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Nicholas Monsarrat's novel is an unflinching, realistic and emotionally involving account of naval life during the Second World War in which the "heroes" are the men, the "heroines" the ships and the "villain" is not so much the German U-Boats lurking below as "the cruel sea" itself. This 1953 film has become a classic of British cinema largely because it is a straightforward, no-frills adaptation of the book and retain's much of the original's compelling yet almost understated dramatic focus. On convoy duty in the North Atlantic, the crew of HMS Compass Rose face as a matter of routine the threat of destruction from U-Boats as well as a constant struggle against the elements. The convoys themselves are Britain's only lifeline and their loss would lead to certain defeat, but in the early years of the war the ships sent to protect them can do almost nothing to prevent the U-Boat attacks. Jack Hawkins gives one of his finest performances as Captain Ericson, the commander who has to balance destroying the enemy against saving the lives of the men under his care. In one unforgettable scene--a crucial turning point for all the characters--he must decide whether to depth charge a suspected submarine despite the presence of British sailors in the water. As with the book, the individual officers and their lives are carefully delineated, helped by the strength of a cast of (then) young actors (notably Donald Sinden and Denholm Elliot). Ultimately what makes The Cruel Sea such an undeniable classic is that it has neither the flag-waving jingoism nor the war-is-hell melodrama so common to most war movies: instead it relates in an almost matter-of-fact way the bitterness of the conflict at sea fought by ordinary men placed in the most extraordinary of circumstances. --Mark Walker
Product Description
World War Two drama, based on the best-selling book by Nicholas Monsarrat, starring Jack Hawkins. Lt. Commander Ericson (Hawkins) has already lost one ship to an enemy attack when he is given command of the frigate Saltash Castle. A subsequent confrontation in the North Atlantic tests Ericson's leadership to the limit once again, as he risks sacrificing the lives of his crew for the greater good.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Nicholas Monsarrat's novel is an unflinching, realistic and emotionally involving account of naval life during the Second World War in which the "heroes" are the men, the "heroines" the ships and the "villain" is not so much the German U-Boats lurking below as "the cruel sea" itself. This 1953 film has become a classic of British cinema largely because it is a straightforward, no-frills adaptation of the book and retain's much of the original's compelling yet almost understated dramatic focus. On convoy duty in the North Atlantic, the crew of HMS Compass Rose face as a matter of routine the threat of destruction from U-Boats as well as a constant struggle against the elements. The convoys themselves are Britain's only lifeline and their loss would lead to certain defeat, but in the early years of the war the ships sent to protect them can do almost nothing to prevent the U-Boat attacks. Jack Hawkins gives one of his finest performances as Captain Ericson, the commander who has to balance destroying the enemy against saving the lives of the men under his care. In one unforgettable scene--a crucial turning point for all the characters--he must decide whether to depth charge a suspected submarine despite the presence of British sailors in the water. As with the book, the individual officers and their lives are carefully delineated, helped by the strength of a cast of (then) young actors (notably Donald Sinden and Denholm Elliot). Ultimately what makes The Cruel Sea such an undeniable classic is that it has neither the flag-waving jingoism nor the war-is-hell melodrama so common to most war movies: instead it relates in an almost matter-of-fact way the bitterness of the conflict at sea fought by ordinary men placed in the most extraordinary of circumstances.
63 of 68 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A realistic and thoughtful look at men at war, with a fine performance by Jack Hawkins
12 Jun 2007
Format:DVD
The Cruel Sea is, in my view, one of the best movies yet made dealing with naval men at war in WWII. It's the story of the Compass Rose, newly commissioned in 1940 as a convoy escort, and the officers and men who served on her. Her captain (Jack Hawkins) was fresh from the merchant marine; her new officers had seen almost no sea duty. They learned on the job as they protected convoys in the North Atlantic and then in the run to the Mediterranean.
What makes this movie so good is its matter-of-factness. There are no heroics, just men learning their jobs and doing their duty, with some who die and some who survive. The scene where Captain Ericson decides to use depth charges to destroy a suspected submarine hiding below a group of struggling survivors from a torpedoed freighter is harrowing. The DVD I saw has a good but by no means first-class image transfer.
The novel, The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat, is largely forgotten now. It remains one of the most evocative books to come out of WWII. The movie is well worth seeing. The book is certainly well worth reading.
