Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)

In the first major naval battle of World War II, the British Navy must find and destroy a powerful German warship.

Directors:

Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Writers:

Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Stars:

John Gregson, Anthony Quayle, Peter Finch

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Gregson	...	Captain Bell - H.M.S. Exeter
Anthony Quayle	...	Commodore Harwood-H.M.S. Ajax
Peter Finch	...	Captain Hans Langsdorff - 'Admiral Graf Spee'
Ian Hunter	...	Captain Woodhouse - H.M.S. Ajax
Jack Gwillim	...	Captain Parry - H.M.N.Z.S. Achilles
Bernard Lee	...	Captain Dove - M.S. Africa Shell
Lionel Murton	...	Mike Fowler
Anthony Bushell	...	Mr. Millington Drake - British Minister, Montevideo
Peter Illing	...	Dr. Guani - Foreign Minister, Uruguay
Michael Goodliffe	...	Captain McCall - R.N., British Naval Attache, Buenos Aires
Patrick Macnee	...	Lieutenant Commander Medley R.N.
John Chandos	...	Dr. Langmann - German Minister, Montevideo
Douglas Wilmer	...	M. Desmoulins - French Minister, Montevideo
William Squire	...	Ray Martin
Roger Delgado	...	Captain Varela - Uruguayan Navy

Storyline

In the fall of 1939, the German heavy cruiser (referred to as a pocket battleship) Graf Spee seems to have command of the Atlantic. In the first three months of World War II, she was responsible for sinking 9 ships. The British sent three cruisers commanded by Commodore Henry Harwood to confront her. The battle took place on December 13, 1939 and the British came out on top. The Graf Spee headed for the neutral harbor of Montevideo, Uruguay. They were given only a short time to effect repairs and the British did their best to make them believe a British fleet of 6 or 8 ships awaited them. Rather than chance the loss of his men, the German captain ordered the Graf Spee scuttled.

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Plot Keywords:

warship | royal navy | nazi officer | kriegsmarine | year 1939 | 

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Taglines:

Suspense Clutches Your Heart in This Spectacular Saga of the Sea!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German Spanish

Release Date:

November 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pursuit of the Graf Spee

Filming Locations:

Atlantic Ocean

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Archers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min 106 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (VistaVision)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There was strong speculation than German Captain Hans Langsdorff committed suicide rather than face the humiliation of losing his ship. There was even more speculation that he did it because he feared what Adolf Hitler would do to him if he returned to Germany. At the time, the Graf Spee was the pride of the German Navy, and scuttling her would have been regarded as treason.

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Goofs

When the petty officer runs forward on Exeter after she is hit in the bow, he reacts to the explosion of another shell before the hit occurs. He then completely disappears between frames and a repair party suddenly appears. It can also be seen that the ship is not moving through the water during these scenes.

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Quotes

Captain Bell - H.M.S. Exeter: Can reach Plymouth if ordered...

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Crazy Credits

H.M.S. Sheffield as H.M.S. Ajax

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Connections

Referenced in The South Bank Show: Michael Powell (1986)

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Soundtracks

Cabalgata de los Gauchos
(uncredited)
Music by Brian Easdale
Lyrics by Manuel Salina
Performed by April Olrich (dubbed by Muriel Smith)

User Reviews

Excellent British Naval Drama. A Must-see.

I love this movie. Peter Finch stars as Capt. Langsdorf of the German "pocket" battleship Admiral Graf Spee. He is perfect; from the almost swashbuckly entrance and dialogue with Capt. Dove, a merchant captain whose ship they've just sunk, to the trance-like confusion at the end of the film. There are so many great actors in this film its almost like "the Longest Day," except these guys act. Christopher Lee as Manolo, the jealous bar owner; Anthony Quayle as Commodore Harwood; Anthony Newly as a sailor with about three lines that he still manages to over-act; and John Gregson, who plays Capt. Bell of the British cruiser Exeter. Well known, and often quirky co-directors and writers, Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell bring together spectacular shots of many of the actual ships involved in the battle with an almost ensemble-like feeling in the cast. From the British Ambassador with the no-nonsense, sharped-tongued secretary to the goofy-gaucho interpreter for the reporter, Mike Fowler, these powerfully presented characters intensify the real drama of this battle. It wasn't just a sea battle, it was political, involving sailors, spies, and bad cafe singing.