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The Cruel Sea

  • 19531953
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 6m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jack Hawkins in The Cruel Sea (1953)
Home Video Extra (Clip) from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:17
1 Video
42 Photos
  • Drama
  • War
The World War II adventures of a British convoy escort ship and its officers.The World War II adventures of a British convoy escort ship and its officers.The World War II adventures of a British convoy escort ship and its officers.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Charles Frend
  • Writers
    • Nicholas Monsarrat(by)
    • Eric Ambler(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jack Hawkins
    • Donald Sinden
    • John Stratton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Charles Frend
  • Writers
    • Nicholas Monsarrat(by)
    • Eric Ambler(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jack Hawkins
    • Donald Sinden
    • John Stratton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 72User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Cruel Sea
    Trailer 2:17
    The Cruel Sea

    Photos42

    Donald Sinden in The Cruel Sea (1953)
    The Cruel Sea (1953)
    The Cruel Sea (1953)
    The Cruel Sea (1953)
    The Cruel Sea (1953)
    The Cruel Sea (1953)
    The Cruel Sea (1953)
    Jack Hawkins in The Cruel Sea (1953)
    The Cruel Sea (1953)
    Donald Sinden in The Cruel Sea (1953)
    Donald Sinden in The Cruel Sea (1953)
    The Cruel Sea (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jack Hawkins
    Jack Hawkins
    • Ericsonas Ericson
    Donald Sinden
    Donald Sinden
    • Lockhartas Lockhart
    John Stratton
    John Stratton
    • Ferrabyas Ferraby
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • Morellas Morell
    John Warner
    • Bakeras Baker
    Stanley Baker
    Stanley Baker
    • Bennettas Bennett
    Bruce Seton
    Bruce Seton
    • Tallowas Tallow
    Liam Redmond
    Liam Redmond
    • Wattsas Watts
    Virginia McKenna
    Virginia McKenna
    • Julie Hallamas Julie Hallam
    Moira Lister
    Moira Lister
    • Elaine Morellas Elaine Morell
    June Thorburn
    June Thorburn
    • Doris Ferrabyas Doris Ferraby
    Megs Jenkins
    Megs Jenkins
    • Tallow's Sisteras Tallow's Sister
    Meredith Edwards
    Meredith Edwards
    • Yeoman Wellsas Yeoman Wells
    Glyn Houston
    Glyn Houston
    • Phillipsas Phillips
    Alec McCowen
    Alec McCowen
    • Tonbridgeas Tonbridge
    Leo Phillips
    • Wainwrightas Wainwright
    Dafydd Havard
    Dafydd Havard
    • Signalman Roseas Signalman Rose
    Fred Griffiths
    • Graceyas Gracey
    • Director
      • Charles Frend
    • Writers
      • Nicholas Monsarrat(by)
      • Eric Ambler(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jack Hawkins wrote in his 1973 autobiography "Anything for a Quiet Life" regarding this film, "All of us in the film were sure that we were making something quite unusual, and a long way removed from the Errol Flynn-taking-Burma-single-handed syndrome. This was the period of some very indifferent American war movies, whereas 'The Cruel Sea' contained no false heroics. That is why we all felt that we were making a genuine example of the way in which a group of men went to war."
    • Goofs
      Some depth charges are clearly labelled "INERT FILLED."
    • Quotes

      Norwegian Captain: You are thinking about the men in the water? The men you had to kill?

      Capt. Ericson: The men I had to kill.

      French Captain: It was necessary to do it.

      Norwegian Captain: It is war. There is no blame. But there may be thoughts.

      French Captain: Naturally there may be thoughts.

      Norwegian Captain: And for thoughts, there is gin.

    • Connections
      Featured in Only Fools and Horses: To Hull and Back (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      The Chestnut Tree
      or "The Spreading Chestnut Tree" (uncredited)

      Author unknown, perhaps traditional song

      Sung by the sailors in the raft to keep awake

    User reviews72

    Review
    Top review
    Torpedos off Starboard Bow
    Archetypal British WW2 fare which is very clearly a cut above the rest. Jack Hawkins steers HMS Compass Rose, a small escort ship, through the perils of convoy duty and the ever present risk of U-boats.

    Hawkins excels as the exhausted Captain in this no frills account of men battling against a constant and ruthless enemy - the sea. A melancholic soundtrack and the distinct lack of jingoism create a forlorn atmosphere as the ship's company endures periods of grinding boredom interrupted only by the sudden terror of U-boat attacks. In the tensest of scenes, during a rare heady pursuit, the radar gives Hawkins his firmest ever indication of an enemy submarine. "There are men in the water just there" he murmurs, realising that as Captain he is alone in making an agonising decision - whether to drop depth charges and risk killing a group of British survivors floating ahead of him. The attack is pressed home, killing the defenceless men but failing to hit the U-boat, and leads to a moving scene where Hawkins' resolute professionalism crumbles in a brief but heartfelt show of drunken emotion.

    The trips to sea are punctuated by tableaux scenes on shore, where the tribulations of officers and crew are no less fraught with threats and worry. In a country under siege there can be no escape from air-raids or even an adulterous wife. "It's no-ones fault" says Hawkins "It's the war, the whole bloody war." A strong supporting cast, includes 'youngsters' Denholm Elliot, Donald Sinden and Stanley Baker.

    This is a film that succeeds in telling how dangerously close to the edge the British came during the Battle of the Atlantic and of the enormous impact it had on ordinary individuals. The closing scene leaves the audience with a real sense of how, after five long years of war, a nation was left exhausted and emotionally drained.
    helpful•40
    1
    • Rob Fox
    • Feb 19, 1999

    FAQ4

    • What was the Battle of the Atlantic?
    • What were the tactics?
    • How did the Allies prevail?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 19, 1953 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Okrutno more
    • Filming locations
      • Her Majesty's Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Ealing Studios
      • Michael Balcon Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 6 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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