WWII naval cat and mouse, set in the Caribbean, between Robert Mitchum’s US Navy Destroyer Escort and Kurt Jurgens’ U-Boat.
The small scale – just two antagonists – is quite good, as it means the limits of pre-CGI film making don’t spoil things (cf w 1956s Battle of The River Plate). Indeed, part of this movies’ charm is how much procedural business features. Lovers of military/naval history ought to enjoy this. I know I did.
They sketch in a bit of the two commanders’ pasts: Mitchum was a civvy Freighter man, and Jurgens a WWI U-boat man. Curt is jaded, and Mitchum was widowed by a U-boat.
For a war movie it’s quite feel-good and upbeat. It’s certainly a fun watch. The procedural aspects lend hints of realism. But there’s a line of ‘noble warriors’ sentiment running through the movie, that – whilst making for great entertainment – feels less realistic.
The use of models vs real boats, something that, prior to CGI, could be an Achilles heel – both in terms of authenticity and looking credible (suspension of disbelief, etc.) – is handled very well. Only at the film’s denouement does the use of models become very obvious. And even then it’s well enough done to charm rather than irritate.
Indeed, the ending is an altogether fittingly exciting and well rendered climax to a very satisfying bit of WWII naval entertainment. Not a classic, perhaps. But worth watching.
*The book is actually the story of a British naval encounter with a U-boat.