The Silver Fleet

This is a wonder of a film, completely unknown and gradually being discovered as an exceptional gem of priceless interest in the flood of war propaganda films of the second world war. Emeric Pressburger wrote the original story, and you can trace his hand everywhere, so that it actually could be suspected on reasonable grounds that this was an ordinary Powell- Pressburger film all through, but Vernon Sewell, who lived to be almost 98 and made many praiseworthy films, together with Gordon Wellesley softened the script somewhat and made it more stringent with marvellous results for the action, the developing plot of constant surprises, the very sensitive nuances of the characters and all supported by the perfectly adapted dramatic music by Allan Gray. Although Ralph Richardson makes as eloquent and clearcut a character as ever, always reliable for interesting and straight-backed integrity, the most interesting performance is by Esmond Knight as the leading nazi, making quite a nazi character out of the ordinary in hilarious serious caricature. Pressburger disagreed with turning the character thus, but it's a great success - you'll never forget his plater of spaghetti, perhaps the best scene in the film. In brief, this is a surprisingly sparkling film of suspense and intelligence to discover and enjoy and with great delight never to part with.

Dutchman Van Leyden (Richardson) knows his shipyard will be used by the Germans whether he like it or not, so chooses to play a dangerous double game, ostensibly playing along with the Germans -earning the ire of his countrymen who think he is a Quisling- whilst anonymously organising acts of sabotage under the name 'Piet Hein' -a historic Dutch naval hero.

Powell and Pressburger's film was made as war propaganda and it shows; however it is both a good film in its own right and it portrays the Germans in a less bad light than was originally intended.

The script is credited to Sewell and Wellesley, but the first draft was written by Emeric Pressburger, who had been forced out of Germany by the Nazis and had first hand experience of what they were like. He originally wrote it not only with threats of Nazi reprisals, but reprisals on civilians made real. He refused to have his name put to the script once these had been edited out by Sewell.

The story is inspired by real events; Dutch dockyard workers did hijack a Nazi submarine during WWII. Much of the film was shot at Denham studios, with dockyard scenes in Dundee and some street scenes in King's Lynn. Oddly enough parts of King's Lynn were built with Dutch-made bricks and tiles (they were brought back as ballast by ships exporting wool from East Anglia) so the resemblance to Dutch streets is more than coincidental.

It would have been easy to make every part in this film a mere caricature (as many are) but Richardson's role is much more nuanced than that. Nothing of course could do justice to the many selfless acts carried out by partisans during WWII but this does more than make a token gesture in that direction.

Overall this probably isn't one of P&P's best films but that certainly doesn't make it a bad film in absolute terms; it is a lofty canon. For what it was and when it was made it gets eight out of ten from me.

"The Silver Fleet" is a reference to a fleet of Dutch ships that managed to score a huge victory over the Spanish back in 1628. Not only was this title used because the film was about the Dutch resistance to the Nazis, but because the anonymous leader of the resistance at the shipyards called himself Pieter Heyn--the man who commanded this Dutch fleet in the 17th century.

The film begins with the capitulation of the Dutch when they were invaded by the Germans in 1940. At that time, the head of a local Dutch shipyard, Jaap van Leyden (Ralph Richardson), was asked by the Nazis to re-open the yard and begin building ships for the Axis. Van Leyden realizes he really has no choice--the Nazis WILL begin building ships there. So, he agrees to run the shipyard for the Nazis and is outwardly a real Hitler-lover. However, his real plan is to use his position to vandalize the ships. But, because EVERYONE (including his own family) believes he's a collaborator, his life is very difficult. What acts of sabotage will this 'Pieter Heyn' perpetrate? See the film.

I like the quiet nature of this movie. It is very patriotic but only at the end did it go overboard to sentimentality and ultra-patriotism. Up until then, it was a solid thriller and seemed very realistic. The end was good but his letter and the things leading up to it went on a bit too long--though this was the style during WWII--to make everything obvious and rousing. Had the ending been a bit more subdued, I think it would have aged a bit better. Still, Richardson and the rest were wonderful and the film kept my interest from start to finish.

During World War II, Holland is occupied by the Nazi's and the populace splits between those who accept, those who actively resist and those who actively assist - called `quizlings'. One such quizling is naval engineer Jaap van Leyden, who the Nazis use to help build U-Boats. However the efforts of the Germany navy are hampered by the underground resistance, led by the mysterious and unseen Piet Hein.

This film suggests a mystery but, if you haven't guessed the identity of the mysterious Piet Hein within 2 minutes of the film starting then you sir, are a monkey undeserving of a banana! However, given that the film then reveals the identity past the very obvious clues, then this isn't too much of a problem. What the film then becomes is quite a good tale of heroism in the face of the Germans, and of sacrifice and personal strength.

While it is a difficult film with no very easy heroism to get behind - van Leyden is a different character for a piece of propaganda, taking the difficult line of being a double. While the film is a slow starter it does get to quite a heroic level towards the end and makes it's point without fireworks or excessive drum beating. In fact the climax is one of quiet strength rather than action - it suits the film and is quite served considering the films of the time.

Richardson does very well with his role. He is a little dry at the start but once his character becomes clearer then he gets better. I had just watched Shine when I watched this film and it was a surprise to find myself watching a Googie Withers double bill! She is good too, although I would have liked to see her struggle more obviously when doors were closed. The support cast of Germans are good - not too nasty to be caricatures but not likeable enough for us to feel pity for what had to be done. The cast of Dutch (or English rather!) are all OK but none really stand out.

Overall this is quite a low key and obvious film but it no less enjoyable for it. For a propaganda movie made in wartime it is surprisingly restrained and measured and has a quite touching climax of stiff upper lip-ness! Not quite as rousing as many of it's genre but different enough to be worth seeing.

Silver Fleet made in 1943 is a great view.

Set in Holland in a small shipbuilding town now controlled by the Nazis it is a tale of double intrigue and heroism that is surprisingly watchable. The tale of the shipyard owner (Ralph Richardson) who is friendly to the Nazis by day and a hero of another mettle by night is nicely done. What makes this work is the human aspects are not swept to one side but are tackled too.

Ralph Richardson may never had the matinée idol looks of an Oliver but he makes a very good and quite unassuming impact here, there is both suspense, adventure, and wry humour - this film is memorable and the courage is more than propaganda. Richardson always did sneak up on you and here he does so well.

All in heartily recommended.