What is The Cruel Sea?
The Cruel Sea is a 1953 drama, history, and war film directed by Charles Frend and produced by Leslie Norman at Ealing Studios. Released seven years after the end of World War II, the film follows Commander Ericson as he is assigned to the convoy escort HMS Compass Rose alongside inexperienced officers and men just out of training.
- Type
- Film
- Year
- 1953
- Status
- Released
- Runtime
- 126 minutes
- Release date
- Feb 24, 1953
- Studios
- Ealing Studios, Michael Balcon Productions
- Genres
- Drama, History, War
- Updated
Trailer
Overview
The Cruel Sea is a 1953 drama, history, and war film directed by Charles Frend and produced by Leslie Norman at Ealing Studios. Released seven years after the end of World War II, the film follows Commander Ericson as he is assigned to the convoy escort HMS Compass Rose alongside inexperienced officers and men just out of training.
The film explores the hardships of winter seas, the psychological toll of rescuing survivors from U-Boat attacks while rarely being able to strike back, and the traumatic events that forge a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer.
Should you watch it?
“Commander Ericson leads inexperienced men on convoy escort HMS Compass Rose during World War II.”
- Depicts the harsh realities of winter sea patrols during World War II.
- Showcases the growing bond between the skipper and his first officer.
- Features historical context from a production made seven years after the end of the war.
- The winter seas and traumatic events afloat and ashore make life miserable for the characters.
Watch it if you are interested in a historical World War II drama about naval convoy escorts.
The tone is dramatic and historical, portraying the misery and traumatic events of wartime convoy escort duty.
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I stream The Cruel Sea (1953)?
Streaming availability can be checked on platforms like The Movie Database.
Is The Cruel Sea worth watching?
It is a notable drama, history, and war film from Ealing Studios depicting World War II convoy escorts.
What is the runtime of the film?
The film has a runtime of two hours and six minutes.
Who directed the film?
The movie was directed by Charles Frend and produced by Leslie Norman.
Explore The Cruel Sea
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