornish MBBS, OAM (1921-2005) The esteemed medical career of GC includes, but is certainly not limited to, innovations in cardiac rehabilitation and anaesthetics, as well the establishment of vital Red Cross blood banks throughout regional Australia, all having significant community impact. Indeed, GC’s life of service, that extended into his eighties, contains many other dimensions and achievements of distinction. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
@pshehan14 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap Thank you. Although Geoffrey felt guilty about surviving at the expense of the life of another man, it is fortunate for many that he did. From the article: The Continuing Inspirational Social Legacy of Dr Geoffrey J. Cornish MBBS, OAM (1921-2005) This year marks several anniversary milestones of an eminent Australian and Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient, Dr Geoffrey James Cornish MBBS... The esteemed medical career of GC includes, but is certainly not limited to, innovations in cardiac rehabilitation and anaesthetics, as well the establishment of vital Red Cross blood banks throughout regional Australia, all having significant community impact. Indeed, GC’s life of service, that extended into his eighties, contains many other dimensions and achievements of distinction... Journalist Tara Brown of 60 Minutes Australia describes in GC’s life as a touching and inspirational story of humble heroism and enduring spirit resembling an adventure novel, but being far more fascinating than any work of fiction.
@billyscenic56102 ай бұрын
Amazing story. Thank you.
@thedirectorschair10544 ай бұрын
Donald Pleasance is my favourite actor of all time. He had astounding range and talent and always elevates anything he was in.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Nice comment. Thanks for taking the time to post.
@thedirectorschair10544 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap thanks for taking the time to make the video :)
@Brian-om2hh4 ай бұрын
His performance in the Bond movie - You Only Live Twice - was superb, giving just enough of a truly menacing air...... One of the better Bond villains in my opinion.
@peterrollinson-lorimer4 ай бұрын
I share your opinion, an extremely versatile character actor. He became the gold standard for evey role he played.
@ynys_mon69283 ай бұрын
My favourite memory of Donald Pleasance was one of his last roles as ‘The Warden’, in an adaptation of an Anthony Trollope novel of that name, in which he played very gentle and humble clergyman. It was in such contrast to many of his most well known acting roles as evil characters.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for your comment.
@SMichaelDeHart4 ай бұрын
Love this movie and have watched several times over the years along with my late father. Dad was a Combat Veteran, like Mr Pleasance. However, my father served in the South Pacific Campaign. Dad was a Flightline Engineer and Mechanic on the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt with the 20th US Army Air Force, 7th Army Air Corp, 414th Fighter/ Bomber Group, 413th F/ B Squadron on Guam, Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima. Luckily, dad was never captured. But, two men of his Squadron (field personnel) decided to sneak out of the safe zone and go swimming one night. The Japanese soldiers were still being cleared off Iwo. They found their bodies with throats slashed on the beach. Danger every where!! Lost dad in '06 at 88yrs old. Miss and love ya dad!!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Such a lovely comment. Thanks for taking the time to share your father's story of wartime service.
@SMichaelDeHart4 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChapenjoy your video, from southern West Virginia, USA.
@nathanappleby53424 ай бұрын
It was great Pleasance had the chance to share his experiences with the production crew during filming, such information is invaluable! I did not know prior to today there is a town called Boston in Britain just like in America. Thank you for sharing the story of Hoover's escape! Always enjoy learning about successful escape stories. For his villain role in You Only Live Twice, the facial and eye scars were his idea. He indeed had one heck of a life as a serviceman, prisoner, and actor! Thank you Chris for telling this story.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Hi Nathan, I'm glad you enjoyed this story. Boston in England gave its name to the city in New England. Many of the Pilgrim Fathers and early Puritan settlers came from the eastern side of England, such as the counties of Lincolnshire and Essex.
@nathanappleby53424 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap Thank you for explaining.
@karahughes70744 ай бұрын
We have a real town called Gotham too.
@nathanappleby53424 ай бұрын
@@karahughes7074 I had absolutely no idea! I had only previously heard the name in Batman.
