The Interesting Military Career of Sir Michael Caine

blackswan40 · 04-09-21, 06:23 AM

The Interesting Military Career of Sir Michael Caine and is experiances in Korea

Most know Michael Caine for his roles in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, Zulu, Austin Powers, and The Italian Job, among a plethora of other roles spanning his seventy-plus year acting career. However, what you might not realize is, Caine is a veteran of the British Army. His two-year military career included time in combat during the Korean War. This traumatic time with the British Army would leave him with scars for many years to come.
Caine was called up for national service in 1952. He served with the British Army’s Fusiliers, which is an infantry regiment. He was originally posted with the British Army Of The Rhine (BAOR), a British occupation force stationed in Germany after World War II. Caine was only in Germany for a few months, however, before electing to transfer to Korea where the war was in full swing.
Caine spent a year in Korea, and he left the country a profoundly changed man. He used his time in the military as an aid for many of the roles he played. He had a very humble beginning to his life in South London. But, Caine ended up becoming one of the most beloved icons of British and international film. Now in his late 80s, Caine is still acting and has stated he has no plans to retire yet.

Enjoy.

Commander Wallace · 04-09-21, 06:26 PM

Nice piece on Sir Michael Caine. I had no idea but somehow I'm not surprised of the military service of Mr. Caine. Something else that may be of interest is the Military service of James Doohan, otherwise known as Montgomery Scott or Scotty, from Star trek.

Quote: James Doohan served in the 14th Field Artillery Regiment of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. He also served as a pilot. He saw combat in Europe during World War II, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy, in which he was wounded, apparently by friendly fire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Doohan

Jimbuna · 04-11-21, 04:41 AM

Always good to see people giving recognition but never forget, the vast majority that served never became household names.

Commander Wallace · 04-12-21, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Always good to see people giving recognition but never forget, the vast majority that served never became household names.

While this is true, there are many here who have served in the armed forces of their respective countries and I'm sure will never forget the military service of those who gave it their all and or made the ultimate sacrifices.

vienna · 04-13-21, 05:02 AM

I once saw Caine on an episode of Dinah Shore's daytime 70' talk show; she asked him about the stories she'd heard of his and his UK acting cronies' drinking escapades and brought out a big pitcher of beer and two pint glasses and challenged Caine to a beer chugging contest to see who could down a pint the fastest; Caine, ever the gentleman poured Dinah a pint into her glass and stated he was ready for the contest; Dinah noted he hadn't poured out his glass yet and Caine "That's OK, I'm all set"; Dinah was a bit perplexed, but just shrugged and counted "1-2-3 Go!"; as Dinah lifted her glass, Caine lifted the big pitcher, and downed the whole thing in one go, much to the amazement of Dinah, who just stood there, gawking; Caine looked at her and said, "What? Do you want a rematch?"...

Caine did sayt one thing in that interview that has always stuck with me; Dinah asked why it seemed he would take roles in some films that appeared to be beneath his acting abilities; he replied that he came from a working class background and people from there don't get to be be picky about the jobs they do; as he put it, "If I were plumber, I wouldn't refuse a job just because I didn't like the house or because I thought the homeowners were beneath me; if I'm a plumber, I do the job I've trained for; I'm an actor and that is what I do and I will do a role, even if others might question if its good for my career, because I am an actor and that is what I do, and, even if it may be a lesser job, at least I'm working and I might even learn something from the experience." When I've had jobs or projects offered that at first glance night have seemed to be of a lesser quality, I've hearkened back to Caine's statement and decided that being a working, paid 'plumber' may not be so bad...

<O>

04-09-21, 06:23 AM	#1
blackswan40 GWX - KC Crash Test Dummy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: IN THE STEEL SHARKS VIRTUAL OCEAN Posts: 2,782 Downloads: 603 Uploads: 31	The Interesting Military Career of Sir Michael Caine The Interesting Military Career of Sir Michael Caine and is experiances in Korea Most know Michael Caine for his roles in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, Zulu, Austin Powers, and The Italian Job, among a plethora of other roles spanning his seventy-plus year acting career. However, what you might not realize is, Caine is a veteran of the British Army. His two-year military career included time in combat during the Korean War. This traumatic time with the British Army would leave him with scars for many years to come. Caine was called up for national service in 1952. He served with the British Army’s Fusiliers, which is an infantry regiment. He was originally posted with the British Army Of The Rhine (BAOR), a British occupation force stationed in Germany after World War II. Caine was only in Germany for a few months, however, before electing to transfer to Korea where the war was in full swing. Caine spent a year in Korea, and he left the country a profoundly changed man. He used his time in the military as an aid for many of the roles he played. He had a very humble beginning to his life in South London. But, Caine ended up becoming one of the most beloved icons of British and international film. Now in his late 80s, Caine is still acting and has stated he has no plans to retire yet. Enjoy. __________________ Someone Had to Make the Tea

04-09-21, 06:26 PM	#2
Commander Wallace Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Under the sea in an Octupus garden in the shade Posts: 5,294 Downloads: 366 Uploads: 0	Nice piece on Sir Michael Caine. I had no idea but somehow I'm not surprised of the military service of Mr. Caine. Something else that may be of interest is the Military service of James Doohan, otherwise known as Montgomery Scott or Scotty, from Star trek. Quote: James Doohan served in the 14th Field Artillery Regiment of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. He also served as a pilot. He saw combat in Europe during World War II, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy, in which he was wounded, apparently by friendly fire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Doohan Last edited by Commander Wallace; 04-10-21 at 09:04 AM.

04-11-21, 04:41 AM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,461 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Always good to see people giving recognition but never forget, the vast majority that served never became household names. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-13-21, 05:02 AM	#5
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I once saw Caine on an episode of Dinah Shore's daytime 70' talk show; she asked him about the stories she'd heard of his and his UK acting cronies' drinking escapades and brought out a big pitcher of beer and two pint glasses and challenged Caine to a beer chugging contest to see who could down a pint the fastest; Caine, ever the gentleman poured Dinah a pint into her glass and stated he was ready for the contest; Dinah noted he hadn't poured out his glass yet and Caine "That's OK, I'm all set"; Dinah was a bit perplexed, but just shrugged and counted "1-2-3 Go!"; as Dinah lifted her glass, Caine lifted the big pitcher, and downed the whole thing in one go, much to the amazement of Dinah, who just stood there, gawking; Caine looked at her and said, "What? Do you want a rematch?"... Caine did sayt one thing in that interview that has always stuck with me; Dinah asked why it seemed he would take roles in some films that appeared to be beneath his acting abilities; he replied that he came from a working class background and people from there don't get to be be picky about the jobs they do; as he put it, "If I were plumber, I wouldn't refuse a job just because I didn't like the house or because I thought the homeowners were beneath me; if I'm a plumber, I do the job I've trained for; I'm an actor and that is what I do and I will do a role, even if others might question if its good for my career, because I am an actor and that is what I do, and, even if it may be a lesser job, at least I'm working and I might even learn something from the experience." When I've had jobs or projects offered that at first glance night have seemed to be of a lesser quality, I've hearkened back to Caine's statement and decided that being a working, paid 'plumber' may not be so bad... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __