Cast
Noel Coward |
Captain E. V. Kinross R.N. / Captain 'D' |
Derek Elphinstone |
No. 1 |
Michael Wilding |
Flags |
Robert Sansom |
Guns |
Philip Friend |
Torps |
John Mills |
Ordinary Seaman Blake / Shorty Blake |
Bernard Miles |
Chief Petty Officer Hardy / Walter Hardy |
Genre: Drama Run Time: 115 min
Directors: Noel Coward, David Lean
Storyline
This is the story of a British Naval ship, the HMS Torrin, from its construction to its sinking in the Mediterranean during action in World War II. The ships first and only commanding officer is the experienced Captain E.V. Kinross who trains his men not only to be loyal to him but to the country and most importantly, to themselves. They face challenges at sea and also at home. They lose some of theirs shipmates in action and some of their loved ones in the devastation that is the blitz. Throughout it all, the men of the Torrin serve valiantly and heroically.
Review
From Eye for Film
Review by Angus Wolfe Murray
Although dated, Noel Coward's patriotic war movie captures the mood of Britain in 1942. He starts off with a narrative voice intoning the message: "This is the story of a ship."
The ship is HMS Torrin and the captain none other than the man who gave the world Don't Put Your Daughter On The Stage, Mrs Worthington. Coward has to prove that he is officer material and not some theatre johnnie with a talent to amuse. He tends to be severe, even when giving the crew a morale-boosting pep talk, and his relationship with the lady wife (Celia Johnson, in her first screen role) is textbook no-touchy-no-feely. He takes his role extremely seriously and, as a result, accumulates considerable respect.
After the ship has sunk and survivors struggle in the water, hanging on to a life raft, flashbacks tell stories of their lives. Or rather, some of their lives. John Mills and Bernard Miles are the main ones. Mills is the cheeky chappie, courting a girl. Miles is comfortably married. Through these scenes of domestic life, an understanding of the danger and community spirit of a city under bombardment is well-drawn.
On the Torrin, one able seaman leaves his post during a battle, so afraid he can't speak. The captain remarks upon it later, but does not punish the man, who is played by a baby-faced young actor straight out of drama school, called Richard Attenborough.
Coward was nervous of directing, since his experience had been entirely in the theatre, and so asked John Mills if he knew of anyone who might give him a hand. Mills suggested "the best editor in the country." He was hired. His name was David Lean.
Trailer