Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Cruel Sea (1952)
Director: Charles Frend
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
A sterling, old-fashioned war film of the type too readily devalued these days. Jack Hawkins gives perhaps his most notable performance as the captain of a Royal Navy corvette, suggesting as much life above as below that stiff upper lip, while Eric Ambler's adaptation of Nicholas Monsarrat's book gives the minnows their due as the enlisted men face storms and German U-boats with more courage than experience. Best of all, Frend's documentary style puts us smack in the middle of the Atlantic - the cruel sea indeed.Author: TCh
User reviews of this film
-
- Neville said...
- Posted on Mar 26 2009 13:45 It is easy to forget there once was a time when Britain made films of eloquence and understaed grandeur such as The Cruel Sea. Following the exploits of the North Atlantic convoys during the U boat emergency of the second world war, Jack Hawkins gives a rugged yet moving performance as the tortured skipper who has to make a split second decision whether to rescue survivors in the water or atttack the presumed U boat underneath them. His portrait of tortured intelligence has hardly ever been bettered, and he is given terrific support from genial Number 2 played by Donald Sinden. It's an old fashioned, unshowy film about courage, endurance, fortitude and comradeship, all played out against the Atlantic itself. A beautiful, enduring classic.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Charles Frend
Producer: Leslie Norman
Cast: Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden, Stanley Baker, John Stratton, Denholm Elliott, Virginia McKenna, Moira Lister, Liam Redmond, Alec McCowen full cast
Genre(s): War
Duration: 126 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now