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The Battle of the River Plate
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Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956) More at IMDbPro »The Battle of the River Plate (original title)

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Overview

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MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Michael Powell (written by) &
Emeric Pressburger (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Pursuit of the Graf Spee on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
November 1957 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Action | Adventure | Drama | History | War See more »
Tagline:
The true and moving story of a mighty sea battle [Video Australia] See more »
Plot:
A true WW2 story: the British Navy must find and destroy a powerful German warship. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. See more »
NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
Blu-ray, DVD Release: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
 (From Disc Dish. 21 December 2012, 1:39 PM, PST)
Christopher Challis
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 10 June 2012, 4:06 PM, PDT)
New Release: Ill Met By Moonlight DVD
 (From Disc Dish. 9 June 2011, 6:07 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Historical and epic battle between the Graf Spee and British cruisers See more (37 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)
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.N.Z.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'

Christopher Lee ... Manolo
Edward Atienza ... Pop
April Olrich ... Dolores

Peter Finch ... Captain Langsdorff 'Admiral Graf Spee'
María Mercedes ... Madame X (credit only)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

David Farrar ... Narrator
Douglas Argent ... Sub. Lieutenant, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Vincent Ball ... Barnes - HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Ken Barker ... Marine Officer, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Michael Barnes ... Midshipman, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Raymond Barrie ... Shirley - HMS Achilles (uncredited)

Terence Bayler ... Stoker - HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Alan Beale ... Capt. Pttinger (uncredited)
Richard Beale ... Capt. Pottinger (uncredited)
David Benson ... Marine Officer, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
John Britton ... Navigator, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Robert Bruce ... Lt. Cmdr. Smith - HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Anna Burden ... Madame Desmoulins, Montevideo (uncredited)
Richard Burrell ... Navigator, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Tony Burton ... Young Sailor, Aft-Conning, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
David Cameron ... Pilot Officer Lewin - Pilot, Spotter Plane, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Alan Casley ... Rating, Aft-Conning, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Ronald Clarke ... Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Michael Collins ... Chief Yeoman, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
James Copeland ... Chief Yeoman, HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Robert Crewdson ... (uncredited)
Tita Dane ... (uncredited)
Gron Davies ... Chief Engineer, Trevannionion, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Denton De Gray ... Kearney - Spotter Plane, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Maxwell Denne ... Petty Officer, HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Patrick Dove ... Capt., Streonshalh, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Peter Dyneley ... Captain, Newton Beach, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Eynon Evans ... Chief Engineer, Newton Beach,Pprisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Jack Faint ... Chief Officer, Ashlea, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Peter Fontaine ... Gunnery Officer, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
John Forbes-Robertson ... Lt. McBarnett - HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Frank Forsyth ... Petty Officer, Bridge, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Barry Foster ... Bill Roper - Capt. Bell's Messenger, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Colin Free ... 2nd Messenger, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Richard George ... Chief Officer, Trevannion, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Keith Grieve ... Sick Bay P.O., HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Lucia Guillon ... Phone Girl, Montevideo (uncredited)
Peter Halliday ... Guani's Secretary (uncredited)
Ken Hayward ... Spotting Officer, Gunnery Control, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Patrick Horgan ... Signalman, HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Helen Horton ... (uncredited)
Mary Jones ... Ms. Shaw (uncredited)
Kerry Jordan ... O.S. Rogers - HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Patrick Jordan ... Signalman, Aft-Conning, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Marvin Kane ... (uncredited)
Howard Lang ... Guns - HMS Exeter (uncredited)

John Le Mesurier ... Rev. George Groves - Padre, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Frank Lloyd ... Messenger, HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Cyril Luckham ... Lt. Jasper Abbot - HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Kenneth Luckman ... Mess P.O., HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Ivor Mairants ... Guitarist Accompanying Dolores (uncredited)
Alan Masterson ... Midshipman, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Jack Mayne ... (uncredited)
Lane Meddick ... P.O. Stacey - HMS Achilles (uncredited)
John Merivale ... Cowburn - HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Kenneth Midwood ... Petty Officer, Gunnery Control, HMS Exeter (uncredited)

Donald Moffat ... Swanston - Lookout, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
George Murcell ... Chief Officer, Newton Beach (uncredited)

Anthony Newley ... Radio Operator, Tairoa, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Joseph O'Conner ... Chief Engineer, Doric Star, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
David Paltenghi ... Customs Officer (uncredited)
Conrad Phillips ... Lt. Washbourne - Gunnery Officer, HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Ambrosine Phillpotts ... Mrs. Millington-Drake, Montevideo (uncredited)
Columba Powell ... Lost Child in Crowd (uncredited)
Edward Powell ... Chief Officer, Huntsman, Prisoner on Graf Spree (uncredited)
Irene Prador ... (uncredited)
Peter Prowse ... Lookout, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Roy Purcell ... Duty Officer Pennefeather - HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Rive Rola ... (uncredited)
Alan Rolfe ... Petty Officer, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
David Rose ... Boy Dorset - HMNZS Achilles (uncredited)

