Roy Ward Baker (1916–2010)

This is a quiet film – a quiet title, and only the minimum of action. It is set after WW2, so no enemy to ramp up the tension. Although a submarine disaster film, there are none of the usual scenes of high pressure seawater bursting through valves while greasy sailors battle to seal them off. For this is primarily a psychological drama, about how people react under pressure. The upper lips are certainly stiff, but there is plenty of talk. This was made on a tight budget – very obviously – but perhaps all the better for it.
One admirable trait of the film is its lack of sentimentality. Although the first part has women to establish domestic milieux, there is no milking of that later in the film. And the ending is unblinking and clear. It is unfortunate that for dramatic purposes the officers are seen to be guilty of a serious moral lapse. But overall, well worth seeing.… (meer)