The Cruel Sea (1953) Simply the absolute best film made about men in ships at war., 30 November 2006
(This comment was deleted by you) Having served as a sonar operator in a Cannon class WW2 Destroyer Escort, I will tell you that no movie ever produced comes closer to hitting the bulls eye in the attempt to reproduce the experience of stalking and attempting to destroy a submarine in the cold yet boiling waters of the North Atlantic in a 200 foot long vessel using first generation underwater detection gear(ASDIC) This film could only have been shot in black and white to truly capture the cold, bleak, wet and miserable conditions associated with this difficult job, where just about all concerned would "rather have been somewhere else". Even the musical score evokes a forlorn mood throughout. This is far more an "anti war" film than it is a "war movie". Three scenes define this tale. 1. The Captain's terrible decision to sacrifice innocent lives to destroy an enemy submarine. 2. The rescuing of oil covered half drowned enemy sailors with the obvious indication that they are just men.....like us. This is briefly underscored by the tenderness and care with which they are treated by their British counterparts. And finally 3. One of the finest closing scenes in films. The war is over and the Captain is giving the last perfunctory mooring orders, his First Officer, and by now lifelong friend, by his side. A few brief wistful words exchanged between them, the Captain leaves the bridge, the First Officer lingers a moment to adjust the Pelorus and will also turn to leave for the last time. Camera pans to long shot of ship at anchor on smooth water...alone, against a brooding gray sky, the shrill fading whistle of the Bosun's pipe is heard, (no music) The End. Beautifully understated and unforgettable. I remember thinking that war brings out both the best and the worst in man and even though those who lived it "would rather have been somewhere else", for most, it will remain the high point of their lives. "The Cruel Sea" brilliantly underscores this paradox.
(This comment was deleted by you) Having served as a sonar operator in a Cannon class WW2 Destroyer Escort, I will tell you that no movie ever produced comes closer to hitting the bulls eye in the attempt to reproduce the experience of stalking and attempting to destroy a submarine in the cold yet boiling waters of the North Atlantic in a 200 foot long vessel using first generation underwater detection gear(ASDIC) This film could only have been shot in black and white to truly capture the cold, bleak, wet and miserable conditions associated with this difficult job, where just about all concerned would "rather have been somewhere else". Even the musical score evokes a forlorn mood throughout. This is far more an "anti war" film than it is a "war movie". Three scenes define this tale. 1. The Captain's terrible decision to sacrifice innocent lives to destroy an enemy submarine. 2. The rescuing of oil covered half drowned enemy sailors with the obvious indication that they are just men.....like us. This is briefly underscored by the tenderness and care with which they are treated by their British counterparts. And finally 3. One of the finest closing scenes in films. The war is over and the Captain is giving the last perfunctory mooring orders, his First Officer, and by now lifelong friend, by his side. A few brief wistful words exchanged between them, the Captain leaves the bridge, the First Officer lingers a moment to adjust the Pelorus and will also turn to leave for the last time. Camera pans to long shot of ship at anchor on smooth water...alone, against a brooding gray sky, the shrill fading whistle of the Bosun's pipe is heard, (no music) The End. Beautifully understated and unforgettable. I remember thinking that war brings out both the best and the worst in man and even though those who lived it "would rather have been somewhere else", for most, it will remain the high point of their lives. "The Cruel Sea" brilliantly underscores this paradox.