@Philcopson4 ай бұрын
Er....I think you'll find there's a town in America called Boston just like in Britain... There's any number of places in America named after the towns the settlers came from - Birmingham, Manchester, Northampton, Winchester, Woodstock etc. ( I wonder if many Americans have ever heard of some out-of-the-way places called "California", "New York" and "Washington"? LOL.)
@johnf38854 ай бұрын
My parents were fortunate enough to meet Donald on the You Only Live Twice set and had lunch with him in the studio canteen along with Sean Connery and Cubby Broccoli. He was an outstanding actor and a very generous person.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to share your family story.
@jimjasper98513 ай бұрын
A great actor and a lovely man. RIP.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@ProfessorM-he9rl4 ай бұрын
Thank you, another learning experience about an actor who was a real hero. RIP xx
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your feedback, glad you enjoyed my video.
@itstuff47443 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for sharing this beautiful story.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
@brendanmallon14794 ай бұрын
Brilliant yet again Chris more history please love from Ireland ❤
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@pagarb4 ай бұрын
I remember the Lincoln's flying in Hong Kong in the early 1950's, they, the Spits, Mosquitos, Meteors (the first jets) and Vampires, and especially the Spits, would put on great shows almost every day. Back then there was very little traffic at Kai Tak, the Airport, so the Spits would go up and dog fight almost every day. A couple of WW2 aces would square off against the young pilots and teach them "what's it's really all about"... it really was "the greatest show on earth".. a friend and i were walking down the long road to the terminal building when we heard the hum of some Merlins coming up behind us, it was a pair of "mosies" about 8 feet off the deck coming right at us. we jumped as they spilt and went by on either side of us, then came around again and the pilots took off he masks so we could see them laugh at us.. we jumped around and waved back.. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything!!..
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & also for sharing your interesting story.
@BobSmith-dk8nw4 ай бұрын
One thing about WWII was that it produced a lot of actors. One of them in _The Longest Day_ actually plays someone else having a conversation with another actor who is playing HIM. .
@wonjubhoy4 ай бұрын
That's Richard Todd you are talking about.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
@andrewfischer85644 ай бұрын
in another doc i learned the director didnt want to hear about pleasances pow experiance. it was charles bronson purple heart like 40 missions in a b29 who set the director straight. .
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your interesting story.
@alexbowman75823 ай бұрын
“For you the war is over” is very literal in that the POW’s usually became very friendly with the guards and after the war many former guards and POW’s would visit each other countries for holidays.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for the interesting feedback.
@harlangrove34753 ай бұрын
Maybe not his longest role, certainly not his most widely known, but Pleasance was outstanding in his role in The Greatest Story Ever Told.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting comment.
@jamesgarman47884 ай бұрын
Another great video Chris! On a side note, Marine Corps Fighter Ace Greg "Pappy" Boyington was awarded the Medal Of Honor after he was captured by the Japanese in January 44 but did not receive it until his liberation and return in October 45.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for that little bit of info about Greg "Pappy" Boyington.
@knobrobertson89953 ай бұрын
Also, the U.S. Navy's top submarine commander, Richard O'Kane. He was forced to work in the Ashio Copper Mine as a POW of the Japanese. I was fortunate to visit with him in the early '90s.
@knobrobertson89953 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap Excellent video, BTW
@ericteneyck86914 ай бұрын
You mentioned Bob Hoover. Hoover was described by Chuck Yeager as the greatest pilot he ever knew. High praise indeed. I knew Pleasence had been a POW, but thank you for fleshing out the story.
@neilcoligan86214 ай бұрын
I was fortunate to see Bob Hoover do a flying demonstration of jaw dropping quality at an air show in Windsor, Ontario. When he landed he emerged from the aircraft dressed as if headed to a day at the office.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Great story thanks for sharing
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thank you for taking the time to post your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my video.
@jeningle82884 ай бұрын
Great story Chris, thank you. Anyone out there hesitating on whether to become a member, believe me, its well worth supporting the History Chap.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment & for watching my video.
@davehoward224 ай бұрын
He knew my grandfather who lived on the same street in tinsley,sheffield and they were both in the raf
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your family story.
