THE CRUEL SEA
UK, 1953, 126 minutes, Black and white.
Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden, John Stratton, Denholm Elliott, Stanley Baker, Liam Redmond, Virginia Mc Kenna, Moira Lister, June Thorburn, Megs Jenkins, Meredith Edwards, Glyn Houston, Alec Mc Cowan.
Directed by Charles Frend.
The Cruel Sea is based on a novel by Nicholas Monsarrat (who also wrote The Story of Esther Costello). It was adapted for the screen by prolific screenwriter and novelist, Eric Ambler. It was directed by Charles Frend, a director of the more serious films at Ealing Studios including Scott of the Antarctic, Lease of Life.
The film is a no-nonsense presentation of war action. It does not have the high heroics of so many of the British film memoirs of World War Two of this period.
Jack Hawkins is excellent as the captain with Donald Sinden as his assistant. A group of prominent British character actors fill out the supporting roles. The film focuses on an escort ship and its activities in World War Two, accompanying the fleet, rescuing those injured by U-boat torpedoes. The film is not sentimental – but actually creates a strong atmosphere of life on board the ship, the bonds between the men and their working together in such difficult conditions in the atmosphere of war.
The Cruel Sea is considered by many amongst the top war films of all time.
1. How good a war film was this? Why were films like this so important in the 'fifties? Their impact then and now? The main differences? Are they important now?
2. This film was noted as a quality production. Was this evident? Where?
3. How important were films like this for British patriotism? For understanding the British spirit during the war? Britain’s view of herself and her war effort and heroism? How important was heroism in this film, ordinary heroism? Was the film convincing in this way?
4. The role of the sea itself in the film? As a friend supporting the ships? As an enemy ready to be cruel, and destructive, silent and equally destructive? As a sea which drowns men and swallows up ships? A cruel sea in war?
5. How impressive was the picture of the Navy and war? The building up of the Navy in war effort? The men’s backgrounds, civil captains, car salesmen. lawyers etc.? Their volunteering. preparation and training, their effectiveness? Had did the film portray this in its details?
6. The importance of training and skill for the Navy? The interest of these sequences in the film? The effect when they were able to destroy an enemy submarine? The disaster when they ware destroyed?
7. What was the impact of suffering and death in this film? The men going overboard, drowning and freezing? Their wounds? The effect amongst themselves? On men like Lockhart? On the audience? The meaning of suffering and death in war situations and effort? Fatality or heroism?
8. How important was the comradeship that emerged during the war? How did the ordinary details of interaction communicate this? Their meeting, life on the ship, meals and conversation, clashes of personality, success and sharing in it, disaster and sharing in this?
9. How central a character was Erickson? His skill in handling the ship? His relationship with the other men?
10. How interesting were the other characters especially Lockhart? As a parallel with Erickson? His attitudes during the war, his growth as a person? The importance of Julie in his life?
11. What did the minor characters contribute to the film? Morell and his legal background, his wife's infidelity? Bennett and his self-importance as First Lieutenant and his ineffectiveness? The other seamen and their time on shore, plans for marriage, Ferrarby and his wife? The importance of the party for the celebration of the submarine's destruction?
12. What did the film finally say about Britain's war effort and the Navy and its effect on people?