John Schlesinger ... Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Peter Scott ... 1st Messenger, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Peter Smallwood ... Spotting Officer, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Muriel Smith ... Dolores, Montevideo (uncredited) (singing voice)
Julian Somers ... Quartermaster, Graf Spee (uncredited)
Barry Steele ... Midshipman, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Graham Stewart ... Signalman, HMS Exeter (uncredited)

Nigel Stock ... Chief Officer, Tairoa, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
Alan Townsend ... Duty Officer, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Guy Verney ... Cmdr. Graham - HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Tony Wager ... Lookout, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
Colin Wall ... Boy Bugler, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
John Warren ... Chief Yeoman Signals, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Patrick Westwood ... Archer, HMS Ajax (uncredited)
George Whiting ... Chief Engineer, Aft-Conning, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Ian Whittaker ... Boiler Room Messenger, HMS Achilles (uncredited)
David Williams ... Lookout, HMS Exeter (uncredited)
Neil Wilson ... Mess P.O., HMS Achilles (uncredited)
Brian Worth ... Radio Operator, Doric Star, Prisoner on Graf Spee (uncredited)
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Directed by
Michael Powell 
Emeric Pressburger 
 
Writing credits
Michael Powell (written by) &
Emeric Pressburger (written by)

Produced by
Michael Powell .... producer
Emeric Pressburger .... producer
Earl St. John .... executive producer
Sydney Streeter .... associate producer
 
Original Music by
Brian Easdale 
 
Cinematography by
Christopher Challis (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Reginald Mills 
 
Production Design by
Arthur Lawson 
 
Makeup Department
Geoffrey Rodway .... makeup artist
 
Production Management
John Brabourne .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Charles Orme .... assistant director
 
Art Department
Hein Heckroth .... artistic adviser
Donald Picton .... assistant art director
Mark Rowe .... props (uncredited)
Bernard Sarron .... set dresser (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Gordon K. McCallum .... sound recordist
Arthur Stevens .... sound editor
C.C. Stevens .... sound recordist
Harry Fairbairn .... sound assistant (uncredited)
P. Lloyd .... boom operator (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
James Snow .... special effects
Bill Warrington .... special effects
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Austin Dempster .... camera operator
Ian Jeayes .... still photographer (uncredited)
Jock Sang .... chief electrician (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jack Dalmayne .... wardrobe (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
Noreen Ackland .... assembly cutter (uncredited)
Michael Edmonds .... second assistant editor (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Frederick Lewis .... musical director (as Frederic Lewis)
Muriel Smith .... singing voice: April Olrich (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Arthur Alcott .... production controller: for Pinewood Studios, London, England
F.S. Bell .... naval adviser (as Captain F.S. Bell C.B. R.N. {Ret'd.})
Patrick Dove .... technical adviser: on the prison sequences -"Graf Spee" (as Captain Patrick Dove of the 'African Shell')
Betty Harley .... continuity
Ralph Medley .... advisor (uncredited)
Jean Osborne .... publicist (uncredited)
Bill Paton .... assistant: Mr. Powell (uncredited)
 