@davidlong14594 ай бұрын
In 1991 it was a privilege to see Donald in a masterful stage performance at the Lyceum Theatre Sheffield reviving his role in Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker. I had no idea of his POW back story at the time. Interesting to note from this video that he was back in the city of his schoolboy days for that performance. (Slightly surprised The Caretaker wasn’t mentioned in this given Donald Pleasance became synonymous with a play from its inception to its acceptance as a classic, however it is obvious his astounding talent is acknowledged amidst this engaging account).
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@davidlong14594 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap thanks for the video. Aside from interest in your content it triggered that great memory of him for me, so I looked up that performance. I found that it was a young unknown Colin Firth co-starring with him there a full 4 years before he emerged from the lake at Lyme Park as D’Arcy in Pride and Prejudice (to the delight of my wife and many others !)
@tadcoder28484 ай бұрын
Best Himmler ever in The Eagle has Landed.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Yes, very menacing.
@Linusgump4 ай бұрын
Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, of VMF 214, The Black Sheep, was also a Medal of Honor winner, and a POW of the Japanese.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for the feedback.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
@karahughes70744 ай бұрын
I love these vignettes of history. I wish you could do Christopher Lee, but I rather suspect his work was _so_ secret we won't know about it for decades. Hence the scene with Peter Jackson where Saruman is stabbed in the back and screams and Lee, apparently, turned to Jackson and murmured, 'You know if a man is stabbed in the back, they *can't* scream.' And when Jackson found out about his wartime service Jackson listened to him.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@invisibleray69874 ай бұрын
Poor FORGER, I didn't want him to die
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
I've rewatched that bit of the film, and it is sad.
@robertsolomielke51344 ай бұрын
TY. A man who showed up for a war, but on his own terms. Donald could be 50% of service men on that score.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@jcmurph44 ай бұрын
Very good tribute. That generation was a different breed of man.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.
@Brian-om2hh4 ай бұрын
Too right they were. The Germans took Douglas Bader's false legs off him, after his repeated attempts to escape from a POW camp...... These men were from another era......
@shantanusapru4 ай бұрын
Nice video! I had known about him being a POW, but this video provided a lot more info/detail. Thank you!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
@HarryWHill-GA4 ай бұрын
Chris, thank you for another fine video. You certainly have Pleasence of mind.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
I'm chuckling at the second part of your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
@michaelmanning53794 ай бұрын
Pleasance also played Septimus Harding in the T.V. adaptation of Trollop's "The Warden", the first of the Barchester Chronicles. He was brilliant! This can be found on KZbin. Regarding weight loss and forced marches by POWs, I read the memoire "A Ticket To Hell Via Dieppe" by a veteran who lost a third of his weight in captivity, only then to be forced march ever further away from the advancing western Allies.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your feedback & for watching my video.
@janlindtner3054 ай бұрын
Another well-paced and enjoyable lecture❤👍🤟
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
@QALibrary4 ай бұрын
The history Chap what History TV was meant to be
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Very kind of you, thanks. Live stream on Friday (1pm UK)
@UkrainianPaulie4 ай бұрын
He played a crazy Preacher in Will Penny alongside Charlton Heston in 1968.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment & fore watching my video.
@fedecano73624 ай бұрын
Let's hear it then, thanks for your content!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thank you for taking the time to comment
@grahambaker66644 ай бұрын
Great story about a great man. Your mention of Paul Brickhill made me think that his story could be interesting as so many of Paul's books were required reading for boys who grew up in the 60s.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Leave it with me and I will see what I can do.
@kennethrouse79424 ай бұрын
That's when I read Brickhill's book, but in the US. 😉👍
@WarMoose204 ай бұрын
Great video Chris! I really like your channel, you have a great presenting style and I love how you shine a light on topics that aren't as well known.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks, glad you enjoyed my video
@scottp90484 ай бұрын
Nice one Chris ! 👍
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.
