The Silent Enemy (1958)

Director:

William Fairchild

Writers:

Marshall Pugh (book)
William Fairchild (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 March 1958 (UK)

Genre:

Action | Biography | History | War

Plot:

In the Mediterranean in 1941 the Italians start using underwater chariots to mine the undersides of allied ships...

Plot Keywords:

Italian | Diver | Italian History | Royal Navy | Malta

Cast

Laurence Harvey	...	Lieutenant Crabb, R.N.V.R.
Dawn Addams	...	Third Officer Jill Masters, W.R.N.S.
Michael Craig	...	Leading Seaman Knowles
John Clements	...	The Admiral
Sid James	...	Chief Petty Officer Thorpe (as Sidney James)
Alec McCowen	...	Able Seaman Morgan
Nigel Stock	...	Able Seaman Fraser
Ian Whittaker	...	Ordinary Seaman Thomas
Arnoldo Foà	...	Tomolino (as Arnoldo Foa)
Gianna Maria Canale	...	Conchita
Massimo Serato	...	Forzellini
Giacomo Rossi-Stuart	...	Rosati
Carlo Giustini	...	Fellini (as Carlo Justini)
Raymond Young	...	Celloni
David Lodge	...	Sergeant

Runtime:

112 min | West Germany:100 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:16 | UK:PG (tv rating) | Finland:K-16 | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Gibraltar

Company:

Remus

Trivia:

According to the book "A Biography Of Sid James", James was offered the role of Chief Petty Officer Thorpe on the recommendation of his friend Laurence Harvey, but their friendship ended during the filming. He found Harvey to be "pompous and full of his own importance". It's said that the two never spoke to each other again after filming had ended.

Tribute to Lieut. Lionel Crabbe

They don't make them like this anymore. Rousing drama action based on the real life exploits of British Navy Lieutenant Lionel Crabbe and his contributions to underwater demolition work during World War II and later on in salvaging operations.

World War II history buffs will appreciate the military technology depicted in this film and the impact it caused to Allied as well as Axis shipping.

Exciting underwater action combined with a decent cast and good dialogue contribute to the suspense.