The Battle of the River Plate (1956)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Directors:

Michael Powell
Emeric Pressburger

Writers:

Michael Powell (written by) &
Emeric Pressburger (written by)

Release Date:

November 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | War

Tagline:

The true and moving story of a mighty sea battle [Video Australia]

Plot:

A true WW2 story: the British Navy must find and destroy a powerful German warship.

Plot Keywords:

Battleship | Navy | British Navy | Royal Navy | Admiral

Awards:

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

John Gregson	...	Captain Bell - H.M.S. Exeter
Anthony Quayle	...	Commodore Harwood - H.M.S. Ajax
Ian Hunter	...	Captain Woodhouse - H.M.S. Ajax
Jack Gwillim	...	Captain Parry - H.M.S. Achilles
Bernard Lee	...	Captain Dove - M.S. Africa Shell
Lionel Murton	...	Mike Fowler
Anthony Bushell	...	Mr. Millington Drake - British Minister, Montevideo
Peter Illing	...	Dr. Guani - Foreign Minister, Uruguay
Michael Goodliffe	...	Captain McCall - R.N., British Naval Attache for Buenos Aires
Patrick Macnee	...	Lieutenant Commander Medley - R.N.
John Chandos	...	Dr. Langmann - German Minister, Montevideo
Douglas Wilmer	...	M. Desmoulins - French Minister, Montevideo
William Squire	...	Ray Martin
Roger Delgado	...	Captain Varela - Uruguayan Navy
Andrew Cruickshank	...	Captain Stubbs - 'Doric Star'

Also Known As:

Graf Spee
Pursuit of the Graf Spee (USA)

Runtime:

119 min | USA:106 min (cut version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Spain:7 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:U | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Atlantic Ocean

Company:

Archers, The

Trivia:

John Schlesinger, then an actor, is listed in the credits as Prisoner on the Graf Spee. In actual fact the future director played a German officer, the young Lieutenant who escorts Captain Dove to the ship after the Africa Shell is sunk and introduces him to Langsdorff.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Graf Spee is leaving Montevideo, there are some cars visible on her deck.

Quotes:

Captain Langsdorff 'Admiral Graff Spee': [to Captain Dove] Every commander is alone, Captain.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Story of Making the Film They're a Weird Mob (1966)

Soundtrack:

Dolores' Song

Rousing well made movie, using some of the original ships.

Fine, entertaining movie of the famous sea battle between 3 smaller British warships versus the great German Pocket Battleship "Graf Spee". Tremendous sea scenes , aided by the fact that most of the original ships which fought the actual battle are used in the movie. Well acted all-round with Peter Finch doing a fine job as Captain Langsdorf.