@annettewalter22733 ай бұрын
A brilliant actor. Those eyes penetrated everything.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@piplee14393 ай бұрын
Well highlighted
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@janetmackinnon34113 ай бұрын
Thank you.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
My pleasure. Here is my latest video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX-boKBvd5amhaM
@tanks19454 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing this. I heard about his RAF experiences in Bomber Command. Brave man.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
@Brian-om2hh4 ай бұрын
George Cole - who played Arthur Daly in Minder - was also RAF aircrew during WW2.....
@davidwoods77204 ай бұрын
Awesome as always,thanks Chris
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
@Brian-om2hh4 ай бұрын
Hardy Kruger, who played Franz Von Werra, the only German POW to successfully escape from a British POW camp during WW2, in the movie The One That Got Away, was also an actual POW of the Americans during WW2....
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & your interesting feedback.
@sailordude20943 ай бұрын
According to another channel, Sturges found out about Pleasence being a POW from one of the other actors, fellow WW2 veteran Charles Bronson. Bronson angrily told the director after he heard him tell Pleasence to mind his own business. Donald made anything he was in better to watch. Some low budget films like Puma Man and Warrior of the Lost World where only watchable because he was in them! Thanks for the video!
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
My pleasure. Thanks so much for watching.
@j.tshark33134 ай бұрын
There is more to Stugess saying sorry than what is in the video. It was McQueen and Garner who pulled Sturgess up on what he said and how he said it. Sturgess apologized and then used DP experience on a daily basis
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your feedback.
@davidberlanny33084 ай бұрын
Hi Chris, very enjoyable video. What an amazing life he led. Its nice to know the director made ammends when he discovered his PoW experience. Have a great weekend!!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed my video & thanks for the feedback.
@tonywaterhouse52914 ай бұрын
great story Chris, enjoyed it
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching (or listening).
@BlueBaron33392 ай бұрын
Hubert "Hub" Zemke (ZEM-KEY) led a group called the Wolfpack. They flew P47 Thunderbolts and were respected by the Luftwaffe. Among their accomplishments was shooting down Gunther Rall who had 275 air victories and was later a key figure in the post war Luftwaffe. But when I think of famous actors who served I think of Ronald Colemen who was severely injured in WWI. His famous stately gait was actually an adaptation to his wounds. His remark that has stayed with me - "Young men left. Strangers returned."
@TheHistoryChap2 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting comments.
@ShaunTame-re5us4 ай бұрын
Fascinating, thank you!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@Laza3674 ай бұрын
Another great video mate, while I knew he had been a POW. The actual detail and information were very enlightening. On a side note, found quite ironic that Til Kiwe who played a German guard was a paratrooper in Africa Korp who tried several escape attempts in the USA where he had been a POW
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & your interesting comment.
@robmurphy8064 ай бұрын
5:37 correction, Pappy Boyington was also a MOH recipient and POW, but during the war he was presumed MIA.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@Af1st14 ай бұрын
Fascinating!I never knew any of this!A true hero!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
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@JoeBauers4 ай бұрын
Great channel and vid....
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thank you very much. Please make sure you subscribe (if you haven't already).
@FranciscoPreira4 ай бұрын
Again a great video thank you for sharing.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it.
@bettycrocker66923 ай бұрын
I think you should use the word "malnutrition" rather than malnourishment, when describing the cause of Pleasence's hospitalisation. Otherwise, a fine account. You should do a story about Christopher Lee, a real WWII badass, who went on to act the roles of vampires and sorcerers and everything in-between.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for the feedback.
@ColeEditsАй бұрын
Fucking legend. What a life!
@TheHistoryChap22 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@TheHistoryChap22 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@graceygrumble3 ай бұрын
Everyone is a conscientious objector, until the Luftwaffe starts being naughty.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@earnestwanderer24714 ай бұрын
60 missions. Shot down as and survived the war. Very fortunate.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Indeed. Thanks for taking the time to watch my video.
@tomtaylor61634 ай бұрын
Fantastic story! Please keep these coming so interesting. By the way that image of Dick Turpin kind of looks like Keith Moon?
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment & for watching my video.
