The Cruel Sea (Digitally Restored) [UK Official DVD] (1953)

JACK HAWKINS
The Cruel Sea
UK Digitally Restored Official Dvd (1953)

Header Photo: Detail from one of the promotional posters for the film release.

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All images © Optimum Home Entertainment.

THE CRUEL SEA ~ UK DIGITALLY RESTORED OFFICIAL DVD (2011)

We are based in South London near Croydon and if preferred this item can be picked up by appointment. Just e-mail here. We are one of the few places left still accepting cheques!

Writers: Eric Ambler (screenplay), Nicholas Monsarrat (novel)
Film Release Date: 24 March 1953 (UK)
Format: PAL, Black & White, Full Screen, Mono
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Region: Region 2 (UK & Europe)
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.37:1
Number of Discs: 1
Classification: PG
Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: 12 Sept. 2011
Run Time: 121 minutes

CAST

Jack Hawkins ... Ericson
Donald Sinden ... Lockhart
John Stratton ... Ferraby
Denholm Elliott ... Morell
John Warner ... Baker
Stanley Baker ... Bennett
Bruce Seton ... Tallow
Liam Redmond ... Watts
Virginia McKenna ... Julie Hallam
Moira Lister ... Elaine Morell
June Thorburn ... Doris Ferraby
Megs Jenkins ... Tallow's sister
Meredith Edwards ... Yeoman Wells
Glyn Houston ... Phillips

Alec McCowen ... Tonbridge

Ealing Studios

MOVIE REVIEW

Ealing broke from its traditional light comedies to offer a serious, authentic reconstruction of the battle of the Atlantic, based on Nicholas Monsarrat's bestseller, Production. It emerged as a picture of dramatic intensity.

Much of the original novel's action was telescoped and quite a few major incidents were omitted. Indeed the film is basically pared down into three elements which the commentator in the movie describes when he says the heroes are the men, the heroines are the ships, and the villain is the cruel sea.

These three elements are put into focus via the activities of a corvette which puts to sea with only one experienced officer - the captain - aboard. The others are the normal wartime recruits from civilian life, including a freelance journalist, lawyer, bank clerk and second-hand car salesman. Their first operational duties land them into a storm, but subsequently they encounter enemy activity and are harassed by U-boats.

The direction by Frend is beyond reproach. Some viewers have complained at the length of the movie (2 hours) but I found it riveting throughout. The supporting cast is good (particularly Stanley Baker) but this picture really belongs to Jack Hawkins. As the captain he commands the silver screen with his made-in-Britain authority. I think that a great actor is born to play one part in his whole career and for Hawkins I think it is this one.

This is a prime example of the docudramatic style that, spurning the gung-ho heroics of Hollywood, characterised the best British war films. And I for one think it is that sytle that has meant these British films have aged far better than the American counterparts of that period.

Nominated for an Oscar in 1953 for Best Screenplay.

Produced by Leslie Norman (father of Barry)

Unmissable.

DVD EXTRAS

Interview with Sir Donald Sinden
Stills Gallery

INFO. FROM EALING FOREVER BOOK

The writer of the book the film is based on, Nicholas Monsarrat, settled for a percentage deal when agreeing to the film rights. He also insisted on a British production company. By the time of the making of the film it was estimated that four million people in Britain alone had read the book.

It was Donald Sinden's first film.

The ship which played HMS Compass was the Coreopsis. The Admirality had got rid of all its wartime corvettes, which were small escort ships that had been used to protect Atlantic convoys. This was located in Malta and had been loaned to the Greek navy and was now awiting a tow back to England and the breaker's yard.

Locations included Plymouth Sound. Also the Ealing tank was used for the first time since San Demetrio London.

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I would love to make this page different to the countless Dvd pages on Cruel Sea that are out there in the cut and paste world that is the web. You know, brief outline, thumbnail of cover and, if you're lucky, the back cover. Very little content is original and you'll find that on alot of releases. Any reviews leave out the fact that each movie has a heart and soul and touches people in different ways down the years. So if you would like to add anything on the film, whether good or bad, or trivia on the film - indeed anything like how it made you feel when you first saw it - then e-mail me here (ihuppert5@aol.com) and I'll add it within 24 hours, crediting you with just your first name.

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Condition: Used - Very Good. 2016: I've got a handful in as I want to try and sell as many of this wonderful Dvd as possible and have priced it as low as I possibly can so more people can enjoy it. The Dvds and the jewel case and pic slv are all in at least - 'used - very good' condition.

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Please bear in mind that outside Europe the chances are that this Dvd won't work as it's a Region 2 Dvd. Please check before buying that you can play Region 2 (UK & Europe) Dvds as it's a waste of time and money on return postage bearing in mind the cost of the post these days. Thanks.