In the Mediterranean in 1941 the Italians start using underwater chariots to mine the undersides of allied ships. Explosives expert Lionel Crabbe arrives in Gibraltar to organise defenses, ...
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Title: The Silent Enemy (1958)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Laurence Harvey | ... | Lieutenant Crabb, R.N.V.R. | |
| Dawn Addams | ... | Third Officer Jill Masters, W.R.N.S. | |
| Michael Craig | ... | Leading Seaman Knowles | |
 |
John Clements | ... | The Admiral |
| Sidney James | ... | Chief Petty Officer Thorpe | |
| Alec McCowen | ... | Able Seaman Morgan | |
| Nigel Stock | ... | Able Seaman Fraser | |
|
|
Ian Whittaker | ... | Ordinary Seaman Thomas |
| Arnoldo Foà | ... | Tomolino (as Arnoldo Foa) | |
| Gianna Maria Canale | ... | Conchita | |
| Massimo Serato | ... | Forzellini | |
| Giacomo Rossi Stuart | ... | Rosati (as Giacomo Rossi-Stuart) | |
| Carlo Giustini | ... | Fellini (as Carlo Justini) | |
| Raymond Young | ... | Celloni | |
| David Lodge | ... | Sergeant | |
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Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
In the Mediterranean in 1941 the Italians start using underwater chariots to mine the undersides of allied ships. Explosives expert Lionel Crabbe arrives in Gibraltar to organise defenses, but finds only two British divers available to help him. Even more worrying, it seems likely that the Italians are secretly using neutral Spain across the bay as their key base. Written by Jeremy Perkins {J-26}
Taglines:
Based on the TRUE exploits of Commander Crabb, heroic Frogman of World War II See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKRelease Date:
4 March 1958 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
Froschmann Crabb See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Lieutenant Crabb, R.N.V.R.: Not unless you change yours.
Ordinary Seaman Thomas: Oh no, sir, but there is one small point I think I should mention...
Lieutenant Crabb, R.N.V.R.: What's that?
Ordinary Seaman Thomas: I can't swim!
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
According to the book "A Biography Of Sid James", James was offered the role of Chief Petty Officer Thorpe on the recommendation of his friend Laurence Harvey, but their friendship ended during the filming. He found Harvey to be "pompous and full of his own importance". It's said that the two never spoke to each other again after filming had ended. See more »Goofs
When Crabb disarms the Italian mine he took from a ship the previous evening, he is next to a Shackleton bomber. The film is set in 1941; the Shackleton did not take its first flight until 1949. See more »Quotes
Ordinary Seaman Thomas: We really have got the job haven't we? You won't change your mind?Lieutenant Crabb, R.N.V.R.: Not unless you change yours.
Ordinary Seaman Thomas: Oh no, sir, but there is one small point I think I should mention...
Lieutenant Crabb, R.N.V.R.: What's that?
Ordinary Seaman Thomas: I can't swim!
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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Laurence Harvey in, I think his best role, playing Lionel Kenneth "Buster" Crabb OBE GM. I love this film, based on a true story and a real life hero. Crabb was awarded the George Medal for his work in Gibraltar to disarm mines from British warships based there.
There is a great mix of fact and some humour thrown in with the appearance of Sid James as a Chief Petty Officer charged with getting the new frogmen fit for the long and dangerous work they had to undertake. A classic British Black and white war film in every sense.
Its also a film close to my heart as my late father actually dived with Lt Cdr. Crabb on HMS Reclaim just before he went missing undertaking secret dives underneath the soviet cruiser Ordzhonikidze in Portsmouth Harbour.
Overall a great must watch film for B&W war film fans.