Where to Watch
Checking availability in your country…
Cast
Glenn Ford
as Capt. Jared Heath
Stella Stevens
as Martha Lou Williams
Melvyn Douglas
as Col. Claude Brackenbury
Jim Backus
as Gen. Willoughby
Joan Blondell
as Easy Jenny
Andrew Prine
as Pvt. Owen Selous
Jesse Pearson
as Cpl. Silas Geary
Alan Hale Jr.
as Sgt. Beauregard Davis
James Griffith
as Hugo Zattig
Whit Bissell
as Capt. Queeg
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1964
Runtime1h 37m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationNR
GenresComedy, War, Western
Votes13
DirectorGeorge Marshall
WritersSamuel A. Peeples, William Bowers
TypeFeature Film
Rating5.2 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsAdvance to the Rear
About Advance to the Rear
As punishment for their incompetence in battle, disgraced Union soldier Capt. Jared Heath and his apathetic commanding officer, Col. Claude Brackenbury, are reassigned away from the front lines. The hapless Heath and Brackenbury must now lead a ragtag group on a classified mission to protect a transport for the U.S. Treasury. Complicating matters is Martha Lou Williams, a Confederate agent posing as a lady of the evening.
Directed by George Marshall, Advance to the Rear leans on a strong ensemble — Glenn Ford, Stella Stevens, Melvyn Douglas — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1964.
Read More on the Blog
You Might Also Like
More like Advance to the Rear, picked from what people are watching
5.9What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
1966 5.9
A by-the-book Captain is ordered to capture a strategic village in Italy. The Italian soldiers are willing to surrender, if they can have a festival first. The lieutenant convinces the Captain this is the only way. Because of aerial reconnaissance, they must look like they are fighting. To sort this out an intelligence officer is sent in. Meanwhile the festival gets complicated with the Mayors daughter.
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
1966
6.9The Horse Soldiers
1959 6.9
A Union Cavalry outfit is sent behind confederate lines in strength to destroy a rail supply center. Along with them is sent a doctor who causes instant antipathy between him and the commander. The secret plan for the mission is overheard by a southern belle who must be taken along to assure her silence.
The Horse Soldiers
1959
6.8Buck Privates
1941 6.8
Petty con artists Slicker Smith and Herbie Brown mistakenly join the Army evading the cops. The cop chasing them winds up as their drill instructor. A rich young man and his former working class chauffeur are not only in the same unit, they're vying for a pretty girl who seems attracted to both.
Buck Privates
1941
6.8Shoulder Arms
1918 6.8
An American doughboy, stationed in France during the Great War, goes on a daring mission behind enemy lines and becomes a hero.
Shoulder Arms
1918
6.4Carry On Sergeant
1958 6.4
Sergeant Grimshawe wants to retire in the flush of success by winning the Star Squad prize with his very last platoon of newly called-up National Servicemen. But a motley bunch they turn out to be, and it's up to Grimshawe to put the no-hopers through their paces.
Carry On Sergeant
1958
5.9You Can't Win 'Em All
1970 5.9
During the 1922 Turkish Civil War, two Americans and a group of foreign mercenaries offer their services to a local Turkish governor who hires them as guards for a secret transport.
You Can't Win 'Em All
1970
User Reviews
5.2
Community rating
Loading reviews…
From the Blog
All Posts
News
Lanterns OTT Release Date: DC’s Green Lantern Series Hits JioHotstar Aug 17
DC’s Green Lantern series Lanterns arrives on JioHotstar in India on August 17, 2026. Here is where to watch it, who is in it, and why it is one of the year’s biggest superhero shows.
News
Michael OTT Release Date: The Michael Jackson Biopic Streams August 29
The Michael Jackson biopic arrives on JioHotstar on August 29, 2026. Here is where to watch it, what you need, and why it is one of the year’s biggest music films.
News
Jana Nayagan OTT Release Date: When Vijay’s Film Streams on ZEE5
Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan is headed to ZEE5 for its digital premiere. Here is the latest on its OTT release date and where to watch, updated as news is confirmed.