Producer John Brabourne and director Lewis Gilbert combined to bring two excellent naval films to the screen, this one, based on C. S. Forester's 'Last Nine Days of the Bismarck' and Frank Tilsley's 'HMS Defiant'. Although the casts differed the same talent behind the camera worked on both productions, notably cinematographer Christopher Challis, composer Clifton Parker, editor Peter Hunt and special effects experts Howard Lydaker and Skeets Kelly.
Lydaker's superb miniatures were used in conjunction with war footage and staged scenes between real ships which were made available by the producer's father-in-law Lord Mountbatten with notably HMS Victorious standing in for the Ark Royal. Although shot in the confounded Cinemascope format the intimacy has not been jeopardised and Gilbert has wisely opted for black-and-white.
The real Director of Operations Sir Ralph Edwards, is not depicted here and is replaced by the fictional Captain Shephard, beautifully played by Kenneth More who coincidentally had served as an officer on HMS Victorious whilst the compassionate character played by classy Dana Wynter, the thinking man's crumpet, serves to broaden the film's appeal. They are supported by a first rate cast of dependable character actors, the like of whom we shall never see again, who bring a quiet authority to whichever film in which they appear notably Laurence Naismith, Michael Goodliffe, Geoffrey Keen and Michael Hordern. There is also a host of familiar faces in smaller roles, many of whom were to go on to greater things. The most fascinating and deeply poignant piece of casting is that of Esmond Knight as the Captain of the Prince of Wales. This must surely have been an emotionally challenging role for Mr. Knight who had lost one eye and been practically blinded in the other whilst serving as a gunnery officer in that ship's engagement with the Bismarck. One salutes his courage. Although Karel Stepanek is obliged for dramatic purposes to portray Admiral Luetjens as a rabid Nazi the real Luetjens was in fact quite the opposite, not only declining to give the Nazi salute but none too confident of Bismarck's chances of success. It was not he but Captain Lindemann who gave the order to fire on the ill-fated HMS Hood. He is played by Carl Moehner and voiced by the King of the Dubbers, Robert Rietty. Norman Shelley does his renowned Churchill impression whilst verisimilitude, especially for American viewers, is provided by inimitable broadcaster Edmund R. Murrow.
The final minutes of the Bismarck are powerfully realised and bring home in no uncertain terms the unutterable grimness of naval warfare whilst the special effects throughout are especially impressive for the time the film was made.
Quintessentially English war films were hardly likely to appeal to American audiences but this one proved a great success, due in no small measure to the appearance of Mr. Murrow but largely one suspects to the promotional use of the record 'Sink the Bismarck' sung by Johnny Horton. Whatever one's views on the quality of this song it certainly served it's purpose in getting bums on seats which is, after all, what the commercial enterprise of film-making is all about.
Lydaker's superb miniatures were used in conjunction with war footage and staged scenes between real ships which were made available by the producer's father-in-law Lord Mountbatten with notably HMS Victorious standing in for the Ark Royal. Although shot in the confounded Cinemascope format the intimacy has not been jeopardised and Gilbert has wisely opted for black-and-white.
The real Director of Operations Sir Ralph Edwards, is not depicted here and is replaced by the fictional Captain Shephard, beautifully played by Kenneth More who coincidentally had served as an officer on HMS Victorious whilst the compassionate character played by classy Dana Wynter, the thinking man's crumpet, serves to broaden the film's appeal. They are supported by a first rate cast of dependable character actors, the like of whom we shall never see again, who bring a quiet authority to whichever film in which they appear notably Laurence Naismith, Michael Goodliffe, Geoffrey Keen and Michael Hordern. There is also a host of familiar faces in smaller roles, many of whom were to go on to greater things. The most fascinating and deeply poignant piece of casting is that of Esmond Knight as the Captain of the Prince of Wales. This must surely have been an emotionally challenging role for Mr. Knight who had lost one eye and been practically blinded in the other whilst serving as a gunnery officer in that ship's engagement with the Bismarck. One salutes his courage. Although Karel Stepanek is obliged for dramatic purposes to portray Admiral Luetjens as a rabid Nazi the real Luetjens was in fact quite the opposite, not only declining to give the Nazi salute but none too confident of Bismarck's chances of success. It was not he but Captain Lindemann who gave the order to fire on the ill-fated HMS Hood. He is played by Carl Moehner and voiced by the King of the Dubbers, Robert Rietty. Norman Shelley does his renowned Churchill impression whilst verisimilitude, especially for American viewers, is provided by inimitable broadcaster Edmund R. Murrow.
The final minutes of the Bismarck are powerfully realised and bring home in no uncertain terms the unutterable grimness of naval warfare whilst the special effects throughout are especially impressive for the time the film was made.
Quintessentially English war films were hardly likely to appeal to American audiences but this one proved a great success, due in no small measure to the appearance of Mr. Murrow but largely one suspects to the promotional use of the record 'Sink the Bismarck' sung by Johnny Horton. Whatever one's views on the quality of this song it certainly served it's purpose in getting bums on seats which is, after all, what the commercial enterprise of film-making is all about.