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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)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer. Atmospheric sea footage. —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
    • ship sinking
    • war at sea
    • german submarine
    • nazi u boat
    • anti submarine warfare
    • 49 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Surging to Life on the Screen!
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • War
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide

    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
    Superb for 1950's Brit movie
    Post British World War II movies helped sustain the ailing British Film industry in the 1950's. There were some truly awful movies made - probably so those who were really there could turn to their girls and say - "you know it wasn't really like that".

    The Cruel Sea is an exceptional exception. Firstly it is based on a superb book, secondly it is well cast with Jack Hawkins at the height of his powers playing Captain Ericsson and thirdly it is well abridged. Getting a 500 page novel into 121 mins means that there will be cuts - but they are well done and the narrative thread of the book is not lost. There is also very little "messing with the story" so prevalent in Hollywood.

    The Royal Navy obviously thought the movie worth supporting and helped find a real Flower Class corvette. Of all 135 built - 22 had been sunk by the enemy, 13 lost in bad weather and the rest paid off after the war. "Compass Rose" sails across the screen - firing her weapons and throwing her depth charges (you want to see what REAL depth charges are like when they go off - watch this) in beautifully photographed black and white action sequences.

    Suspend your historical accuracy regarding true ship detail however - throughout the movie the Flower is in her 1945 paid off configuration with a lantern style radar that wasn't introduced till half way through the war and the continuity switches from moderate weather to flat calm at the flick of a scene as needed when the ship is making turns. Still you want to see heavy weather - there is some real rough stuff with the corvette punching into it and some stock wartime footage very carefully grafted in to give the necessary verisimilitude.

    But the real narrative is how the specks of humanity are treated by the war and the cruel sea and it is amply conveyed in the morning after a torpedo'ing. Count how many are INCREDIBLY lucky to be found alive in rafts and remember how many were on the ship that was sunk in the night. It's a grim ratio and a vivid portrayal of the real cost of the Battle of the Atlantic.

    Young and upcoming Donald Sinden, Denholm Elliot and Virginia McKenna support this superb movie - it made Donald Sinden.

    I hope there is a DVD coming because the photography is clearly good enough to be shown at a higher resolution but this should not stop you watching this now.
    helpful•79
    1
    • swjg
    • Aug 20, 2004

    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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