Thanks
J.A.R. Abbott .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commander J.A.R. Abbott R.N.)
G.A. Allen .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Lieut-Commander G.A. Allen R.N.)
F.S. Bell .... especial thanks (as Captain F.S. Bell C.B. Royal Navy)
Jack S. Bongard .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. Jack S. Bongard)
M. Bowman-Manifold .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. M. Bowman-Manifold)
G.C. Cowburn .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commander G.C. Cowburn D.S.C. R.N.)
I.D. De'Ath .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Major I.D. de'Ath D.S.O. M.B.E. R.M.)
C.F. Dent .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. C.F. Dent)
H.J. Dietrich .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Dr. H.J. Dietrich)
G.W. Dixon .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Rev. G.W. Dixon M.A. R.N.)
Patrick Dove .... especial thanks (as Captain Patrick Dove Merchant Navy)
D.P. Dreyer .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commander D.P. Dreyer D.S.C. R.N.)
E.M. Edwards .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Captain E.M. Edwards M.N.)
R. Fontaña .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. R. Fontaña)
John Garland .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. John Garland)
R. Glucksmann .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. R. Glucksmann)
Mrs. R.R. Graham .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used
George Grove .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Rev. George Grove R.N.)
John Harper .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. John Harper)
Lady Harwood .... especial thanks
L. Hill .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. L. Hill)
Lloyd Hirst .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commander Lloyd Hirst O.B.E. R.N.)
R.B. Jennings .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commander R.B. Jennings D.S.O. D.S.C. and bar R.N.)
R.E.N. Kearney .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Captain R.E.N. Kearney O.B.E. R.N.)
Hugh G. Kendal .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. Hugh G. Kendal)
Ruth Langsdorff .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Frau Ruth Langsdorff)
E.D.G. Lewin .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Captain E.D.G. Lewin C.B.E. D.S.O. D.S.C. and bar R.N.)
D.T. McBarnet .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commander D.T. McBarner D.S.C. R.N.)
Henry McCall .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Admiral Sir Henry McCall K.C.V.O. K.B.E. C.B. D.S.O.)
John Mead .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. John Mead)
R.C. Medley .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commodore R.C. Medley D.S.O. O.B.E. R.N.)
Kurt Meusemann .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Kapitan zur See Kurt Meusemann a.D.)
Eugen Millington-Drake .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Sir Eugen Millington-Drake K.C.M.G.)
Anthony Morse .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used: for his son, Sub. Lieut. C.A.L. Morse, killed in action ) (as Vice Admiral Sir Anthony Morse K.B.E. C.B. D.S.O.)
W. Edward Parry .... especial thanks (as Admiral Sir W. Edward Parry K.C.B.)
R.R.S. Pennefather .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commodore R.R.S. Pennefather R.N.)
Carlos Ramela .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Dr. Carlos Ramela)
Captain Robinson .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Captain Robinson M.N.)
Esther Shaw .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Miss Esther Shaw)
C.J. Smith .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Lieut-Commander C.J. Smith D.S.C. R.N.)
W. Stubbs .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Captain W. Stubbs M.N.)
W. Swanston .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commissioned Communications Officer W. Swanston R.N.)
F.P. Thomas .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Mr. F.P. Thomas)
N.K. Tod .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Commander N.K. Tod D.S.C. R.N.)
R.E. Washbourn .... all those who helped or gave permission for their names to be used (as Captain R.E. Washbourn D.S.O. O.B.E. R.N.)
Charles Woodhouse .... especial thanks (as Admiral Sir Charles Woodhouse K.C.B.)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production Companies
  • Archers, The (as A Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger Production)
DistributorsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
"The Battle of the River Plate" - UK (original title)
See more »
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
119 min | USA:106 min (cut version)
Country:
UK
Language:
English | German | Spanish
Color:
Color (VistaVision)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:U | Iceland:L | Spain:7 | Australia:G | UK:U (video rating) (1994) (2000) (2003) | UK:U (tv rating) | West Germany:12 | France:U
Filming Locations:
Atlantic OceanSee more »
Company:
Archers, TheSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
First feature film of Jack Gwillim.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: When the British first spot the Graf Spee through binoculars, a prominent cloud of smoke is billowing from the battleship's funnel. But the full frame shot of the ship shows no smoke at all.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 »
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Story of Making the Film They're a Weird Mob (1966)See more »
Soundtrack:
Rio de la PlataSee more »

FAQ

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User Reviews

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14 out of 20 people found the following review useful.
Historical and epic battle between the Graf Spee and British cruisers, 23 October 2006
Author: ma-cortes

This is a splendid British film concerning historic deeds during WWII , the naval battle in the South Atlantic between British cruiser squadron of three ships and the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee , Dic 1939 . The main and secondary cast are stunningly incarnated by a magnificent plethora of English actors . The film contains a colorful and glimmer cinematography by Christopher Challis and an atmospheric musical score . The movie is well produced by Archers production and professionally directed by Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell . The motion picture will appeal to warlike genre buffs and British classic movie fans . Rating : Better than average .

The film is based on true events , these are the following : Though the British cruisers were no match for the battleship , Admiral Sir Henry Harwood (Anthony Quayle) launched an attack to Graf Spee (with 6 cannons,280 mm) . German fire seriously damaged HMS Exeter (commanded by John Cregson as captain Bell) with cannons 203mm , put half of HMS Ajax (captain Woodhouse played by Ian Hunter)'s guns out of action , and then damaged Achilles (cannons 152 mm) , but the cruisers did sufficient damage to the German ship to make its captain break off and run for shelter in Montevideo , Uruguay . The British followed and waited in international waters outside the neutral port . The Uruguay government ordered the Germans to leave after 72 hours . The British cruisers called Royal and Renown were near from Montevideo and Langsdorff (Peter Finch) didn't wait possibilities to vanquish . Hitler , reluctant to risk the Graf Spee being sunk by heavier British warship which were sailing for the River Plate , ordered the captain to scuttle the vessel . He did so 17 Dec 1939 and three days later shot himself .

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