
It was hailed as a miracle when the 330,000 Allied troops surrounded by Nazi forces in France were evacuated in a daring operation between May 27 and June 4 1940.

So it was little surprise to see award-winning director Christopher Nolan marshaling the on-camera action much like a general, as the cast and crew of Dunkirk movie continued to film intense and explosively dramatic scenes at Malo les Bains, France, on Monday.

Commanding an army of 1,500 extras, two of his leading men and a plethora of machinery, including cranes and planes, the 45-year-old director certainly seemed to be pulling out all the stops for the epic World War II film.

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Explosive scenes: Award-winning director Christopher Nolan marshaling the on-camera action much like a general, as the cast and crew of Dunkirk movie continued to film intense and explosively dramatic scenes at Malo les Bains, France, on Monday

Clearly at pains to produce a celluloid masterpiece on par with his previous smash-hits - which include the likes of The Dark Knight and Inception - the London-born film maker was on the beach and very much at the helm, talking through every set piece and shot with both the cast and crew.

And it seems the director attention to detail wasn't just focused on the action surrounding young leads Fionn Whitehead and Tom Glynn-Carney, who were seen on set in their costumes for the first time, but also a number of machines which had been enlisted for some of the more action-packed shots.

Taking charge of the cast and crew, who are currently filming on location in Dunkirk itself, Christopher had clearly planned each scene meticulously - as each mammoth shot looked to be picture perfect - with actors and extras filming dramatic and explosive shots.

Commanding an army of 1,500 extras, two of his leading men and a plethora of machinery, including cranes and planes, the 45-year-old director certainly seemed to be pulling out all the stops for the epic World War II film.

Ready for the limelight? Fionn Whitehead was the focus of some of the action on the beach, and the actor looked well prepared for his breakout role in the epic World War II film

The director had drafted in a crane for one particular scene, which saw one of the extras hoisted into the air and dangling precariously from a harness and wires.

Helped into his harness by a group of men clad in British army uniform, the daring stuntman was then plucked up into the air by whilst a number of other extras positioned themselves lying flat on the beach.

As filming recommenced an explosion went off near-by, sending black smoke into the air as the stuntman swung around - presumably filming a scene in which the beach is shelled.

High-flying stuff: The director had drafted in a crane for one particular scene, which saw one of the extras hoisted into the air and dangling precariously from a harness and wires

Explosive scenes: As filming recommenced an explosion went off near-by, sending black smoke into the air as the stuntman swung around - presumably filming a scene in which the beach is shelled

And the action wasn't just contained to the beach, as Christopher had also drafted in a fleet of vehicles, which included a spitfire a French T-47 Class Destroyer, Maillé-Brézé.

Alongside the ship, which has been anchored near the beach since filming commenced, Supermarine Spitfire - the RAF's famed single-seater fighter of the period - have been put through their paces in aerial shots.

And the Rolls Royce-powered fighters weren't alone in the sky wither, as two helicopters were also drafted in to film the planes in action as well as aerial shots of the beach.

Battle of the bay? Alongside a French destroyer, which has been anchored near the beach since filming commenced, Supermarine Spitfire - the RAF's famed single-seater fighter of the period - have been put through their paces in aerial shots for the film

Take to the skies! The Rolls Royce-powered fighters weren't alone in the sky wither, as two helicopters were also drafted in to film the planes in action as well as aerial shots of the beach

Covering all the angels: Capturing the action from the sea, Christopher enlisted the help of a boat, on which was mounted a robotic, gyroscopicallly-stabilized camera crane - equipment which is readily used in Hollywood for car chase and fast-paced action scenes

And capturing the action on the beach from the sea, Christopher enlisted the help of a boat, on which he had his team mount a robotic, gyroscopicallly-stabilized camera crane - equipment which is readily used in Hollywood for car chase and fast-paced action scenes.

Clearly taking inspiration from the 'Golden age' of Hollywood, the Interstellar director used the army of extras and vehicles to film dramatic scenes, which saw soldiers running for their lives across the sand and through the surf as shells exploded on the sands.

With huge plumes of black smoke billowing in the background, Christopher appeared determined to create as realistic an experience as possible for his cast.

