One of Dick Powell’s most popular movies as director is also a classic in the genre of submarine movies; set during World War II, the story pits two captains against each other, an American (Robert Mitchum) on a destroyer and a German (Curd Jürgens) on a submarine. Tension builds quickly as the two men try to outsmart each other; both perspectives are well covered and an effort has been made to portray the Germans as very disdainful of the Nazi leadership back home. The militaristic blood-thirst of the novel has been replaced with a degree of mutual respect between the captains. Thrilling, with spectacular effects, and a good performance by Jürgens.
1957-U.S. 98 min. Color. Widescreen. Produced and directed by Dick Powell. Screenplay: Wendell Mayes. Novel: D.A. Rayner. Visual Effects: Walter Rossi. Cast: Robert Mitchum (Captain Murrell), Curd Jürgens (Captain von Stolberg), Theodore Bikel (“Heinie” Schwaffer), Doug McClure, Russell Collins, David Hedison.
Oscar: Best Special Effects.
Last word: “This was an important picture for me because it was the first film after the war in which a German officer was not interpreted as a freak.” (Jürgens, The New York Times)
