The Silent Enemy

This is one of those wartime stories that straddles fact and fiction - and it does it quite well. Laurence Harvey ("Crabbe") is an enthusiastic RN officer posted to Gibraltar at the height of WWII. The naval base there has been the subject of attacks by a new type of mine that is attached to the hulls of the harbouring ships then explodes, unpredictably, some time later. As the costs of these attacks start to mount, "Crabbe" and his rather motley crew must find a way to engage the team of Italian divers who are operating from the nearby neutral Spanish port of Algeciras using an uniquely designed underwater "chariot". It's got a solid British cast - Michael Craig, John Clements and Alec McGowan who are all enjoyably knocked into shape by an on-form Sid James as "CPO. Thorpe"; and William Alwyn delivers his usually high standard of score to accompany the frequent adventures as the whole thing gathers speed nicely. It's a touch too long, the first fifteen minutes could do with some pruning, but it is still a well put together story of a seldom depicted aspect of sea warfare with some decent characterful performances.