THE SILENT ENEMY

UK, 1958, 107 minutes, Black and white.
Laurence Harvey, Dawn Addams, John Clements, Michael Craig, Alec Mc Cowan, Sid James.
Directed by William Fairchild.

The Silent Enemy is one of many war tribute films made in Britain during the '50s. This film comes rather late in the decade. However, with its straightforward narrative and location photography in the Mediterranean, it is quite engrossing in its way. The setting is Gibraltar, the focus on the diving teams and the clashes with bomb disposal experts and Italian frogmen. The focus is on Lieutenant Lionel Crabb who is portrayed by Laurence Harvey (light-haired, bearded - and at times seeming a younger version of James Robertson Justice). Michael Craig and Alec Mc Cowan have supporting roles as his assistants and there is a strong supporting cast led by John Clements as the Admiral. Sid James has a typical role with a blend of seriousness and humour. There is an Italian cast portraying, in a quite balanced way, the Italian enemy group. There is a deal of underwater photography and some exciting encounters - which strongly anticipate Thunderball (and its remake, Never Say Never Again). Screenplay and direction are by William Fairchild.

1. An interesting war film? Action? Reflection on the nature of war? Heroics and tragedy? Tribute?

2. Black and white photography? Locations? The background of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean and Spain? The special effects for the encounters, the torpedoes? The musical score?

3. The popularity of this style of film in the '50s? The authentic background of the English forces? The atmosphere of war? The admirals and officials and their judgments? The ordinary men and their work? Enemy and sabotage? The unconventional hero - and his success? well-written, performed?

4. The film based on fact? The war of 1941? The importance of the Mediterranean and Gibraltar? The neutrality of Spain? The Italians undercover in Spain? Access of the British to Spain? The importance of developments in the work of frogmen? The importance of midget submarines?

5. The portrait of Lionel Crabb: Laurence Harvey's appearance and style? His arrival by plane and sleeping, his crusty attitudes, his criticisms of Jill Masters, the encounters with the admiral, his diving and encountering the admiral again? His unconventional attitudes? Working with his assistants? Fascination with the Italians? The saving of the midget submarine for the future? The sabotage in Gibraltar and the devastation? The defusing of explosives? Thorpe and his humour and the training of the squad? The decision to go into Spain, the captain of the trawler and the drinking? The undercover visit? The discovery of the concealed headquarters of the submarines? The attack and its destruction? Crabb as a personality, as hero?

6. The balance of presenting the British and the Italians? The attitude taken towards the Italians - respect for them and their skills as enemy? The mutual spying from Gibraltar to Spain?

7. Crabb's assistants? ordinary men? Their skills, heroism, humour? Thorpe and his arrival, his forcefulness, mistakes? His ability in training the men? His suggestion about authority and the bicycle into the sea? His care for Crabb and protecting him?

8. The naval authorities, the admiral, the discussions, the convoys coming into Gibraltar and the need for their protection? The sabotage and massive destruction? Jill Masters as assistant? Her encounters with Crabb? A feminine touch?

9. The recruits - the interviews, the types wanting to join the explosives group? The authentic touches of navy life?

10. The picture of the Italians - their cover, expertise, anticipation of British moves? Destruction?

11. The importance of the action sequences? The reality of sabotage? Explosives? Diving and skills? The final underwater battle?

12. The film's attitude towards World War Two? Support of the British? The lack of jingoistic tone? Satisfying war entertainment?