Steve MacKendrick (Alan Ladd), nicknamed "Canada" because he claims he is from the country, volunteers in 1940 for the British military's parachute training facility.

Both Penny and his new commander, Major Snow (Leo Genn), see potential (and a mystery that does not add up) in him, despite his strong efforts to avoid assuming any responsibility.

An RAF radar expert, Flight Sergeant Box (John Boxer), accompanies the raiders to retrieve a key component to take back to Britain.

He tells Penny that he resigned his commission from the USAAF after ordering his best friend and co-pilot to parachute out of their bomber when an experimental rocket got stuck.

Although Snow and most of the men get out, the regimental sergeant major (Harry Andrews) dies from the wounds he received when he entered the minefield.

[3] Film rights were bought by Irving Allen who announced Trevor Howard and Leo Genn for the leading roles.

[6] Terence Young's original choice for the lead, former Second World War Para Richard Todd turned the role down, saying "I did not like this script, probably because I was still rather serious-minded about anything to do with theAirborne Forces and thought it an over-fictionalised treatment.

Ladd was paid US$200,000, first class travel and accommodations for himself, his wife, their four children and their nurse, and 10 per cent of the gross receipts over US$2,000,000 for his 11 weeks work filming The Red Beret.

[12] In addition to director Young and screenwriter Maibaum, camera operator Ted Moore and stuntman Bob Simmons worked extensively on future Warwick and Eon Productions films, as did actor Walter Gotell, who appeared as a German sentry.

[14] The female lead was originally meant to be played by Dianne Foster but she was unable to make it due to a scheduling conflict.

Alan Ladd was initially attached to the American Air Force Film Unit but was discharged due to stomach disorders.

[16] The film had a simultaneous premiere at the Empire, Leicester Square in London and at Moascar in the Suez Canal Zone staged by the Army Kinema Corporation on 14 August 1953.