Released - August, 1953 

Directed By - Charles Frend

Starring – Jack Hawkins (Ericson), Donald Sinden (Lockhart), John Stratton (Ferraby), Denholm Elliott (Morell), John Warner (Baker), Stanley Baker (Bennett), Virginia McKenna (Julie Hallam).

Description – Based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Monsarrat, this is an impressively accurate account of the British naval officers and seamen who served on escort ships during World War II.

After completing service in the British Merchant Navy, Lt. Commander George Ericson is called upon by the Royal Navy and given command of the HMS Compass Rose intended for convoy escort duties.

Led by mostly inexperienced and newly-commissioned officers the first threat they face is bad weather. Initially, German submarines lacked the ability to strike far into the Atlantic, but after the fall of French ports this all changes. With the advantage of new ports to strike from, the German U-boats can now reach convoys anywhere in the Atlantic.

Months of dangerous crossings of the Atlantic have taken its toll on the crew of the Compass Rose as has the emotional strain of having lost so many convoy ships along with their crew to the relentless German attacks.

Now, the seemingly inevitible happens; the Compass Rose is torpedoed. Most of the crew are lost. Among the survivors are Commander Ericson and First Lt. Lockhart. With the battle for the Atlantic still raging, the Commander and First Lieutenant are given a new ship to command and the vital, but hazardous escort duties must continue.

The Cruel Sea is a gripping adventure filmed in the style of a semi-documentary.

NOTABLE: The Cruel Sea received an Oscar nomination for Best Writing, Screenplay.

The film remains true to the novel which were based on the author’s personal experience serving as an escort vessel officer during the war. However, some of Nicholas Monsarrant’s grimmist images were ommitted from the film. 

Buy Here The Cruel Sea

British War Collection (The Cruel Sea/The Ship That Died of Shame/Went the Day Well?/The Dam Busters/The Colditz Story)

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Released - July, 1953 

Directed By - Billy Wilder

Starring- William Holden (Sgt. J.J. Sefton), Don Taylor (Lt. James Dunbar), Otto Preminger (Col von Scherbach), Robert Strauss (Animal), Harvey Lembeck (Harry Shapiro), Richard Erdman (Sgt. ‘Hoffy’ Hoffman), Peter Graves (Price), Neville Brand (Duke).

Description- Stalag 17, a German POW camp seems to have a Nazi spy in Barracks Four. Two prisoners have taken a chance on escape only to be killed too easily. It looks like the German’s were aware of the escape attempt.

The shadow of suspicion is beginning to fall on barracks black-marketeer Sgt. J.J. Sefton. Somewhat antisocial, Sefton openly bargains with the enemy to obtain prison luxuries for himself, organizes mouse races and other shady, but profitable enterprises.

But, worst of all, he fraternizes with the enemy and has made bets with other inmates that the escape attempt would prove unsuccessful. Then there’s the confiscation of a radio that was used to secretly get war news for the prisoners.

Now there is the apparent reward; a day in the women’s barracks has been given to Sefton. And if that is not enough, there is a new prisoner, Lt. James Dunbar who has blown up a German ammunition train while being transported to Stalag 17.

Sefton is believed to have told the German’s how Dunbar was able to blow up the train and is accused of being a spy and beaten by his fellow prisoners.

Determined to prove his innocense, Sgt. Sefton sets out to find learn who the real spy is and to help Lt. Dunbar escape from the Nazi SS who now want to interrogate him.

NOTABLE:Stalag 17 won one Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role (William Holden), and received nominations for Best Director (Billy Wilder), and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Strauss).

The story is based on the Broadway play written by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski who were both prisoners of war in Stalag 17B in Austria.

Actor William Holden was hesitent to accept the role believing the character to be too selfish and cynical. However, being under contract to Paramount, he was forced to do it.

Stalag 17 along with The Bridge on the River Kwai and The Great Escape are considered to be three of the best World War II prisoner-of-war movies.

Personal Note: While the description sure doesn’t sound like it, this film has some very funny moments. It is an excellent balance between suspense and comedy. 

Buy Here Stalag 17 (Special Collector’s Edition)

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Released - May, 1953 

Directed By - Robert Wise

Starring – Richard Burton (Capt. ‘Tammy’ MacRoberts), James Mason (Field Marshal Erwin von Rommel), Robert Newton (Tom Bartlett).

Description – Africa, 1941, German Field Marshall Erwin von Rommel and his Afrika Korps have driven the British Army across Africa toward the Suez Canal. Only one thing may stand in the way of his success; the port city of Tobruk. Rommel must control Tobruk in order to insure his supply lines.

Defending the port will be the 9th Australian Division under the command of English Capt. ‘Tammy’ MacRoberts. The tension is immediate as the inexperienced Australian troops must deal with the no no-nsense commander. Their mission is to hold the port for two months when they will be relieved.

With the help of a desert sandstorm the group is able to repel the first attack by the Germans; however, the situation is desperate. With the German Army moving up a large amount of artillery another attack is imminent. One they may not be able to defend.

MacRoberts decides to use some abandoned trucks to help blow up the artillery ammunition dump. His plan works, but he is captured and brought to Rommel.

While transporting MacRoberts and the other prisoners the Germans are attacked by British fighter aircraft. This allows MacRoberts and one of his men to escape. They barely get across the desert and back to their men.

The Austrailian’s have now been holding Tobruk, not for two months, but for eight. Word finally comes that help is on the way, but not before the embattled group is given another seemingly impossible mission.

NOTABLE: The Desert Rats received one Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay.

In 1951, James Mason also portrayed Field Marshal Rommel in the film The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel. 

The Desert Rats

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Released – December, 1951 

Directed By - Samuel Fuller

Starring – Richard Basehart (Cpl. Denno), Gene Evans (Sgt. Rock), Michael O’Shea (Sgt. Lonergan), Richard Hylton (Medic John Wheeler), Skip Homeier (Whitey).

Description – Exciting Korean War drama about a single platoon assigned to defend a hill in enemy territory as the rest of their regiment retreats to safety in an effort to regroup.

A typically tough and realistic Sam Fuller production that offers insight into the psychological aspects of those forced to lead what may be a doomed mission. A great deal of authenticity is added to the film through the use of U.S. Army Medal of Honor winner Raymond Harvey as technical advisor.

NOTABLE: Although uncredited, this was the first feature film appearance of James Dean.

Fixed Bayonets

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Released - December, 1951 

Directed By - Anatole Litvak

Starring – Richard Basehart (Lt. Dick Rennick), Gary Merrill (Col. Devlin), Oskar Werner (Cpl. Karl “Happy” Maurer), Hildegard Knef (Hildegard “Hilde” Neff).

Description – A terriffic World War II espionage story about the American Army’s usage of potentially unreliable German prisioners of war to help gather military intelligence near the end of the war.

Two of these German P.O.W.’s are sent to obtain crucial information regarding the remaining Germain strongholds and the units defending them. ‘Tiger,’ a former thief who’s loyalty is with whichever side appears to be winning, and ‘Happy,’ a young German idealist who volunteers for the mission after witnessing the killing of his friend by fellow prisoners.

In the world of military espionage, loyalty and sacrifice go hand-in-hand.

NOTABLE: This motion picture was nominated for two Academy Awards; Best Picture, and Best Film Editing.

The movie was shot in post-war Germany lending to the authentic look and feel of the film.

Decision Before Dawn

Heroes of War Collection – Frontline Combat (Halls of Montezuma, Decision Before Dawn, D-Day the Sixth of June, Guadalcanal Diary)

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