IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Time for Weymouth to shine in Dunkirk as town's wartime history is remembered

Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk – which features scenes shot in Weymouth and Swanage - hits the cinemas tomorrow and reviews are glowing for the wartime epic which documents the evacuation of more than 300,000 British and Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, during the Second World War.

In May 1940, Germany advanced into France, surrounding Allied troops and leaving them trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under cover from British and French forces, troops were evacuated from the beach by a hurriedly assembled fleet of every working vessel that could be found.

The evacuations took place between May 26 and June 4, 1940.
Despite being no victory, it is one of the key success stories of British history. Some see Hitler’s failure to capture the British army at Dunkirk as one of the central turning points of the war. 

A large amount of the much-anticipated blockbuster was filmed on location, and the spotlight turned to Weymouth when pop star Harry Styles joined Nolan along with fellow actors including Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy, to descend on the harbour for shooting. 

Passers-by enjoyed an exciting week watching areas of the harbour quayside transform back to 1940, with the removal of signs of the 21st century. Historic vehicles lined the harbour and a fleet of heritage vessels were moored along the quay wall. 

Cinema-goers watching the film may recognise a boat that is part of Weymouth’s marine history.

HMS ‘Medusa’, a harbour defence motor launch vessel that had a home in Weymouth for 18 years, was used during the filming of Dunkirk. The 50-tonne vessel was built in 1943, too late for Dunkirk, but took part in the D-Day Normandy landings. 

Built of wood and powered by diesel engines, the small but mighty boat was transported wherever it was needed during the war. 

Medusa spent a month in Dunkirk whilst being used for filming. 

Mike Boyce, from Weymouth, who was Medusa’s skipper for 45 years, says he is proud and excited to be seeing her on the big screen. 

He said: “She spent 18 years in Weymouth and Portland – over those years we did a complete major refit and took her all over the place.

“[Seeing her on the film] is a result of all the work that was carried out over the years. If it hadn’t been for all that work she wouldn’t be here today."

Mike eagerly anticipates the film alongside his wife Pam, who also celebrates Medusa’s long history. 

She said: “A month filming for ‘Dunkirk’ was another great opportunity to promote Medusa as an authentic wartime vessel, whose story will continue to be told for many generations to come. And it all started here at Weymouth and Portland.”

Cllr Richard Kosior, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s spokesman for tourism, culture and harbour, said: “The retained heritage of our harbour is what helped attract Warner Bros to film in our area.

“Our harbour team worked tirelessly at short notice to help transform the harbour into what you will see in the film. I’m sure the team will be extremely pleased to see the results of their hard work on the big screen.

“It’s exciting for the many local extras to be looking out for themselves in the film, including our very own Cllr Colin Huckle.”

The film’s underlying bleakness and sparse dialogue have been praised by reviewers who have deemed it realistic and true to the event. 

Press Association reviewer Damon Smith described the film as ‘breath-taking’. He said: “Nolan adopts a stripped back approach to storytelling that jettisons dialogue for long sequences.

“By keeping his script lean, Nolan allows us to remain white-knuckle taut in our seats for the duration.”

Others have called it ‘heroically British’ and Nolan’s ‘best film so far’.

It will be in cinemas across the UK from Friday, July 21. 

Harry Styles

Weymouth on the big screen: 

Locals and visitors to Weymouth are eagerly awaiting the release of Dunkirk. 

Excitement surrounded the production crew’s visit to the town to shoot scenes for the film in 2016, and tomorrow will see Weymouth lit up on the big screen as the film is released in cinemas. 

Jeff and Ann Gorton, from Weymouth, said: “We would go and see it. It [Dunkirk] is something that has been with us all our lives, while we have been brought up.

“The soldiers fought to keep us free. If they hadn’t, you or I would not be here today. 

Jeff and Ann are excited for Weymouth to be thrust into the spotlight. They said: “It’s one of the most popular seaside towns in the country. Anything is good if it promotes the town. People from Weymouth will love to see it in the cinema.”

Robert Gutteridge, owner of the Tea Cabin on the seafront, said: “If Weymouth manages to get any kind of publicity, it will be a good thing - maybe they will mention Weymouth in the credits, or the actors would like to say how enjoyable their stay was. 

“It can only be a positive thing for Weymouth.”

Josh Searle, who works at the Coffee Saloon on St Thomas Street, said: “I auditioned to be an extra with my brother when they came here, but I wasn’t picked. 

“I was sad not to be in it but it’s going to be a great film and I’m really glad Weymouth is a part of it.”

RESCUE: Soldiers are picked up from the beach at Dunkirk during the evacuation in 1940

The history of Weymouth's role in Dunkirk

AS an important port, Weymouth played its part in receiving troops from Dunkirk during the Second World War. 

On May 26 1940,Operation Dynamo, the evacuation from Dunkirk, began. Vessels from Weymouth and Portland were called to help lift British and allied troops from the French beaches. 

Smaller vessels headed for Weymouth from France, whilst troopships sailed for Southampton, and coasters for Poole. Numerous refugees from Europe arrived at Weymouth and Portland harbours during the evacuation, and special trains took refugees from Weymouth Quay to London Paddington. 

Between May 8 and June 3, the Great Western Railway Chief Docks Manager at Weymouth reported the arrival at Weymouth of more than 3,700 refugees and ‘hundreds of bicycles’.

Weymouth showed a warm welcome to French soldiers, the ‘Poilus’, who had been evacuated from Dunkirk. Private schools and houses in Weymouth housed refugees for the night, or even days, whilst soldiers accommodated themselves there. 

Residents rallied together and attempted to make the soldiers feel comfortable, feeding and clothing them as they recovered from their journey. The Emperor of India, a paddle steamer bought for service out of Weymouth, played her part in the Dunkirk evacuation.

Mary Scott, a Norfolk and Suffolk-class lifeboat from Southwold, was towed to Dunkirk by Emperor of India together with two other boats. Between them they took nearly 200 men to ships which would transport them away.

Emperor of India left Weymouth under tow on January 24, 1957 for scrapping at Bruges in Belgium.