Sous 10 drapeaux

I agree with most of the positive reviews here. This is an interesting and entertaining film.

On the negative side, Charles Laughton seemed to be channeling Winston Churchill. This is somewhat confusing as Churchill was head of the admiralty at one time.

I have no objections whatsoever to seeing the wondrous Mylene D., but were shorts THAT short in the 1940s??? It seems very obvious that she was added to the movie as 'sex appeal' (either that, or she was the producer's girl friend).

And did they have invisible-to-the-naked eye rays as protective devices for valuable items back then? I've never seen a film from that time period with that particular gimmick. Under Ten Flags was actually made in 1960, but use of the rays for that purpose seems to be a more modern invention (than the film's time setting.) These are mere quibbles. See it.

I don't see this film in as nearly a bad light as some of the other commentator's here. There is good performances from Van Heflin and Laughton is always a joy to watch. There are certainly some obvious Italian extras thrown into this movie but whats bad about that? I for one can give the thumbs up for the female actors. Great bodies on them even though its in black and white! Stock footage is used in abundance for the sinking of the ships but the actual guns firing and being uncovered on the German vessel looks like the real deal to me. So sure, its not a masterpiece but give it a chance and I am sure you will find it a time passer.

Under Ten Flags is a film about the destruction of the German surface raider Atlantis during the years of World War II before American entry. Based on a true story the captain is played by Van Heflin who is a master at camouflaging his ship as an ordinary merchant vessel and then springing a big surprise on Allied commerce. His ship carries at least ten flags for each occasion including the swastika rolled down when the moment is right to strike.

Heflin seems to take his cues from the famous sea raider of World War I, Count Felix Von Luckner who operated exactly that way in the previous conflict. That's not easy to do the same during this war with Germany's new masters, still Heflin has a code he lives by. He's also got at least one confirmed Nazi in his crew, John Ericson a young Aryan true believer. He can't believe that Heflin actually treats the prisoners he takes like human beings including a Jewish husband and wife who gives birth to a baby daughter on the ship. Ericson vows to report such subversive behavior to the proper authorities in Berlin.

This film is very similar to Sink The Bismarck and the guy trying to put Heflin and his raider out of business is Admiral Charles Laughton in London. It's all a matter of cracking the German code and the action also is in occupied Paris where they've got the code in the German embassy.

Laughton wants to take Heflin down but he's absolutely enthralled by Heflin's skill and daring. Beyond that Laughton's part as the British admiral is rather ill defined. Usually I enjoy watching Laughton in anything and I like him here as well, but he's not given all that much to work with and the film clearly belongs to Heflin.

Who delivers a very good performance as a civilized man trying to stay civilized in barbaric times and having barbaric people run his country. Under Ten Flags for some reason seems to have disappeared and I count myself lucky to have gotten a copy of the film to review it. I think fans of war films will consider themselves lucky to see Under Ten Flags.

A thoroughly enjoyable movie with real ships and lots of original wartime footage, which make it a refreshing change from some of the slick but unconvincing modern offerings. More than a few of the usual, expected stereotypes are depicted, but the plot chunters along at a cracking pace, interspersing furious naval action with some well-observed 'stiff upper lip' screenplay, some nerve-wracking espionage work and any number of amusing little character studies.

Honour, death, determination, courage, childbirth, duplicity, fear and humour are dealt with in turn and all acted out in a thoroughly workmanlike manner. Van Heflin is superb as the captain of the German ship and the unutterably delectable Mylene Demongeot is stunning as a perky nymphette who, obviously fearing her looks would fade before the end of the film, seemed desperate to hook a guy (any guy) before the end credits! As might be expected, the entirely dependable Charles Laughton did a sterling job of playing Charles Laughton - in a Sailor Suit! Without exception the rest of the supporting cast were top notch - all the way down to the brave little kids being winched aboard ship in a cargo net!!

As it is based on true events, this movie is all the more worth watching by anyone who enjoys naval warfare stories and is heartily recommended!

An 8 out of 10 without hesitation for me....

It has been many years since I saw this film but I remember it to be interesting with a differant view of the war through the eyes of the captain of the german raider, Atlantis. He is shown to be compassionate in saving as many lives as he can from the ships that he sinks and is not at all in agreement with Hitler's policies but his country is as war and so he obeys his orders. It is a shame that this film is not available on tape or otherwise as it depicts the other side of German officers not in "lock step" with Hitler.