Submerged (TV 2001)

A moment by moment account of the sinking and rescue of the crew of the submarine USS Squalus which was the first rescue of living crew on a submarine.

Director:

James Keach

Writers:

Peter Maas (book), John Pielmeier (teleplay),

Stars:

Sam Neill, Shea Whigham, Emily Procter

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sam Neill	...	Lt. Cmdr. Charles B. 'Swede' Momsen
Shea Whigham	...	Capt. Oliver Naquin
Emily Procter	...	Frances Naquin
Hugh O'Conor	...	Jim McDonald
Matthew Wait	...	Martin 'Ski' Sibitzky
Martin McDougall
Vincent Riotta	...	Harold Preble
Raymond Waring
Alex McSweeney	...	Seaman Lawrence Gainor
John Pielmeier	...	Lt. Cmdr. Fortis
Marshall Griffin	...	Lloyd Maness
Jenna Harrison	...	Betty Cole
James Sikking	...	Rear Admiral Cyrus Cole (as James B. Sikking)
Alex Campagner	...	Machinist Mate Al Prien
Des Coleman	...	Cook Will Isaacs

Storyline

Based on the best-selling book by Peter Maas, Submerged tells the story of the first submarine rescue in history, that of the crew of the USS Squalus in 1938, and of the man who affected the rescue, Lt.Cmdr. "Swede" Momsen.

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Plot Keywords:

submarine | navy | underwater rescue | 1930s | inventor | 

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Taglines:

59 men trapped below. A desperate SOS. The depths of human courage.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'odyssée du Squalus

Filming Locations:

Malta

Company Credits

Production Co:

NBC Studios, Once Upon a Time Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While many movies of this type add complications to the rescue, this one simplifies it. In real life several more ships were involved, and when the diving bell jammed on the fourth trip, several dives were made before it could be freed. The bell was also sent on a fifth trip to confirm that no other compartments contained survivors.

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Goofs

Jeeps are used as Navy transport vehicles throughout the movie, yet they did not go into production until mid to late 1941, nearly 2 years after the events in this movie are depicted.

User Reviews

Fine Movie - Gripping

The one positive thing that struck me about this film effort was that it was not overly sentimental or melodramatic even though what we ARE dealing with here is the most basic emotions of pain and suffering for loved ones, whether spouses or peers.

Sam Neill does a fine turn here with his well-known understated treatment. The very capable ensemble of supporting actors also brought respect to this noble and deserving tale.

I am not a Navy man so if there were inconsistencies or inaccuracies, I was not the wiser. In any case, I never felt as if I were being manipulated or deceived. The telling was sober and respectful.

Just honest storytelling of a long unduly forgotten act of collective heroism. We need to see more stories like this.