In Which We Serve (1942)

This "story of a ship", the British destroyer H.M.S. Torrin, is told in flashbacks by survivors as they cling to a life raft.

Directors:

Noël Coward (as Noel Coward), David Lean

Writer:

Noël Coward (by) (as Noel Coward)

Stars:

Noël Coward, John Mills, Bernard Miles

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Noël Coward	...	Capt. E.V. Kinross R.N. - Captain 'D' (as Noel Coward)
John Mills	...	Ordinary Seaman Shorty Blake
Bernard Miles	...	Chief Petty Officer Walter Hardy
Celia Johnson	...	Mrs. Alix Kinross
Kay Walsh	...	Freda Lewis
Joyce Carey	...	Mrs. Kath Hardy
Derek Elphinstone	...	No. 1
Michael Wilding	...	Flags
Robert Sansom	...	Guns
Philip Friend	...	Torps
Chimmo Branson	...	Midshipman
Ballard Berkeley	...	Engineer Commander
Hubert Gregg	...	Pilot
James Donald	...	Doc
Michael Whittaker	...	Sub

Storyline

This is the story of a British Naval ship, H.M.S. Torrin, from its construction to its sinking in the Mediterranean during action in World War II. The ship's first and only commanding officer is the experienced Captain E.V. Kinross, who trains his men not only to be loyal to him, but to the country, and most importantly, to themselves. They face challenges at sea, and also at home. They lose some of their shipmates in action, and some of their loved ones in the devastation that is the blitz. Throughout it all, the men of the Torrin serve valiantly and heroically.

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Plot Keywords:

ship sinking | lifeboat | world war two | year 1939 | year 1940 | 

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Taglines:

IT STANDS ALONE - The Greatest Of All Motion Pictures! [Australia theatrical]

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The contrails from the dogfight seen at around 1:25 appear to be the same as in Spitfire (1942), at around 1:51.

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Goofs

When the sailors are in the water, clinging to the life raft, a German aircraft strafes them with machine gun fire. This simply did not happen, with the Germans, when dealing with the British or American adversaries, especially when it came to naval targets. In fact, sometimes Germans would rescue stranded sailors in the water.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: [voiceover] This is the story of a ship...
[long sequence of ship-building and launch]

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Crazy Credits

This film is dedicated to the Royal Navy "whereon under the good providence of God, the wealth, safety and strength of the kingdom chiefly depend".

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Connections

Referenced in Star Stories: The Wife's Life (2006)

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Soundtracks

Beer Barrel Polka (aka Roll Out the Barrel)
(uncredited)
Music by Jaromir Vejvoda
Lyrics by Wladimir A. Timm (song Skoda lásky)
English lyrics by Lew Brown

User Reviews

The HMS Torrin

The British destroyer HMS Torrin serves as the meeting place where men from all walks of life come together as they are called to do their duty for their country. The lives of the different men interconnect in amazing ways, in good times and during tragedy at sea.

David Lean and Noel Coward shared the directorial duty in a film that is one of the best ones of the genre. It would appear impossible by today's egotistical standards that two men, like Mr. Coward and Mr. Lean, would even consent to work in a film project. The unity shown in the making of the film must have come from those trying days during the war days in England.

The large ensemble cast put together for the film showcases some of the best talent of the British screen like no other of its kind. Noel Coward, who was a colossal figure in the East End stage, is seen as Capt. Kinross, the man at the helm of the Torrin. His wife is played by Celia Johnson, one of the best actresses of her generation, and who later would go to collaborate with Mr. Coward in what must be, perhaps, one of the best achievements in the English cinema, "Brief Encounter".

In supporting roles we see a young John Mills playing Shorty Blake. Bernard Miles is seen as the kind Walter Hardy. His wife Katherine is portrayed by Joyce Carey, another excellent character actress who was always a welcome presence in any film in which she appeared. Kay Walsh, Michael Wilding, Daniel Massey seen as a young boy, and the baby Juliet Mills also appear in the film.

"In Which We Serve" is still a pleasure to watch because it shows the valor of the men called to defend their country.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

In Which We Serve

Filming Locations:

Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP240,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Two Cities Films, The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Sound System)

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1