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The Cruel Sea [DVD] [1953]
 
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The Cruel Sea [DVD] [1953]

DVD ~ Jack Hawkins
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)

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The Cruel Sea [DVD] [1953] 4.7 out of 5 stars (46)
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Product details

  • Actors: Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden, John Stratton, Denholm Elliott, John Warner
  • Directors: Charles Frend
  • Writers: Eric Ambler, Nicholas Monsarrat
  • Producers: Leslie Norman, Michael Balcon
  • Format: Black & White, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: 18 April 2005
  • Run Time: 121 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00008V6YR
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 40,585 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

Special Features
English
Region 2


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Customer Reviews

46 Reviews
5 star:
 (35)
4 star:
 (9)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (46 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
41 of 41 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
By C. O. DeRiemer (San Antonio, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Cruel Sea [DVD] [1953] (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.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling , 30 Nov 2004
By B. Jonsson "Literate Warlock" (falun, dalarna sweden) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Cruel Sea (Paperback)
The Cruel Sea had been in my book shelf for years, as part of some book sale deal when I first opened it. Not knowing what to expect, I started reading with an open mind and found myself completely enclosed by the atmosphere of WW2.

The book, a literary masterpiece, slowly and humbly tells us stories of war, fighting and death as well as love, longing and comradeship. The characters so real and true, it is hard to believe this is not based on real events. Or should I say, of course it is! Montsarrat is well acquainted with naval affairs, having worked as an officer himself and having lived through the war. Of course characters resemble persons he has met and actions are of course depicted in the most realistic ways, I wouldn't know, being totally ignorant to naval ways.

What i do know, however, is that I still think this may be the best book I have ever read! Montsarrat was indeed a compelling author and i have tried to find more novels by him.

I recommend you to read this book, for no other reason than that it is wonderful literature.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best war at sea film ever made., 6 Jun 2000
By Mr. M. Hatherell "Mark Hatherell" (Vauxhall, London, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Cruel Sea [VHS] [1953] (VHS Tape)
This film should be compulsory viewing for all would be film directors looking to make a war film. After watching the much hyped 'Saving Private Ryan' at the cinema my first thoughts on coming out into the light of day 'Not a patch on 'The Cruel Sea'. And it's true 'The Cruel Sea' is a materpiece of the story tellers art faithfully translated on to the big screen, the actors all put in excellent performances with Jack Hawkins managing to out shine everyone. I can't rate this film highly enough, it is an all time great and it deserves to be remembered as the materpiece it truely is.
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