Above Us the Waves (1955)

The attack by British submarines on the German battleship "Tirpitz" in a Norwegian fjord during the Second World War.

Director:

Ralph Thomas

Writers:

Charles Esme Thornton Warren (book), James D. Benson (book),

Stars:

John Mills, John Gregson, Donald Sinden

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Mills	...	Cmdr. Fraser
John Gregson	...	Lt Alec Duffy
Donald Sinden	...	Lt Tom Corbett
James Robertson Justice	...	Adm. Ryder
Michael Medwin	...	Smart
James Kenney	...	Abercrombie
O.E. Hasse	...	Captain of the Tirpitz (as O. E. Hasse)
Lee Patterson	...	Cox
William Russell	...	Ramsey
Theodore Bikel	...	German Officer
Harry Towb	...	McCleery
Cyril Chamberlain	...	CPO Chubb
Tony Wager	...	George (as Anthony Wager)
Leslie Weston	...	Winley
Lyndon Brook	...	Diver Navigator, X2

Storyline

In World War II, the greatest threat to the British navy is the German battleship Tirpitz. Being anchored in a Norwegian fjord, it is impossible to attack it with any chance of success. But the navy trains a special commando to attack it, using little submarines to plant underwater explosives under it.

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Plot Keywords:

battleship | submarine | royal navy | torpedo | mission | 

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Taglines:

Their Orders...Sink the Tirpitz!

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German Swedish

Release Date:

26 October 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Operatie Tirpitz

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Independent Producers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 74 min (re-release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The code-name of the real life World War II mission that this film was based on was Operation Source. This operation utilized the Royal Navy's midget X class submarines.

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Goofs

In the scene where the captured Brits are being "escorted" down the gangway of the Tirpitz, the German sailors are prodding them not with German weapons, but British Sterling sub machine guns.

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Connections

Referenced in Lovejoy: Angel Trousers (1992)

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Soundtracks

"The Sky Boat Song"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Arthur Benjamin

User Reviews

A very Boy's Own Story

OK so the script is mundane and the atmosphere is rather too pukha to be true, but I have no hesitation in recommending Above Us The Waves to all serious buffs out there. It's rather like a fanciful trip down memory lane into a bygone era that was very real to the actors but only a dream to us. The world in which public school educated Commanders strode up and down wharfs wearing immaculate stiff collars and Gieves and Hawkes tailored uniforms. The world in which a beaten enemy saluted their conquerors with trays of brandy and warm dry blankets. That's the real value of the film; it acts as a glimpse into that half forgotten world of sheer courage and decency that has long been lost in the senseless chase for mammon. When men gave their lives for honour and principal rather than offering their time for glamour and ego.

And the film has its moments of well staged tension to keep us alert. John Gregson and James Kenney give memorable performances when a mine drifts dangerously close to their surfaced sub and they must fend it off with outstretched feet. Don't listen to the detractors on this one

• grab a good cup of strong cocoa and allow your dreams to drift back

in time.