RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP

US, 1958, 93 minutes, Black and white.
Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster, Jack Warden, Brad Dexter, Don Rickles.
Directed by Robert Wise.

Run Silent, Run Deep is a very strong and dramatic war film. It focuses on Clark Gable as a commander whose submarine has been sunk, who spends some time at a desk job and is finally given a new command. He is obsessed with finding the Japanese and attacking them. This puts his crew in danger and brings him into dramatic conflict with his lieutenant, played by Burt Lancaster.

Clark Gable had been in films for almost thirty years at this time – and was soon to die after making The Misfits. Burt Lancaster had been in films for twelve years, a range of dramatic roles as well as action adventures. He was soon to win the Oscar for his portrayal of Elmer Gantry.

The film is interesting in the pitting of these two strong actors against each other – and the film has a strong supporting cast led by Jack Warden.

The film was directed by Robert Wise who began his career as an editor and then a director of films for Val Lewton including The Body Snatchers. He made a number of genre films during the late 40s and right throughout the 1950s. These include The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Desert Rats, Helen of Troy. He was to win an Oscar for his direction of West Side Story in 1961 and another for The Sound of Music in 1965.

1. What kind of war film is this? How conventional?

2. Is the film now dated? It was made in the late 50s. Do you think it would have been dated then? What is its impact meant to be? As a story, a piece of history? As a tribute to men in the Second World War? What impact does it now have? enjoyable?

3. How does the film rely on details of submarine life and work for its impact? technical details and the intricacies of the submarine? How impressive was this in the film?

4. How does the film rely on impact and its suspense for our awareness of submarine skill? The number of practices for the attack on the shipping? Our participation in this? The skill required and the nerve?

5. How important were the obsessions in the film? For the dramatic impact? Richardson’s opposition after his initial defeat? His driving the crew and teaching them to attack? The way he communicated with the crew and his obsessive going after the submarine and the destroyer? Blitso’s obsession about being in command of the ship? the important question of human life at the expense of obsession? Was this theme explored?

6. How real was the personality clash between Richardson and Blitso? With whom did you sympathise? Richardson and his manoeuvring to get command after the initial defeat? Blitso and his popularity with the crew and the disappointment? The attitude of each towards the crew? The subordination and insubordination? How interesting was this? How did it create tension?

7. What kind of man was Richardson? initial sinking of the submarine? His desk-work and manoeuvring of his command? The glimpse of him at home? His collaboration with Blitso and his opportunity in experience? his obsessive going after the chaps? His manoeuvring in the Bungo Straits? His illness and being relieved by Blitso? How moved ware you by his death? What insight into a war commander did this portrayal give?

8. How interesting a character was Blitso? the fact that he lacked experience? his popularity with the crew? His official loyalty to Richardson? His understanding of what Richardson was doing? His sharing the obsession without realising it? Did he do the right thing in relieving Richardson?

9. Was the portrayal of the crew members clear and interesting? gutter? Cartwright and his objections? the impact of their drill on them? The impact of their success? (After accusations that Richardson was a coward?) Their collaboration with Richardson at the end?

10. Comment on the sense of elation that the sinking of the Japanese craft had. How had the film manipulated audience sympathies and attack on the enemy? How useful is this? How valid? Is this the general effect of war films? How important are they for national morale boosting?