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Title: Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
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Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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John Gregson | ... |
Captain Bell - H.M.S. Exeter
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| Anthony Quayle | ... |
Commodore Harwood-H.M.S. Ajax
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Ian Hunter | ... |
Captain Woodhouse - H.M.S. Ajax
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| Jack Gwillim | ... |
Captain Parry - H.M.N.Z.S. Achilles
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| Bernard Lee | ... |
Captain Dove - M.S. Africa Shell
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Lionel Murton | ... |
Mike Fowler
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Anthony Bushell | ... |
Mr. Millington Drake - British Minister, Montevideo
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Peter Illing | ... |
Dr. Guani - Foreign Minister, Uruguay
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| Michael Goodliffe | ... |
Captain McCall - R.N., British Naval Attache for Buenos Aires
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| Patrick Macnee | ... |
Lieutenant Commander Medley R.N.
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John Chandos | ... |
Dr. Langmann - German Minister, Montevideo
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Douglas Wilmer | ... |
M. Desmoulins - French Minister, Montevideo
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William Squire | ... |
Ray Martin
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Roger Delgado | ... |
Captain Varela - Uruguayan Navy
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Andrew Cruickshank | ... |
Captain Stubbs - 'Doric Star'
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
In the fall of 1939, the German heavy cruiser (referred to as a pocket battleship) Graf Spee seems to have command of the Atlantic. In the first three months of World War II, she was responsible for sinking 9 ships. The British sent three cruisers commanded by Commodore Henry Harwood to confront her. The battle took place on December 13, 1939 and the British came out on top. The Graf Spee headed for the neutral harbor of Montevideo, Uruguay. They were given only a short time to effect repairs and the British did their best to make them believe a British fleet of 6 or 8 ships awaited them. Rather than chance the loss of his men, the German captain ordered the Graf Spee scuttled. Written by garykmcd
Taglines:
The tremendous story of the victory over the Graf Spee. See more »Certificate:
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Details
Country:
UKRelease Date:
November 1957 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Pursuit of the Graf Spee See more »Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (cut)Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Color:
Color (VistaVision)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Gunnery Officer: Captain, sir.
Capt. Parry, HMNZS Achilles: Yes, guns?
Gunnery Officer: We've fired nearly 1200 rounds sir. About one third of the arsenal only remaining.
Capt. Parry, HMNZS Achilles: Thank you. Are you all right?
Gunnery Officer: A few new ventilation gaps here, sir. A bit draughty, but otherwise all right.
[Capt. Parry turns to look at gunnery control position full of shell holes]
See more »
(uncredited)
Music by Brian Easdale
Lyrics by Manuel Salina
Performed by April Olrich (dubbed by Muriel Smith)
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Location filming started on 13 December 1955, the 16th anniversary of the battle. The River Plate Association in Auckland sent a good-luck message to the crew. "Congratulations on choice of day. Hope your shooting will be as successful as ours!" See more »Goofs
When the crew of the Ajax cheers the Achilles in long shot, the crew (including both bridges) are wearing dark blue naval uniforms, but when it switches to close ups of both bridges, they are in tropical white uniforms. See more »Quotes
[on board a badly shot up HMNZS Achilles]Gunnery Officer: Captain, sir.
Capt. Parry, HMNZS Achilles: Yes, guns?
Gunnery Officer: We've fired nearly 1200 rounds sir. About one third of the arsenal only remaining.
Capt. Parry, HMNZS Achilles: Thank you. Are you all right?
Gunnery Officer: A few new ventilation gaps here, sir. A bit draughty, but otherwise all right.
[Capt. Parry turns to look at gunnery control position full of shell holes]
See more »
Crazy Credits
I.N.S. Delhi (formerly Achilles) as H.M.N.Z. Ship Achilles See more »Soundtracks
"Rio de la Plata"(uncredited)
Music by Brian Easdale
Lyrics by Manuel Salina
Performed by April Olrich (dubbed by Muriel Smith)
See more »
I love this movie. Peter Finch stars as Capt. Langsdorf of the German "pocket" battleship Admiral Graf Spee. He is perfect; from the almost swashbuckly entrance and dialogue with Capt. Dove, a merchant captain whose ship they've just sunk, to the trance-like confusion at the end of the film. There are so many great actors in this film its almost like "the Longest Day," except these guys act. Christopher Lee as Manolo, the jealous bar owner; Anthony Quayle as Commodore Harwood; Anthony Newly as a sailor with about three lines that he still manages to over-act; and John Gregson, who plays Capt. Bell of the British cruiser Exeter. Well known, and often quirky co-directors and writers, Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell bring together spectacular shots of many of the actual ships involved in the battle with an almost ensemble-like feeling in the cast. From the British Ambassador with the no-nonsense, sharped-tongued secretary to the goofy-gaucho interpreter for the reporter, Mike Fowler, these powerfully presented characters intensify the real drama of this battle. It wasn't just a sea battle, it was political, involving sailors, spies, and bad cafe singing.