Thinking BIG: Clearly taking inspiration from the 'Golden age' of Hollywood, the Interstellar director used the army of extras and vehicles to film dramatic scenes, which saw soldiers running for their lives across the sand and through the surf as shells exploded on the sands

A Hellish scene: With huge plumes of black smoke billowing in the background, Christopher appeared determined to create as realistic an experience as possible for his cast

Explosive scenes: Diving away from planned explosive set-pieces, ,members of the cast, stuntmen and extras created a true air of drama and desperation as the shoot got well underway

A sense of realism: As the smoke cleared the men were seen laying prone on the ground with some pretending to be wounded and dying

Diving away from planned explosive set-pieces, ,members of the cast, stuntmen and extras created a true air of drama and desperation as the shoot got well underway.

During the scenes Christopher could be seen pacing around the actors, giving directions and overseeing his vast crew, who were handing out rifles to some of the extras.

And it seems the blockbuster director was paying close attention to every single detail, as throughout the shoot many actors were seen changing their costumes, losing items or being swaddled in bandages.

And... action! It wasn't just sweeping shots from afar, the crew used a camera on a track to get close-up gritty shots of the men rolling around in the sand and surf as the explosions went off

Master of all he can surveys: During the scenes Christopher could be seen pacing around the actors, giving directions and overseeing his vast crew, who were handing out rifles to some of the extras

The walking wounded: It seems the blockbuster director was paying close attention to every single detail, as throughout the shoot many actors were seen changing their costumes, losing items or being swaddled in bandages

Ready for his close-up: Christopher stuck close to the camera crew as they filmed a close-up shot of Fionn and one of his co-stars

Fionn, who is set to have his big break in the film, was spotted in full costume on set for the first time; clearly at ease with his breakout role as one of the film's young leads alongside One Direction star, Harry Styles.

Clad in a voluminous olive great coat, and green military fatigues, boots and utility belts and harnesses, the handsome young actor looked every inch the future leading man as he was put through his paces by Christopher - who hand-picked him for the film.

Back in March it was revealed by The Wrap that the Dark Knight Rises director had decided to cast Fionn - who has so far only one minor credit to his name for ITV horror series, Him.

Breakout boy: Fionn, who is set to have his big break in the film, was spotted in full costume on set for the first time; clearly at ease with his breakout role as one of the film's young leads alongside One Direction star, Harry Styles

An eye for talent? Back in March it was revealed by The Wrap that the Dark Knight Rises director had decided to cast Fionn - who has so far only one minor credit to his name for ITV horror series, Him

Looking the part: Clad in a voluminous olive great coat, and green military fatigues, boots and utility belts and harnesses, the handsome young actor looked every inch the future leading man as he was put through his paces by Christopher - who hand-picked him for the film

Directions to stardom: The Batman director appeared keen to make every scene perfect, and was seen giving instructions to the crew and Fionn during some the young actor's close-ups

Preened and primed: The young actor received a touch up to his slicked and waxed locks during the shoot

Pearls of wisdom: Throughout the day's shoot Christopher was seen chatting to his young leading man, and Fionn seemed keen to learn all he could from the director

Also on set was Fionn's co-star, Aneurin Barnard, who is best known for his role as Boris Drubetskoy in the BBC's adaption of War And Peace.

The 29-year-old Welsh actor has had his curly dark hair chopped off, and sported a short back and sides to fit in with the look of a soldier in the 1940s - something his co-star Harry has to do too.

Clad in similar kit to Fionn, the actor certainly looked as though he'd stepped straight out of the war - though instead of a great coat he sported a cropped military jacket.

Some light refreshments: The young actor and one of his co-stars took a much needed refreshment break when the cameras paused

War not peace: Also on set was Fionn's co-star, Aneurin Barnard, who is best known for his role as Boris Drubetskoy in the BBC's adaption of War And Peace

On Thursday the army of extras was reduced to 325, who were spotted lined up on the beaches of Dunkirk, in the exact spot where 76 years ago this week 338,000 British, French and Belgian troops were evacuated in Operation Dynamo.

Assembled fittingly in military columns, the director's leading men Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance and One Direction singer Harry Styles were nowhere to be seen amongst the host.

The spectacular scenes were reminiscent of Winston Churchill's landmark speech delivered the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 4 June 1940, after the Allied troops were evacuated from the beaches of northern France.

As the actors spilled onto the beaches and Spitfires soared above the sea, the former Prime Minister's famous words came to mind.

