Sink the Bismarck!

Sink the Bismarck!
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
Written by Edmund H. North from a book by C.S. Forrester
1960/UK/USA
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
First viewing/YouTube

[box] Edward R. Murrow: This is London, Ed Murrow reporting. This island, which is no stranger to bad tiding, received news today that HMS Hood largest warship in the British fleet and pride of the British navy, has been sunk by the German battleship Bismarck. From the Hood’s compliment of 1500 men, there were three survivors.[/box]

This WWII sea battle epic could have been so much more compelling than it was.

This true story was changed by inserting the fictional character of Captain Shepard (Kenneth More) in place of the actual line officer in charge of the effort to sink the Bismark. The Bismarck was the pride of Germany’s fleet.  Her builders and officers believed her to be unsinkable.  As the movie begins, she is seen to be preparing to break out into the North Atlantic to wreak havoc on British supply lines.

The story details the long and perilous effort to put the Bismarck out of commission. Between battles, we follow the saga of Captain Shepard, who has become cold and all-business since the death of his wife in the Blitz.  Aide Anne Davis (Dana Wynter) offers him unwanted sympathy.  But the captain is forced to care again when his RAF pilot son in dragged into the battle.

The real drama in this movie comes from the troubles of Captain Shepard whereas the actual naval campaign should have been more than enough excitement for one film. We get a lot of special effects but no real tension.  The film was OK but never really grabbed me.

Trailer