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IMDbPro

Pursuit of the Graf Spee

Original title: The Battle of the River Plate
  • 19561956
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Drama
In the first major naval battle of World War II, the British Navy must find and destroy a powerful German warship.In the first major naval battle of World War II, the British Navy must find and destroy a powerful German warship.In the first major naval battle of World War II, the British Navy must find and destroy a powerful German warship.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Writers
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Stars
    • John Gregson
    • Anthony Quayle
    • Peter Finch
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Writers
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Stars
    • John Gregson
    • Anthony Quayle
    • Peter Finch
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 55User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 3 nominations total

    Photos61

    Peter Finch, Jack Gwillim, John Gregson, and Anthony Quayle in Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    In Which We Serve (1942)
    Peter Finch, Jack Gwillim, John Gregson, Ian Hunter, and Anthony Quayle in Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Jack Gwillim in Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Jack Gwillim and John Merivale in Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Jack Gwillim and John Merivale in Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)
    Peter Finch in Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Gregson
    John Gregson
    • Captain Bell - H.M.S. Exeteras Captain Bell - H.M.S. Exeter
    Anthony Quayle
    Anthony Quayle
    • Commodore Harwood-H.M.S. Ajaxas Commodore Harwood-H.M.S. Ajax
    Peter Finch
    Peter Finch
    • Captain Langsdorff - 'Admiral Graf Spee'as Captain Langsdorff - 'Admiral Graf Spee'
    Ian Hunter
    Ian Hunter
    • Captain Woodhouse - H.M.S. Ajaxas Captain Woodhouse - H.M.S. Ajax
    Jack Gwillim
    Jack Gwillim
    • Captain Parry - H.M.N.Z.S. Achillesas Captain Parry - H.M.N.Z.S. Achilles
    Bernard Lee
    Bernard Lee
    • Captain Dove - M.S. Africa Shellas Captain Dove - M.S. Africa Shell
    H.M.S. Sheffield
    • H. M. S. Ajaxas H. M. S. Ajax
    I.N.S. Delhi
    • H.M.N.Z.S. Achillesas H.M.N.Z.S. Achilles
    H.M.S. Jamaica
    • H.M.S. Exeteras H.M.S. Exeter
    H.M.S. Cumberland
    • H.M.S. Cumberlandas H.M.S. Cumberland
    Lionel Murton
    • Mike Fowleras Mike Fowler
    Anthony Bushell
    Anthony Bushell
    • Mr. Millington Drake - British Minister, Montevideoas Mr. Millington Drake - British Minister, Montevideo
    Peter Illing
    Peter Illing
    • Dr. Guani - Foreign Minister, Uruguayas Dr. Guani - Foreign Minister, Uruguay
    Michael Goodliffe
    Michael Goodliffe
    • Captain McCall - R.N., British Naval Attache, Buenos Airesas Captain McCall - R.N., British Naval Attache, Buenos Aires
    Patrick Macnee
    Patrick Macnee
    • Lieutenant Commander Medley R.N.as Lieutenant Commander Medley R.N.
    John Chandos
    • Dr. Langmann - German Minister, Montevideoas Dr. Langmann - German Minister, Montevideo
    Douglas Wilmer
    Douglas Wilmer
    • M. Desmoulins - French Minister, Montevideoas M. Desmoulins - French Minister, Montevideo
    William Squire
    William Squire
    • Ray Martinas Ray Martin
    • Directors
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • Writers
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Midshipmen's quarters were empty because Captain Langsdorff had promoted all of his Midshipmen to Ensigns in order to make room for his prisoners.
    • Goofs
      When Captain Dove is first brought aboard the Graf Spee, the anti-aircraft gunners are wearing US-pattern steel helmets, not the German "coal-scuttle" Stahlhelm. This is noticeable in various other scenes as well, and is due to the fact that the Graf Spee is being played by the USS Salem.
    • Quotes

      Captain Langsdorff 'Admiral Graff Spee': [to Captain Dove] Every commander is alone, Captain.

    • Crazy credits
      H.M.S. Sheffield as H.M.S. Ajax
    • Connections
      Featured in The Story of Making the Film They're a Weird Mob (1966)
    • Soundtracks
      Cabalgata de los Gauchos
      (uncredited)

      Music by Brian Easdale

      Lyrics by Manuel Salina

      Performed by April Olrich (dubbed by Muriel Smith)

    User reviews55

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    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.
    helpful•23
    3
    • erwin5711
    • Sep 15, 2005

    FAQ1

    • When the sun rises,one of the crew says " There she is, the old tiriagi(sic)".What is this word and where does it come from, I've searched on the web and cannot find anything.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1957 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Panzerschiff Graf Spee
    • Filming locations
      • Cromarty Firth, Invergordon, Highland, Scotland, UK
    • Production company
      • The Archers
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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