War and a grand scale: Unlike Thursday's shoot, Christopher had called upon the full might of his entire cast and crew; showing the true scale of his epic vision for the war film

Still flying the flag: On Thursday the army of extras was reduced to 325, who were spotted lined up on the beaches of Dunkirk, in the exact spot where 76 years ago this week 338,000 British, French and Belgian troops were evacuated in Operation Dynamo

Period detail: Dressed in full military uniform the hundreds of extras were lined up on the beach as the cameras rolled

Trick of the eye: Some extras were placed beside cardboard cut-outs of troops which Nolan has been spotted using on set all week in order to create the illusion of a bigger crowd

'We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be', he declared.

'We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.'

Dressed in full military uniform the hundreds of extras were lined up on the beach, some standing, some seated as the cameras rolled.

Some extras were placed beside cardboard cut-outs of troops which Nolan has been spotted using on set all week in order to create the illusion of a bigger crowd.

Nolan is said to be keen to rely on inexpensive tricks like the cut-outs and a huge number of extras to create a sense of realism.

Epic scenes: The troops ran along the beach for Nolan's sweeping evacuation scenes

Live action: Nolan, the man behind Instellar and Batman, is said to be keen to avoid too many digital effects

Large cast: Instead, the director is relying on inexpensive tricks like the cut-outs and a huge number of extras

Dramatic scenes: While the budget for the US blockbuster has not yet been confirmed the director was previously given close to $150 million for each of his previous two big titles - The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar

Attention to detail: Instead of CGI, the noted filmmaker has spent his budget on making sure every period detail is perfect, even bringing in a French T-47 Class Destroyer Maillé-Brézé to add to the authenticity of the film

Military action: Naval destroyers and various ships were seen out at sea during Thursday's filming

All lined up: The men waited around for hours in the water as they re-enacted the military operation

While the budget for the US blockbuster has not yet been confirmed the director was previously given close to $150 million for each of his previous two big titles - The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar.

Instead of CGI, the noted filmmaker has spent his budget on making sure every period detail is perfect, as show by his insistence to use real vehicles and actors instead of using computers.

While the troops stood to attention, large plumes of smoke billowed in the distance as effects teams got to work on controlled explosions.

War on the silver screen: While the troops stood to attention, large plumes of smoke billowed in the distance as effects teams got to work on controlled explosions

Monumental operation: Nolan's film opens in 1940 with hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops hemmed in by the German army on the beaches of northern France

Taking them home: The British launched Operation Dynamo to save them and between May 7 and June 4, 338,000 arrived safely in England

Attention! Extras waved flags as they lined up with their cardboard counterparts and received direction from the crew

They're coming: The men cheered as the cameras captured the moment that thousands were rescued from the beaches

Every little detail: The hundreds of extras were all kitted out in 1940s military uniforms down to the final details

Heavy lifting: Actors carry cardboard cutouts down the beach as they prepare for the scene

Fanning out: The cardboard cutouts were being tended to by a team of extras and crew members

A bit wooded: The crew have also been using dummies to simulate bloodied and battered bodies

Man of the hour: Christopher Nolan was spotted making his way across the set alongside the cast and crew

Devastation: The casualties of war were also represented as extras carried men strapped to stretchers across the beach as cameras zoomed in for close-ups, with Nolan spotted overseeing every shot

The casualties of war were also represented as extras carried men strapped to stretchers across the beach as cameras zoomed in for close-ups, with Nolan spotted overseeing every shot.

During breaks in between takes, the huge number of extras were seen walking around the shore front shops of Dunkirk as locals looked on, before tucking into sandwiches on the sand.

Director Christopher Nolan is filming his upcoming movie Dunkirk in exactly the spot where the events which inspired its plot took place.

To the rescue: Instead of CGI, Nolan has spent his budget on making sure every period detail is perfect, even bringing in a French T-47 Class Destroyer Maillé-Brézé to add to the authenticity of the film

What a production: Nolan and has team have drafted in hundreds of extras to star alongside leads Tom Hardy and co

Lunch break! The men were seen tucking into sandwiches as the filming continued throughout the morning

Taking a load off: The extras chatted in groups as they relaxed on the sand with their meals

Inexpensive trick: The cardboard troop cutouts have been spotted on set all week alongside the extras

Capturing the details: The casualties of war were also represented as Fionn and another actor carried men strapped to stretchers across the beach as cameras zoomed in for a close-up

Casualties: Fion and his co-star looked to have been pushed into breaking a sweat, with the duo resting the stretcher and extra on a wall in-between takes

Action: Director Nolan could be seen in prime position, seated next to the camera as he made sure he got the perfect shot

Filming began for the Warner Bros big screen remake on Monday as two WWII aircraft and two helicopters touched down at Merville-Lestrem Airport and a French T-47 Class Destroyer arrived in France.

