The Enemy Below (1957)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Dick Powell

Writers:

Wendell Mayes (screenplay)
D.A. Rayner (novel)

Release Date:

8 January 1958 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller | War

Plot:

During World War II, an American destroyer meets a German U-Boat. Both captains are good ones, and the engagement lasts for a considerable time.

Plot Keywords:

U Boat | Destroyer | Duel | Ship | South Atlantic

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Robert Mitchum	...	Capt. Murrell
Curd Jürgens	...	Von Stolberg (as Curt Jurgens)
David Hedison	...	Lt. Ware (Executive Officer [XO]) (as Al Hedison)
Theodore Bikel	...	'Heinie' Schwaffer
Russell Collins	...	Doctor
Kurt Kreuger	...	Von Holem
Frank Albertson	...	Lt. (j.g.) Crain
Biff Elliot	...	Quartermaster

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | USA:Approved (certificate #18627) | Canada:G (video rating) | West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | UK:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Average Shot Length = ~8.7 seconds. Median Shot Length = ~6.3 seconds.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In the U-boat, the 24-hour clock has the name "Timex" on it.

Quotes:

Von Stolberg: [to a temporarily-crazed sailor] Give me the wrench. Give it to me!
[he does]
Von Stolberg: You will come to attention.
[he does]
Von Stolberg: It's part of our work to die. But we are not going to die. Do you believe me? *Do you believe me*?
[he nods, calmed. Von Stolberg returns the wrench]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Crimson Tide (1995)

Soundtrack:

Ich hatt' einen Kameraden

A pleasant surprise.

A US Destroyer plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with a German U-Boat in the South Atlantic during World War Two.

Despite this film getting fairly regular screenings on UK TV over the years, I saw it for the first time in its entirity over the weekend. Considering the era in which it was made, I was pleasantly surprised by its straightforward story and solid production. Rather than have some superfluous romantic sub-plot dragging it down, it instead concentrates on the professionalism of those involved on both sides. Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens portray the opposing Captains impressively as men who take no pleasure in the prospect of killing, but carry out their jobs to the best of their considerable abilities. The supporting cast include Theodore Bikel, David Hedison and a very young looking Doug McClure.

A combination of good technical credits, sure handed direction, good acting and a sympathetic depiction of the German crew ensure that the film holds up very well today. It may not be 'Das Boot' but its certainly entertaining.