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The Bedford Incident

  • 1965
  • Approved
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
Martin Balsam, Sidney Poitier, Richard Widmark, Wally Cox, James MacArthur, and Eric Portman in The Bedford Incident (1965)
Official Trailer
Play trailer3:14
1 Video
32 Photos
TragedyDramaThriller

An American destroyer Captain is determined to confront a Soviet submarine caught violating territorial waters. Perhaps too determined.An American destroyer Captain is determined to confront a Soviet submarine caught violating territorial waters. Perhaps too determined.An American destroyer Captain is determined to confront a Soviet submarine caught violating territorial waters. Perhaps too determined.

  • Director
    • James B. Harris
  • Writers
    • Mark Rascovich
    • James Poe
  • Stars
    • Richard Widmark
    • Sidney Poitier
    • James MacArthur
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    6.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James B. Harris
    • Writers
      • Mark Rascovich
      • James Poe
    • Stars
      • Richard Widmark
      • Sidney Poitier
      • James MacArthur
    • 82User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    The Bedford Incident
    Trailer 3:14
    The Bedford Incident

    Photos32

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    Top cast32

    Edit
    Richard Widmark
    Richard Widmark
    • Capt. Eric Finlander U.S.N.
    Sidney Poitier
    Sidney Poitier
    • Ben Munceford
    James MacArthur
    James MacArthur
    • Ens. Ralston
    • (as James Macarthur)
    Martin Balsam
    Martin Balsam
    • Lt. Cmdr. Chester Potter M.D., U.S.N.
    Wally Cox
    Wally Cox
    • Seaman Merlin Queffle
    Eric Portman
    Eric Portman
    • Commodore Wolfgang Schrepke - Deutsche Marine
    Michael Kane
    Michael Kane
    • Cmdr. Allison - Executive Officer, Bridge
    Colin Maitland
    Colin Maitland
    • Seaman Jones - Bridge
    Paul Tamarin
    • Seaman 2nd Class - Bridge
    Frank Lieberman
    • Seaman 1st Class - Bridge
    James Caffrey
    James Caffrey
    • Seaman 1st Class - Bridge
    Burnell Tucker
    Burnell Tucker
    • Seaman 1st Class - Bridge
    Mike Lennox
    • Lt. Krindlemeyer U.S.N. - Bridge
    • (as Michael Graham)
    Bill Edwards
    Bill Edwards
    • Lieutenant Hazelwood U.S.N. - Bridge
    Stephen Schreiber
    Stephen Schreiber
    • Seaman 2nd Class - Bridge
    • (as Stephen Von Schreiber)
    Ronald Rubin
    • Seaman 1st Class - Bridge
    Eugene Leonard
    • Seaman 2nd Class - Bridge
    Gary Cockrell
    Gary Cockrell
    • Lieutenant Bascombe U.S.N. - C.I.C.
    • Director
      • James B. Harris
    • Writers
      • Mark Rascovich
      • James Poe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although by this point Sidney Poitier had been making films for 15 years, this was the first film he made in which his race was neither mentioned nor relevant.
    • Goofs
      While at General Quarters (battle stations), some officers of the USS Bedford are shown wearing dress blue uniforms. In the mid-1960s, both officers and chiefs wore khaki uniforms while at sea.
    • Quotes

      [after Finlander orders an anti-submarine rocket armed]

      Commodore Schrepke: This is insane!

      Captain Finlander: Now don't worry, Commodore. The Bedford'll never fire first. But if he fires one, I'll fire one.

      Ensign Ralston: [launching the rocket] Fire One!

    • Alternate versions
      Reportedly, there are two versions with different endings. One version ends with a missile being fired and a torpedo being released from the sub seconds before. In another version the sub is destroyed, and later that evening the German commodore is found aiming a .45 at the nose cone of a live missile. The captain asks why, the commodore gives some reply and pulls the trigger. Mr. Munceford is blown over the side, but survives.
    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Cold War Movies (2014)

    User reviews82

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Authentic, tense cold war drama

    Having served aboard this very class of ship during the late 60's and early 70's, I can attest that the events, from a technical standpoint, are frighteningly real. The Queeg-like personality of the Captain is a bit of a stretch, but the events in the movie come right out of the battle plans of the Navy (at the time).

    The tension of the situation is palpable. Even at the time, the outcome was in doubt, but the outcome was believable. It still is.
    • dweigle
    • Feb 9, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ15

    • How long is The Bedford Incident?Powered by Alexa
    • Is the Bedford a real ship?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 12, 1965 (Japan)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Zwischenfall im Atlantik
    • Filming locations
      • Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Bedford Productions Ltd.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Martin Balsam, Sidney Poitier, Richard Widmark, Wally Cox, James MacArthur, and Eric Portman in The Bedford Incident (1965)
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