The film features Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Mark Rylance as well as One Direction star Harry Styles in his move debut, with the singer spotted on set on Wednesday with his freshly cut short hair.

Slash Film reports that big names in the cast are taking on the film’s supporting roles, with the young newcomers - like Styles - taking center stage.

Rescue: Extras playing a medical team walked behind others bandaged up with fake injuries

History in the making: Nolan’s film is the first recreation of the evacuation since the 1958 original starring John Mills, Richard Attenborough and Robert Urquhart

Explosions: Fires raged across from the beach as Nolan's team got to work recreating the evacuation which saw much of the town of Dunkirk reduced to ruins by the German bombardment

Real life location: During breaks in between takes, the huge number of extras were seen walking around the shore front shops of Dunkirk as locals looked on

Weapons of war: Replica guns from the period were set up on the beach

What a moment: The troops were seen cheering as the boats came closer

Extras relax between takes, with many wearing denim jeans underneath their costumes

Playing dead, or just catching up on sleep? The extras enjoy some downtime in the sand

Hollywood's in town: Nolan has taken over Dunkirk this week as he begins his shoot with epic crowd scenes

Everybody down: The men were seen lying face down on the sand for the sweeping shots

Under fire: The extras threw themselves around the beach as the action scenes were shot

Hitting the sand: The men covered their heads and let out cries as they threw themselves into their supporting roles

Many of the extras were wearing armbands with 'SB' written on, which means stretch bearers

Trick of the eye: The cardboard troops blended in with the real life actors

A future epic: The film is predicted to be a huge blockbuster when it hits cinemas in summer 2017

Here for awhile: Army trucks were parked up on the sea front of Dunkirk as the film production makes its mark in town

Dunkirk opens in 1940 with hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops hemmed in by the German army on the beaches of northern France.

The British launched Operation Dynamo to save them and between May 7 and June 4, 338,000 arrived safely in England.

Among the force were hundreds of privately owned boats – popularly known as the ‘little ships’.

Nolan’s film was the first recreation of the evacuation since the 1958 original starring John Mills, Richard Attenborough and Robert Urquhart.

It is slated for release in July next year with filming on location in Holland as well as the UK and Los Angeles.

Going all out: As the cameras rolled on the hundreds of extras it was plain to see Nolan hasn't skimped on the cost of hiring a large support cast for his epic movie

Important setting: The vast Dunkirk beach was overtaken by the men

History: The operation was the largest military evacuation in history, taking place between May 27 and June 4, 1940

Casualties: The evacuation, known as Operation Dynamo, saw an estimated 338,000 Allied troops rescued from northern France. But 11,000 Britons were killed during Operation Dynamo, and another 40,000 were captured and imprisoned

Key period: Described as a 'miracle of deliverance' by wartime prime minister Winston Churchill, it is seen as one of several events in 1940 that determined the eventual outcome of the war

Bombardment: Soldiers were forced to hide in sand dunes from aerial attack when the boats arrived at Dunkirk

Hardly in keeping with the period! One extra carried a case of bottle water as he ran across the sand

Looking the part: One the actors carries a US flag as he waits with fellow extras

Communication problems: As the little ships arrived in Dunkirk from across the channel they were directed to different sectors. Many did not have radios, so the only methods of communication were by shouting to those on the beaches or by semaphore

Success: Prime Minister Churchill and his advisers had expected that it would be possible to rescue only 20,000 to 30,00 men, but by June 4 more than 300,000 had been saved

Dramatic: The operation was to become the biggest evacuation in military history

A helicopter hovers overheard to get a sweeping birds eye view of the extras on the beach

Don't look down: The spitfire has been in use regularly, with the aircraft filmed flying over the dramatic war scene again

A stuntman flies the Supermarine Spitfire during filming

Land, sea and air: All dimensions of the Allies battle against the Nazis is being covered in the movie