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The Enemy Below (1957)

7.5
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Ratings: 7.5/10 from 4,874 users  
Reviews: 78 user | 20 critic

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.

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(screenplay), (novel)
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Title: The Enemy Below (1957)

The Enemy Below (1957) on IMDb 7.5/10

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
Capt. Murrell
...
Von Stolberg (as Curt Jurgens)
...
Lt. Ware (as Al Hedison)
...
'Heinie' Schwaffer
Russell Collins ...
Doctor
Kurt Kreuger ...
Von Holem
...
Lt. Crain
...
Quartermaster
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Storyline

During World War II, the USS Haynes, an American destroyer escort discovers a German U-boat in the South Atlantic. A deadly duel between the two ships ensues, and Captain Murrell must draw upon all his experience to defeat the equally experienced German commander. Written by Linda Adams <Garridon@aol.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis


Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

8 January 1958 (Japan)  »

Also Known As:

Torpilles sous l'atlantique  »

Filming Locations:


Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The finale rescue was shot on location in the sea at Long Beach, California and on the ship the 'USS Alfred E. Cunningham' (DD-752), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer. Other location filming sites included the Pacific Ocean near Oahu, Hawaii for scenes on the 'USS Whitehurst' portraying the 'USS Haynes'. See more »

Goofs

After the u-boat's first torpedo attack on the DE the captain orders 18 knots and turns to attack. No anti-submarine vessel would have increased to this speed, since anything over about 15 knots was too fast for the sonar to work effectively, and the sonar was required for the coming attack. See more »

Quotes

Von Stolberg: [listening on hydrophone] Now American, turn the right way and I'll give you a pretty present.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Angel: Judgment (2000) See more »

Soundtracks

"So leben wir alle Tage"
Traditional German folksong sung to the tune of the "Dessauer Marsch"
English lyrics written specially for The Enemy Below
Sung by the crew of the u-boat
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

A classic!
8 September 2004 | by (Detroit, MI) – See all my reviews

Have to agree with "bob the moo" on this one. I've seen it probably two dozen times, and will see it many more, I'm sure. One of my favorite "war" movies (w/Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens as destroyer and submarine captains, respectively). My other faves are "Platoon," "Full Metal Jacket," "Decision Before Dawn," (w/Oskar Werner and Richard Basehart--most excellent!), and of course, Kubrick's "Paths of Glory," w/Kirk Douglas, Adoph Menjou and George MacReady.

More than a blood-and-guts war movie (though it has plenty of terrific action scenes), it's more of a man-vs-man "cat and mouse" story. Absolutely excellent direction (by Dick Powell) and some terrific cinematography. Terrific scene between Jurgens and Theodore Bikel (who plays his Exec. Officer), that is nothing but facial gestures and eyebrows.

A very "moral" tale, it shows that even sworn enemies serving their countries in wartime can show respect and compassion toward each other, especially since they're all men-of-the-sea: sailors. Conversations between Mitchum and his ship's doctor and between Jurgens and his exec officer mirror each other. Note the scene of the American sailors pulling the German sailors aboard their lifeboats near the end; Mitchum helping rescue the U-boat captain and his exec after ramming them.

Great tale, well-scripted, acted, directed and shot. An model of how to make a terrific story into a movie.


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Clint Eastwood? hueydoc
is the enemy below as good as das boot? oxxygen
Plot Flaw sadsit
Good Movie, but one thing bothers, maybe you can help?? gtrguy1
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Funny Scene dogbert-16
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