The Enemy Below (1957)

During World War II, an American destroyer discovers a German U-boat, thus ensuing in a deadly duel between the two ships. The American Captain must draw upon all his experience to defeat the equally experienced German commander.

Director:

Dick Powell

Writers:

Wendell Mayes (screenplay), D.A. Rayner (novel) (as Commander D.A. Rayner)

Stars:

Robert Mitchum, Curd Jürgens, David Hedison

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Mitchum	...	Capt. Murrell
Curd Jürgens	...	Von Stolberg (as Curt Jurgens)
David Hedison	...	Lt. Ware (as Al Hedison)
Theodore Bikel	...	'Heinie' Schwaffer
Russell Collins	...	Doctor
Kurt Kreuger	...	Von Holem
Frank Albertson	...	Lt. Crain
Biff Elliot	...	Quartermaster

Storyline

During World War II, the USS Haynes, an American destroyer escort discovers a German U-boat in the South Atlantic. A deadly duel between the two ships ensues, and Captain Murrell must draw upon all his experience to defeat the equally experienced German commander.

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Plot Keywords:

u boat | german submarine | u.s. navy | naval battle | submarine crew | 

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Taglines:

The death battle of the sub-killer and the killer-sub !

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Russell Collins (the ship's doctor) had a similar role as a philosophical doctor in Miss Sadie Thompson (1953).

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Goofs

The bridge game bidding ends with 'pass and double'. The bid should be 'double', and still must be followed by three consecutive 'pass' bids by the other players.

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Quotes

Doctor: I guess you're finding the Sun kind of hard to take, after the North Atlantic.
Captain Murrell: Oh, it doesn't matter. It's always either too cold or too hot, wherever there's a war on.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: WORLD WAR II THE SOUTH ATLANTIC

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Connections

Referenced in Angel: Judgment (2000)

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Soundtracks

So leben wir alle Tage
(Drinking Song) (uncredited)
Traditional German folksong sung to the tune of the "Dessauer Marsch"
English lyrics by Charles Henderson
Sung by Curd Jürgens and the crew of the U-Boat

User Reviews

A classic!

Have to agree with "bob the moo" on this one. I've seen it probably two dozen times, and will see it many more, I'm sure. One of my favorite "war" movies (w/Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens as destroyer and submarine captains, respectively). My other faves are "Platoon," "Full Metal Jacket," "Decision Before Dawn," (w/Oskar Werner and Richard Basehart--most excellent!), and of course, Kubrick's "Paths of Glory," w/Kirk Douglas, Adoph Menjou and George MacReady.

More than a blood-and-guts war movie (though it has plenty of terrific action scenes), it's more of a man-vs-man "cat and mouse" story. Absolutely excellent direction (by Dick Powell) and some terrific cinematography. Terrific scene between Jurgens and Theodore Bikel (who plays his Exec. Officer), that is nothing but facial gestures and eyebrows.

A very "moral" tale, it shows that even sworn enemies serving their countries in wartime can show respect and compassion toward each other, especially since they're all men-of-the-sea: sailors. Conversations between Mitchum and his ship's doctor and between Jurgens and his exec officer mirror each other. Note the scene of the American sailors pulling the German sailors aboard their lifeboats near the end; Mitchum helping rescue the U-boat captain and his exec after ramming them.

Great tale, well-scripted, acted, directed and shot. An model of how to make a terrific story into a movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

17 January 1958 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

The Enemy Below

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,910,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1