The Cruel Sea

1953 126 min ★ 7.0 Drama, History, War

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.

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Cast

Jack Hawkins

Ericson

Donald Sinden

Lockhart

Denholm Elliott

Morell

John Stratton

Ferraby

Stanley Baker

Bennett

Liam Redmond

Watts

Meredith Edwards

Yeoman Wells

Bruce Seton

Tallow

John Warner

Baker

Barry Letts

Raikes

Details

Director

Charles Frend

Screenplay

Eric Ambler

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Production

Ealing Studios, Michael Balcon Productions

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

August 23, 2024

★ 7/10

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 for...