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The Cruel Sea

The Cruel Sea

Drama · History · War · 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.

Movie details

The Cruel Sea

1953 Drama · History · War 2h 6m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Cruel Sea?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Charles Frend

Written by

Eric Ambler

Jack Hawkins

Jack Hawkins

Ericson

Donald Sinden

Donald Sinden

Lockhart

Denholm Elliott

Denholm Elliott

Morell

John Stratton

John Stratton

Ferraby

Stanley Baker

Stanley Baker

Bennett

Liam Redmond

Liam Redmond

Watts

Meredith Edwards

Meredith Edwards

Yeoman Wells

Court is in session

Put The Cruel Sea on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.