The Silver Fleet (1943)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Directors:

Vernon Sewell
Gordon Wellesley

Writers:

Vernon Sewell (written by)
Gordon Wellesley (written by)

Release Date:

1 July 1945 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

Jaap van Leyden is in charge of a shipyard in newly occupied Holland. At first he collaberates with...

Plot Keywords:

Patriotism

Cast

Ralph Richardson	...	Jaap van Leyden
Googie Withers	...	Helène van Leyden
Esmond Knight	...	Von Schiffer
Beresford Egan	...	Krampf
Frederick Burtwell	...	Captain Müller
Kathleen Byron	...	Schoolmistress
Willem Akkerman	...	Willem van Leyden
Dorothy Gordon	...	Janni Peters
Charles Victor	...	Bastiaan Peters
John Longden	...	Jost Meertens
Joss Ambler	...	Cornelis Smit
Margaret Emden	...	Bertha
George Schelderup	...	Dirk
Neville Mapp	...	Joop
Ivor Barnard	...	Admiral

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | UK:U | Australia:G

Company:

Archers, The

Trivia:

Esmond Knight, who had lost an eye during the war, had not yet regained the use of his remaining eye when he played the role of Von Schiffer. Playing his part completely blind, there is only one scene when the audience can guess Knight's disability. It occurs quite briefly when Knight, about to go through a doorway, is gently steered through the door by a fellow actor.

Obvious but rousing little drama

During World War II, Holland is occupied by the Nazi's and the populace splits between those who accept, those who actively resist and those who actively assist - called `quizlings'. One such quizling is naval engineer Jaap van Leyden, who the Nazis use to help build U-Boats. However the efforts of the Germany navy are hampered by the underground resistance, led by the mysterious and unseen Piet Hein.

This film suggests a mystery but, if you haven't guessed the identity of the mysterious Piet Hein within 2 minutes of the film starting then you sir, are a monkey undeserving of a banana! However, given that the film then reveals the identity past the very obvious clues, then this isn't too much of a problem. What the film then becomes is quite a good tale of heroism in the face of the Germans, and of sacrifice and personal strength.

While it is a difficult film with no very easy heroism to get behind - van Leyden is a different character for a piece of propaganda, taking the difficult line of being a double. While the film is a slow starter it does get to quite a heroic level towards the end and makes it's point without fireworks or excessive drum beating. In fact the climax is one of quiet strength rather than action - it suits the film and is quite served considering the films of the time.

Richardson does very well with his role. He is a little dry at the start but once his character becomes clearer then he gets better. I had just watched Shine when I watched this film and it was a surprise to find myself watching a Googie Withers double bill! She is good too, although I would have liked to see her struggle more obviously when doors were closed. The support cast of Germans are good - not too nasty to be caricatures but not likeable enough for us to feel pity for what had to be done. The cast of Dutch (or English rather!) are all OK but none really stand out.

Overall this is quite a low key and obvious film but it no less enjoyable for it. For a propaganda movie made in wartime it is surprisingly restrained and measured and has a quite touching climax of stiff upper lip-ness! Not quite as rousing as many of it's genre but different enough to be worth seeing.