@0ldb1ll3 ай бұрын
The fact that his Lancaster carried a crew of 8 (not 7), meant that his plane was one of the electronic warfare planes that hovered around the target jamming the enemy transmissions.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for your feedback & for watching my video
@josephturner75694 ай бұрын
So was Cpl Jones.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Yes, watch my video about Cpl. Jones.
@jeanettecoleman-mz7ie4 ай бұрын
Great actor, the older actors have such honest presence of the part theyre playing, great believeabilty, Donald Pleasance 👊
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@paulwoida82494 ай бұрын
He was also in a great episode of The Twilight Zone called For Whom The Bell Tolls. He was a retiring school teacher who learned a very important lesson on his final day of work.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback.
@jadger18714 ай бұрын
It's so nice that you didn't use those terrible AI generated pictures for this videos thumbnails. They're so annoying and it's hard to discern between your videos and the youtube ad spam.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the feedback & for watching my video
@blatherskite96014 ай бұрын
Thanks for the information. I never knew Pleasance was a serious person.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
@lauramiller49393 ай бұрын
I'll always remember the Twilight Zone episode: Changing of the Guard, where Donald portrayed an elderly professor suddenly forced to retire. Looking back on his life he believed he'd done nothing to inspire his students (boys' school) and was going to take his own life when something wonderful happens to show him that he was wrong. Such a wonderful episode.
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to comment.
@arslongavitabrevis51364 ай бұрын
Not being a Brit I discovered Donald Pleasance in "The Eagle Has Landed". In the 1990s I was living in Australia where I watched him in the magnificent BBC production of Anthony Trollope´s "The Barchester Chronicles" (1982) He shared the screen with two other great actors now also sadly gone: Alan Rickman and Nigel Hawthorne. The episode of "Columbo" where Donald Pleasance gave another great performance is called "Any Old Port in a Storm" (1973) and is available on YT. Cheers!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your interesting feedback.
@arslongavitabrevis51364 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap My plesure Chris! Thank you for all your excellent videos!
@davidgray33214 ай бұрын
Good one, 60 missions is a great deal. Well done old boy.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my viideo.
@billywird4 ай бұрын
One of my favorite actors.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@expatexpat65314 ай бұрын
Donald Pleasance was a much underrated actor. Watch his performance in the seminal Australian film Wake in Fright (available on YT).
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to share.
@phann8604 ай бұрын
60 missions and surviving being shot down in a Lancaster. Did he volunteer for a second tour as I thought 30 missions was a standard tour. Whatever an extremely lucky man who lived a full life. Another excellent video.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my vdeo.
@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f4 ай бұрын
Mark, memory fails me and can't access my archive files in the middle of a move but there is a once very well known British 'Top Notch' cameraman who filmed all the classic flight adventure movies of the 60s/70s, etc. Killed in a air collision on his last film - a tragedy. Shot down as aicrew in mid-'43, he found help and evaded with help from good patriots. Ultimately arrested in mid-December, along with many other collected for special, 1st time mass evacuation, at a RR station in east Paris. Largest number of arrests in one place up to that date - half the number assembled were arrested. The other half escapded with more adventures and close calls (some assisted by the Abwehr - who always let a few escape to see where they went) The personalities he met and his group of 4 other would be evaders are remarkable without exception. Their betrayer has never been officially identified by one person is highy suspect. This mass arrest was the first of a series that would all but destroy all French evacuation lines in preperation for the D-Day all knew was coming. You'll be able to sniff him out with clues given. If I can help with more of this long forgotten extraordinary affair leave a relpy. I have all their KEW & NARA files.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your interesting story.
@jameswaterfield4 ай бұрын
Wouldn't a blind POW have been returned to their country of origin as they would not have been able to serve anymore?
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Not sure but don’t forget the film(& book) were a story not a documentary
@ludwigderzanker97674 ай бұрын
As a child I always frightened by the appearance of Pleasant a real vain. Imagine, the flying POW of all west allies were the luckiest of all inhabitants in the Stalags of whole Germany and it's bitter to think about the rest. They were at least the guys who are treated with respect and earned this for sure. All the best Ludwig.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your input.
