Gone are Gable, Flynn, Power and Garfield. In is James Caan, a few years before breaking through as Sonny Corleone, and basically playing the same type of role that all those actors played through World War II and beyond. He's a rather embittered submarine commander, having survived a horrible situation at sea with the Germans and with only a few surviving men returning. But extenuating circumstances have him promoted to captain of a fleet of submarines, and tougher than ever, often overworking the men to the point of exhaustion.
He's aware that he's despised, but he's secretly determined never to lose that many men to the enemy ever again, and when the Germans parachute in to Scotland, it becomes a battle of survival in the determination to survive this time around. The three small submarines he's commanding are given the goal of sinking a German battleship, and after rigorous training, the men are more than ready thanks to the severe training.
Yes, this is a film that goes down much familiar territory, but thanks to better technology and location photography, it's quite enjoyable to watch even if it's hardly different as far as story and characterization are concerned. This is more for students of War films than anybody else, although fans of Caan will be intrigued by seeing him in an early lead role. There's one brief appearance of a female character, and it's not a romantic role, so there's no unnecessary distractions outside of the mission.
He's aware that he's despised, but he's secretly determined never to lose that many men to the enemy ever again, and when the Germans parachute in to Scotland, it becomes a battle of survival in the determination to survive this time around. The three small submarines he's commanding are given the goal of sinking a German battleship, and after rigorous training, the men are more than ready thanks to the severe training.
Yes, this is a film that goes down much familiar territory, but thanks to better technology and location photography, it's quite enjoyable to watch even if it's hardly different as far as story and characterization are concerned. This is more for students of War films than anybody else, although fans of Caan will be intrigued by seeing him in an early lead role. There's one brief appearance of a female character, and it's not a romantic role, so there's no unnecessary distractions outside of the mission.