This "story of a ship", the British destroyer H.M.S. Torrin, is told in flashbacks by survivors as they cling to a life raft.This "story of a ship", the British destroyer H.M.S. Torrin, is told in flashbacks by survivors as they cling to a life raft.This "story of a ship", the British destroyer H.M.S. Torrin, is told in flashbacks by survivors as they cling to a life raft.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 9 wins & 3 nominations total
- Capt. E.V. Kinross R.N. - Captain 'D'
- (as Noel Coward)
- Directors
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Inspiring and expertly-scripted jingoist-war drama capturing faithfully the spirit of the British Navy during WWII . A splendid picture with an emphasis on realism that was unusual in other patriotic , flagwaver films . At the time considered to be the greatest human drama of war filmed in which Noel Coward directed and Lean watched and assisted the finished movie together . Unlike several WW2 this unforgettable picture doesn't date one bit , and remaining , nowadays , its deep sentiment and agreeable message . The first Brit movie to depict a naval war in all its grim reality , it proved the country's top moneymaker in the year its premiere . Noel Coward himself gives his best screen acting in the lead , likewise it revived the career of the young John Mills by casting him as a sympathetic and sensitive sailor . Adding other great English actors , such as : Michael Wilding , Kay Walsh , Bernard Miles, James Donald , Philip Friend, Walter Fitzgerald and as narrator : Leslie Howard . As well as film debuts of Richard Attenborough , Celia Johnson , Daniel Massey and John Mills' daughter : infant Juliet Mills .
This masterpiece motion picture was compellingly written , co-directed and scored by co-star Noel Coward who was given a special Academy Award for his outstanding production achievement and being Lean's first directing credit . Of course , In Which We Serve (1942) got a big hit in the year its release in England and all around the world . With the onset of World War II Noel Coward and David Lean redefined the spirit of the country in films such as "This Happy Breed" (1944), "In Which We Serve" (1942), Blithe Spirit (1945) and, perhaps most memorably, "Brief encounter" (1945). Rating : 7/10 . Well worth watching . Essential and indispensable seeing for British classic films enthusiasts.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAfter about three weeks of shooting, Noël Coward realized that (a) Sir David Lean knew a lot more about filmmaking than he did, and (b) he didn't care much for the long hours. So Coward effectively handed the directorial reins over to his partner at that point.
- GoofsWhen the sailors are in the water, clinging to the life raft, a German aircraft strafes them with machine gun fire. This simply did not happen, with the Germans, when dealing with the British or American adversaries, especially when it came to naval targets. In fact, sometimes Germans would rescue stranded sailors in the water.
- Quotes
Mrs. Alix Kinross: [Christmas dinner toast] Ladies and gentlemen. I'll begin by taking my husband's advice and wishing you all a very happy Christmas. I'm sure Elizabeth and June will back me up when I say I'd like to deliver, on behalf of all wretched naval wives, a word of warning to Maureen who's been unwise enough to decide to join our ranks. Dear Maureen: we all wish you every possible happiness, but I think it only fair to tell you in advance exactly what you are in for. Speaking from bitter experience I can only say that the wife of a sailor is most profoundly to be pitied. To begin with, her home life, what there is of it, hath no stability whatever. She can never really settle down. She moves through a succession of other people's houses, flats, and furnished rooms. She finds herself having to grapple with domestic problems in Bermuda, Malta, or Weymouth. We will not deal with the question of pay as that is altogether too painful. But we will deal with is the most important disillusionment of all, and that is that wherever she goes there is always in her life a permanently undefeated rival: her husband's ship. Whether it be a battleship or a sloop, a submarine or a destroyer, it holds first place in his heart. It comes before wife, home, children, everything. Some of us try to fight this and get badly mauled in the process. Others, like myself, resolve themselves to the inevitable. That is what you will have to do, my poor Maureen. That is what we all have to do if we want any peace of mind at all. Ladies and gentlemen I give you my rival. It is extraordinary that anyone could be so fond and so proud of their most implacable enemy - this ship. God bless this ship and all who sail in her.
- Crazy creditsThis film is dedicated to the Royal Navy "whereon under the good providence of God, the wealth, safety and strength of the kingdom chiefly depend".
- ConnectionsFeatured in Film Review: Richard Attenborough (1968)
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Hidalgos de los mares
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £240,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $247
- Runtime1 hour 55 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1