The Cruel Sea (1953)

The Cruel Sea (1953) (Blu-Ray) (*)

~~$29.99~~ $23.97

Screened, competed or awarded at:
BAFTA Awards
Oscar Academy Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Dolby Linear PCM )
English ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( Blu-Ray/Region B )

Running Time:
127 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Black & White
Remastered

Movie filmed in 1953 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Charles Frend

Written By:
Eric Ambler
Nicholas Monsarrat

Actors:
Jack Hawkins ..... Ericson
Donald Sinden ..... Lockhart
John Stratton ..... Ferraby
Denholm Elliott ..... Morell
John Warner ..... Baker
Stanley Baker ..... Bennett
Bruce Seton ..... Tallow
Liam Redmond ..... Watts
Virginia McKenna ..... Julie Hallam
Moira Lister ..... Elaine Morell
June Thorburn ..... Doris Ferraby
Megs Jenkins ..... Tallow's sister
Meredith Edwards ..... Yeoman Wells
Glyn Houston ..... Phillips
Alec McCowen ..... Tonbridge

Synopsis:

In this seagoing military drama set in World War II, Lt. Comdr. Ericson (Jack Hawkins) is made captain of a British corvette, a small escort vessel used to guide and protect convoys traveling through the Atlantic. Ericson had his confidence severely shaken during his last command, in which he lost his ship and most of its men following an attack by a German U-boat. As he leads a new and largely inexperienced crew aboard the H.M.S. Compass Rose, Ericson is once again thrown into a life-and-death dilemma that forces him to choose between destroying an enemy ship and sparing the lives of his own men. The Cruel Sea featured breakthrough early performances from Denholm Elliott and Virginia McKenna, and it was based on a best-selling novel by Nicholas Monsarrat, who stipulated that the film rights could be sold only to a British company.

It is extremely rare for a film on World War II to take a subtle, understated approach, but that is exactly what The Cruel Sea does, and the result is one of the most underrated and moving war films. Director Charles Frend takes an almost documentary approach to this story of British seamen. There is little plot except depicting the men's daily fight for survival, and although there are battle scenes, and effective ones at that, The Cruel Sea derives its principal strength from its ability to make the audience identify with its characters. In scene after scene, whether they are in battle or visiting their girlfriends or wives back home, the war is always present on their faces and in their body language. Frend handles many key sequences with an exhilarating lack of bombast, more often than not placing primary focus on the characters' reaction to the drama. But this is also not the stiff-upper-lip stoicism that is sometimes present in British war films; the emotion is there, it is just not jammed down the viewer's throat. Jack Hawkins is terrific as the civilian seaman who finds himself as a naval officer, and the supporting cast includes Donald Sinden and Denholm Elliott. The film's black-and-white documentary feel allows the filmmakers to incorporate stock footage, and also adds to the authentic feel of the picture. And the music score, like the film itself, is emotional without being overwhelming. The Cruel Sea ultimately achieves the unexpected: It explores the effect of war on its combatants without ever succumbing to sensationalism or jingoism.

This product was added to our catalog on Monday 12 September, 2011.