The Cruel Sea

The Cruel Sea

126 mins | Drama, War, History | Feb. 24, 1953

At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer

The Cruel Sea

126 mins | Drama, War, History | Feb. 24, 1953

The Cruel Sea
At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer
IMDb rating 7.4
Producers Ealing Studios, Michael Balcon Productions
Original title The Cruel Sea
Directors Jean Graham, Norman Priggen, Charles Frend
Writers Nicholas Monsarrat, Eric Ambler

Cast

Jack Hawkins

as Ericson

Donald Sinden

as Lockhart

Denholm Elliott

as Morell

John Stratton

as Ferraby

Stanley Baker

as Bennett

Liam Redmond

as Watts

Meredith Edwards

as Yeoman Wells

Bruce Seton

as Tallow

John Warner

as Baker

Barry Letts

as Raikes

Gerard Heinz

as Polish Captain

Fred Griffiths

as Gracey

Glyn Houston

as Phillips

Virginia McKenna

as Julie Hallam

Megs Jenkins

as Tallow's Sister

June Thorburn

as Doris Ferraby

Moira Lister

as Elaine Morell

Alec McCowen

as Tonbridge

Leo Phillips

as Wainwright

Dafydd Havard

as Signalman Rose

Laurence Hardy

as Sellars

Sam Kydd

as Carslake

John Singer

as Gray

Barry Steele

as Broughton

Gerik Schjelderup

as Norwegian Captain

Gaston Richer

as French Captain

Andrew Cruickshank

as Scott Brown

Kenn Kennedy

as Allingham

Harold Goodwin

as ASDIC Operator

George Curzon

as Admiral at Party

Anthony Snell

as R.N. Lieutenant

Ronald Simpson

as R.N. Captain

Don Sharp

as Lieutenant-Commander

Herbert C. Walton

as The Waiter

Jack Howard

as A Survivor

Russell Waters

as A.R.P. Warden

Harold Jamieson

as A.R.P. Warden

Warwick Ashton

as Petty Officer Instructor

Walter Fitzgerald

as Warden (uncredited)

Paddy Joyce

as Sonar Operator (uncredited)

Richard Leech

as Sailor (uncredited)

Jim O'Brady

as Sailor in Water

Alan Webb

as Admiral Murray-Forbes (uncredited)