@jon90214 ай бұрын
He’s in my favourite “Columbo” episode. Great actor.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@piplee14393 ай бұрын
Just come across you Well done Both he and Butterworth…. Proper
@TheHistoryChap3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video .glad you enjoyed it.
@dukeleto77874 ай бұрын
I'd like to see how accurate the ministry of ungentlemanly warfare is also
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@rayjohnsonjohnson4458Ай бұрын
Don't forget Denholm Elliot who was also a POW.
@TheHistoryChap27 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching my video
@formwiz70964 ай бұрын
His descrition in the movie of being shot down was classic. And his skill as an actor was showcased in a few brief lines on an SNL skit where he played (chillingly) a child molester on a radio call-in show.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for your comments.
@davidwhite48744 ай бұрын
Agreed on 'The Eagle Has Landed'. I got the book as a Christmas present when I was a kid. Loved that book. It has remained my first choice of clue-giving when playing charades.........not that I've played charades in a while.......
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Glad I am not alone. Great story, especially the opening.
@davidwhite48744 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap Oh Gawd! I can't remember it! I last read it over 40 years ago. I'll have to re-read it.
@davidwhite48744 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap Just tried watching the film. Couldn't stomach it.
@31terikennedy8 күн бұрын
Actually Hoover escaped in a FW 190.
@TheHistoryChap7 күн бұрын
Thanks for the feedback.
@Philcopson4 ай бұрын
The caption at 1.22 needs amending: The narration says that "...whilst being a clerk might have suited his father, it really didn't work for Donald." However - the caption states that it "really did..."
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your feedback. Now corrected.
@andrewsteele76634 ай бұрын
Thank you for another amazing telling of a brilliant story. Cheers
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it & thanks for watching my video.
@murrayeldred35634 ай бұрын
TOP MAN was Pleasence and the History Chap is an excellent presenter.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment & for watching my video.
@thedisabledwelshman92664 ай бұрын
brilliant
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thank you very much.
@craftygriffo4 ай бұрын
Great video. You vary your pronunciation of "Stalag" between correct German and English ( "shtalag"/"stalag"). Also the German for "one" is "eins". "Ein" (which you use) is the indefinite article.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback.
@bananabrooks38364 ай бұрын
"A mechanical failure"? The plane ran out of fuel. Aah, Garner says "We're losing power. Carb, fuel pump, l don't know" so it's unclear.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@annehersey98954 ай бұрын
I remember him from one of my favorite TV Shows as a kid, Robin Hood!
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video.
@annehersey98954 ай бұрын
@@TheHistoryChap I love your channel and all the backstories! One recently made me wish we had gotten the Carry On films across the pond. His story was so interesting! Thank YOU!
@johna11604 ай бұрын
Pow wow is a Native American term meaning large gathering that was adopted by English settlers in the seventeenth century that is still in use today throughout the U.S.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the input.
@greybirdo4 ай бұрын
It’s a little surprising that a man who flew more than 60 Ops wasn’t awarded a DFC, specially since most of them were during Bomber Command’s darkest days.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Interesting point. I wonder whether why this operators didn’t count as much as pilots.
@MichaelDobran-is7pr4 ай бұрын
Have you done a show on Denholm Elliot who was also a POW ? if not I think you should. From Mick.D.
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
@Thenogomogo-zo3un4 ай бұрын
Overheard at a pub by my Grandmother, a RAF pilot says to a US Paratrooper (recognisable by the tucked in jump boots) 1944 RAF Pilot, "My, you boys are very brave, getting all dressed up to jump out of a perfectly good aircraft' US Paratrooper "Huh?" RAF Pilot, "I've been doing that for the last five years, haven't succeeded yet!" US Paratrooper "Huh?" RAF Pilot "Good luck, old chap, I'm the 'Bus driver' who will get you to your destination safely" She, my Grandmother RIP 1979
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your family story.
@SteveHB594 ай бұрын
How about a story on the V rockets
@TheHistoryChap4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
@cupholder77584 ай бұрын
Donald Pleasance once suggested to James Garner that he should do Shakespeare. Garner laughed 😂