What makes this movie so good is its matter-of-factness. There are no heroics, just men learning their jobs and doing their duty, with some who die and some who survive. The scene where Captain Ericson decides to use depth charges to destroy a suspected submarine hiding below a group of struggling survivors from a torpedoed freighter is harrowing. The DVD I saw has a good but by no means first-class image transfer.
The novel, The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat, is largely forgotten now. It remains one of the most evocative books to come out of WWII. The movie is well worth seeing. The book is certainly well worth reading.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Stargazer
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had been waiting forever for this film to be released on DVD and once it was, I was "in like Flynn" with my pre order. The Cruel Sea is as perfectly understated and as moving as you would expect from a great English film of the fifties. The performance of Jack Hawkins was mesmerising, Donald Sinden and Virginia McKenna had memorable debuts, Moira Lister was perfect as the unfaithful self centred wife, as was Stanley Baker as the first lieutenant with the chip on his shoulder.
The Cruel Sea manages to convey the dedication to duty, the uncertainty of life, the cynicism of planning for a future, the self doubts and insecurities of men making life deciding decisions and trying to keep their private lives in tact as well.
The "Compass Rose" was sent out to track and destroy enemy submarines and ships.She was a corvette,and played hide and seek herself sitting at the bottom of the sea as depth charges from above seek them out.
One of the Compass Roses officers cracks under the strain and has to be hospitalised,whilst another goes home on leave to find his spoiled wife
(played brilliantly by Moira Lister) is more concerned with her social life and her friends than she is of a husband home on leave.
The Cruel Sea is one the great British movies, certainly every bit as good as it's main rivals for the title, The Third Man,The English Patient,and Lawrence of Arabia.For me,it's the best of all British films,thanks largely to the performance of Jack Hawkins.Highly recommended.
The Cruel Sea manages to convey the dedication to duty, the uncertainty of life, the cynicism of planning for a future, the self doubts and insecurities of men making life deciding decisions and trying to keep their private lives in tact as well.
The "Compass Rose" was sent out to track and destroy enemy submarines and ships.She was a corvette,and played hide and seek herself sitting at the bottom of the sea as depth charges from above seek them out.
One of the Compass Roses officers cracks under the strain and has to be hospitalised,whilst another goes home on leave to find his spoiled wife
(played brilliantly by Moira Lister) is more concerned with her social life and her friends than she is of a husband home on leave.
The Cruel Sea is one the great British movies, certainly every bit as good as it's main rivals for the title, The Third Man,The English Patient,and Lawrence of Arabia.For me,it's the best of all British films,thanks largely to the performance of Jack Hawkins.Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Battle of the Atlantic & the Brit class system
Jack Hawkins is magnificent and the cast contains some mainstays of British cinema and theatre in their youth. It's a bit riddled with the class prejudices of the day. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mr I
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Cruel Sea
Good old Jack Hawkins in this with Sir Don Sinden backing him up. Excellent story about the battle at sea in WWII against the U Boats pity its in black and white but still a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by spiderman2009
4.0 out of 5 stars
convoy duty
i knew americans who sailed merchants in the war--their tales were chilling--i read otis ferguson's journals about his last convoy run to murmansk--his journals captured the last... Read more
Published 1 month ago by craig s. morton
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic war film, not overplayed. Superb performance by Jack Hawkins
A film that can be seen over and over; a classic. Should be in every ones film collection. One of the greats.
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Peter Geach
5.0 out of 5 stars
maybe the best war film ever
i have lost count of the number of times i have watched this film.i have spent many years building up a large collection of war films, firstly on vhs and then on dvd (with some now... Read more
Published 2 months ago by bosspenny
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Cruel Sea
This to me still remains one of the leading 2nd WW films and while a little nostalgic still pulls some hard punches on the challenging decisions faced by those involved in the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by AG-Motty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommended
What can I say about this film that hasn't already been said? It's reputation as a classic is well-deserved and anyone who wants to see a film that is close to how the Battle of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by D.Buttery
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good movie
One of the classic British wartime movies. Obviously, somewhat dated but still eminently watchable. I have given it four rather than five stars because a fair amount is rather... Read more
Published 3 months ago by George Summers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas Present
Husband loved this as part of his christmas pressy. It was really good quality and kept hubby quiet for a couple of hours. Result.
Published 3 months ago by Pauline Cornish
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Cruel Sea
A classic war film with excellent cast and a very good effects. The work in restoring has been very impressive
Published 3 months ago by Ray
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