The Cruel Sea (1953)

NR02/24/1953Drama, History, War2h 6m
  • User
    Score

Overview

At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer

Top Billed Cast

  1. Cast 1

    Jack Hawkins

    Ericson

  2. Cast 1

    Donald Sinden

    Lockhart

  3. Cast 1

    Denholm Elliott

    Morell

  4. Cast 1

    John Stratton

    Ferraby

  5. Cast 1

    Stanley Baker

    Bennett

  6. Cast 1

    Liam Redmond

    Watts

  7. Cast 1

    Meredith Edwards

    Yeoman Wells

  8. Cast 1

    Bruce Seton

    Tallow

  9. Cast 1

    John Warner

    Baker

This has to be one of my favourite wartime adventures that really quite powerfully illustrates not only the perils of those sailing the Atlantic during the Second World War but the courage of the ordinary folks drafted in to man these tiny ships at the mercy of the weather and the U-boats. "Ericson" (Jack Hawkins) has been put in command of an convoy escort that's staffed by a rather obnoxious former used-car salesman "Bennett" (Stanley Baker) and two green-around-the-gills sub-lieutenants "Ferraby" (John Stratton) and "Lockhart" (Donald Sinden). Initially, their task is mainly to keep afloat ...