The Cruel Sea (1953)

Overview · Where to watch · Cast & crew · Reviews

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.

• Released: 1953-02-24
• Genres: Drama, History, War
• Runtime: 2h 6m
• Status: Released
• TMDB rating: 6.9/10 from 85 votes

Directed by Charles Frend.

Top 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

Full cast & crew

Where to watch The Cruel Sea

• United States: stream on BFI Player Amazon Channel; watch free on Kanopy; rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home; buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
• United Kingdom: stream on Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel; rent on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, BFI Player, YouTube; buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
• Canada: rent on Apple TV Store; buy on Apple TV Store
• Australia: rent on JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube; buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube

Movies like The Cruel Sea

If you enjoyed The Cruel Sea, these movies have a similar feel:

• Greyhound (2020)
• The Battle of the River Plate (1956)
• In Which We Serve (1942)
• Sink the Bismarck! (1960)
• Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
• Britannic (2000)
• The Last Rifleman (2023)
• Destination Tokyo (1943)
• K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
• The Sea Chase (1955)
• H.M.S. Defiant (1962)

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