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The Cruel Sea

  • 1953
  • Approved
  • 2h 6m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
5.7K
YOUR RATING
Jack Hawkins in The Cruel Sea (1953)
Home Video Extra (Clip) from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:17
1 Video
42 Photos
DramaWar

The World War II adventures of a British convoy escort ship and its officers.The World War II adventures of a British convoy escort ship and its officers.The World War II adventures of a British convoy escort ship and its officers.

  • Director
    • Charles Frend
  • Writers
    • Nicholas Monsarrat
    • Eric Ambler
  • Stars
    • Jack Hawkins
    • Donald Sinden
    • John Stratton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    5.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Charles Frend
    • Writers
      • Nicholas Monsarrat
      • Eric Ambler
    • Stars
      • Jack Hawkins
      • Donald Sinden
      • John Stratton
    • 84User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Cruel Sea
    Trailer 2:17
    The Cruel Sea

    Photos42

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    Top cast52

    Edit
    Jack Hawkins
    Jack Hawkins
    • Ericson
    Donald Sinden
    Donald Sinden
    • Lockhart
    John Stratton
    John Stratton
    • Ferraby
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • Morell
    John Warner
    • Baker
    Stanley Baker
    Stanley Baker
    • Bennett
    Bruce Seton
    Bruce Seton
    • Tallow
    Liam Redmond
    Liam Redmond
    • Watts
    Virginia McKenna
    Virginia McKenna
    • Julie Hallam
    Moira Lister
    Moira Lister
    • Elaine Morell
    June Thorburn
    June Thorburn
    • Doris Ferraby
    Megs Jenkins
    Megs Jenkins
    • Tallow's Sister
    Meredith Edwards
    Meredith Edwards
    • Yeoman Wells
    Glyn Houston
    Glyn Houston
    • Phillips
    Alec McCowen
    Alec McCowen
    • Tonbridge
    Leo Phillips
    • Wainwright
    Dafydd Havard
    Dafydd Havard
    • Signalman Rose
    Fred Griffiths
    • Gracey
    • Director
      • Charles Frend
    • Writers
      • Nicholas Monsarrat
      • Eric Ambler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jack Hawkins wrote in his 1973 autobiography "Anything for a Quiet Life" regarding this film, "All of us in the film were sure that we were making something quite unusual, and a long way removed from the Errol Flynn-taking-Burma-single-handed syndrome. This was the period of some very indifferent American war movies, whereas 'The Cruel Sea' contained no false heroics. That is why we all felt that we were making a genuine example of the way in which a group of men went to war."
    • Goofs
      Some depth charges are clearly labelled "INERT FILLED."
    • Quotes

      Watts: [repairing the engine] Come to see the fun, sir? It won't be long now.

      Morell: Fine, chief, but the captain's a little worried about the noise. Could you do anything to... tone it down a bit?

      Watts: Pretty well finished now, sir. We're just flabbin' up the nuts. Could you hear the hammerin' up top?

      Morell: Hear it? There were U-boats popping up from miles around complaining about the racket.

    • Connections
      Featured in Haie und kleine Fische (1957)
    • Soundtracks
      The Chestnut Tree
      or "The Spreading Chestnut Tree" (uncredited)
      Author unknown, perhaps traditional song
      Sung by the sailors in the raft to keep awake

    User reviews84

    Featured review
    8/10

    Gritty war movie , minus the usual propaganda.

    Fine English war movie of life aboard a convoy escort ship during WWII. It's original B&W format only adds to the overall feel of the movie. Great no-nonsense performances from the cast. The movie is notable in that it is almost free of propaganda and instead concentrates on showing the crews life on board in a realistic way.Jack Hawkins turns in a fine performance.
    • DB-55
    • Sep 28, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is The Cruel Sea?Powered by Alexa
    • What was the Battle of the Atlantic?
    • What were the tactics?
    • How did the Allies prevail?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 19, 1953 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Okrutno more
    • Filming locations
      • Her Majesty's Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK(Doubled for Liverpool)
    • Production companies
      • Ealing Studios
      • Michael Balcon Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 6 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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