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The Cruel Sea poster

The Cruel Sea

70
Audience
NR 1953 · 2h 6m
Drama, History, War
Starring Jack Hawkins · Donald Sinden · Denholm Elliott
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The Cruel Sea poster
Apple TV Store Rent on Apple TV Store
Movie Trailers
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70
Audience
Today
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About

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.

Theatrical
Feb 24, 1953
DVD / Blu-ray
Oct 17, 2006
Director
Charles Frend
Writer
Eric Ambler
Producer
Leslie Norman
Studio
Ealing Studios, Michael Balcon Productions
Keywords
submarine sea atlantic ocean world war ii naval officer commander royal navy black and white docudrama sinking ship naval warfare battle of the atlantic
The Cruel Sea on the Web

Where to Watch

Region
Prices last updated October 6, 2026. Pricing and availability may vary by region.
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Cast

Full credits →
J
Jack Hawkins
Ericson
D
Donald Sinden
Lockhart
D
Denholm Elliott
Morell
J
John Stratton
Ferraby
S
Stanley Baker
Bennett
L
Liam Redmond
Watts
M
Meredith Edwards
Yeoman Wells
B
Bruce Seton
Tallow
J
John Warner
Baker
B
Barry Letts
Raikes
G
Gerard Heinz
Polish Captain
F
Fred Griffiths
Gracey
G
Glyn Houston
Phillips
V
Virginia McKenna
Julie Hallam
M
Megs Jenkins
Tallow's Sister
J
June Thorburn
Doris Ferraby
M
Moira Lister
Elaine Morell
A
Alec McCowen
Tonbridge
L
Leo Phillips
Wainwright
D
Dafydd Havard
Signalman Rose

Quotes

See all →
The Personal Toll of War at Sea
Capt. Ericson For us, the Battle of the Atlantic was becoming a private war. If you were in it, you knew all about it. You knew how to keep watch on filthy nights, and how to go without sleep; and how to bury the dead and how to die without wasting anyone's time.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Cruelty of the Sea Explained
Capt. Ericson This is a story of the Battle of the Atlantic, the story of an ocean, two ships and a handful of men. The men are the heroes. The heroines are the ships. The only villain is the sea—the cruel sea—that man has made more cruel.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

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