THE CRUEL SEA (1953) B/W 120m dir: Charles Frend

w/Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden, John Stratton, Denholm Elliott, Stanley Baker, John Warner, Bruce Seton, Liam Redmond, Virginia McKenna, Moira Lister

From The Movie Guide: "THE CRUEL SEA is the tough, often gruesome account of British corvette life on the Atlantic during WWII as seen through the tormented consciousness of Lt. Comdr. Ericson (Jack Hawkins). After losing one ship to a U-boat while protecting a convoy, Ericson's ship, Compass Rose, is itself torpedoed; Ericson and a handful of his men barely survive, adrift on a raft. Given a new command on the frigate Saltash Castle, Ericson is again at the mercy of the 'cruel sea' and must face an impossible choice in risking the lives of his men. The film is shot in documentary style, with harsh black-and-white images, and is based on the wartime exploits depicted in author Nicholas Monsarrat's novel, which was adapted by suspense writer Eric Ambler. The supporting cast appear marginally as crew members in the Royal Navy and in brief flashback and furlough sequences. A top-notch film from Britain's Ealing Studios, with Hawkins turning in an intense, fascinating performance."

For more information about Ealing Studios, consult FOREVER EALING.

THE CRUEL SEA was nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay (Ambler).