Customer Reviews

Action in the North Atlantic [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

They didn't sail powerful destroyers or fill the skies with waves of carrier-borne fighters, but the men of the US Merchant Marine nevertheless fought and won the second world war's most crucial and consistently bloody battles - the Battle of the Atlantic. This excellent film follows the travails of a merchantman bound for Russia's arctic port of Murmansk with a cargo of materials the Russians need to keep the Germans pegged on the eastern front. Through the war, American convoys sailed mass-built "Liberty Ships" through waters teeming with German planes, cruisers and U-Boats to keep both England and Russia properly equipped. While tides of war may have shifted thruought the war, allied convoys faced constant attacks by axis units until the end, relying mainly on their ability to absorb severe casualties.

This film is fiction and, produced during the war (1943) has the hallmarks of a propaganda film. But "Action" is so much more - with winning performances by Humphrey Bogart and Ray Massey, and a fine supporting crew that sounds like they may have actually sailed the dreaded "Murmansk Run". The special effects are astoundingly good for 1943 and hold up pretty well today. The Germans are perfect as skilled hunters - I still get a chill during the battle scenes when whole crews utter "torpedo - los!" - not quite dehumanized, but still fearsome. Crisp direction makes their untranslated lines the best case against sub-titles. In short, a great film.

This great sea tale staring Humphrey Bogart and Raymond Massey is a good patriotic homage to the World War II sailors of the maritime service. Dane Clark as seamen Johnny Pulaski is a standout. Clark's acting deserved more recognition than he ever got. Alan Hale is also on board. Lloyd Bacon's direction is somewhat pedestrian but Producer Jerry Wald's fine production values, good action sequences and Adolph Deutsch's score compensate a lot.

Humphrey Bogart was excellent as the executive officer aboard a "Liberty Ship". This tells the story of a much forgotten service: the Merchant Marine. It shows the courage and commitment these professional sailors had to face down German U-boats and Raiders. These were the men that made sure that the needed war supplies got there intact. If you enjoy movies about WWII especially ones that were made during the war itself (like this one) then this is a MUST SEE.

Humprhey Bogart is part of a great ensemble cast in this WWII film that demonstrates the important contribution of the merchant marines. Bogart and Raymond Massey are solid as officers on board the ship, both committed to their careers and country, and both eager to return to the women they have left at home (Julie Bishop and Ruth Gordon). Among others on board is the always likeable Alan Hale, as well as Dane Clark, who gives a good performance as an intense sailor questioning his commitment to the cause. Lloyd Bacon doesn't direct with much style, but he punches across all the action scenes and keeps the film moving. Watching this film, I developed a greater respect and knowledge for the role the merchant marines played during WWII.

Most people today don't reliaze the great number of Merchant Marines that lost their lives during WWII as so wecould today have our freedom. There were more Merchant Seamen killed (in comparison to the number each service branch had) then any of the other armed forces. A gun on the stem and the stern can't do a lot against a German Sub! A real salute to Warner Brothers for making a movie that really lets a naive person see what it was like. Everything from the USMM enlisting posters hanging in the tavern to shipboard words like "how about that night-lunch"in this movie is presented true. For men like myself who take pride in the time we sailed the vast oceans of the world as part of our Merchant Marine this movie really can make us proud ! note: Raymond Massey was outstanding as the Old Man, He reminded me of a Captain Brown that I sailed under some 30+ years ago.
This movie is even better then the 5 star rating ,it is a real piece of American Maritime History! "ENJOY"

I love this movie. My father was skipper of an old freighter and later a Victory Ship during the War, and I see him in the gruff, tough, and yet caring, characters of this film. He too made the harrowing voyages to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, risking the wolfpacks of Uboats and the divebombers, to deliver supplies to our allies. The US Merchant Marine and US Naval Armed Guard suffered, percentage-wise, more casualties than any other service -- but their contribution and sacrifice is rarely told. "Action in the North Atlantic" depicts the harsh conditions and danger of the North Atlantic convoys with the level of realism available in films of its day. It accurately depicts the massive losses of men, ships, and cargo, and the unconcern of the American public who would neither refrain from discussing ship movements nor extinguish their city lights to avoid illuminating departing ships. Yet sailors and gunners were not detered. "Action in the North Atlantic" is frequently credited by veterans as the inspiration of their volunteering. Those who appreciate this movie will also enjoy reading "The Captain" by Jan De Hartog.

Fans of Bogart or war movies will definitely want to see this one. IMHO one of the best WWII movies made. Along with "Casablanca", "African Queen", "Caine Mutiny", and "Sahara", this was one of the all time great war movies that Bogart created a believeable character you enjoyed watching. The support cast round out the movie and add the the subplots that are needed to give an in depth look at the Merchant Marine. To few movies show groups of people, like the Merchant Marine, that were a large part of why we won wars. I salute them since they don't receive the recognition they deserve. We are quick to erect statues of fighting heroes, but not so quick to honor those that fought by supporting the troops with supplies, construction, first aid, and much more. If you enjoy this be sure catch John Wayne in "The Fighting Seabees". It amazes me that the rights owners of this wonderful movie have not put it on DVD. This will certainly sell as well as any classic John Wayne movie. I always wonder why so much junk is on DVD, but excellent movies like this are only on VHS or out of print (OOP). I love WWII movies and you need a variety to truly appreciate what happened. Movies like "Mrs. Miniver", "Three Came Home" and "Go for Broke" are not mainstream for everyone, but like this movie they give a better idea of the real people that made up not only our fighting forces but the civilian war effort as well. God bless the Merchant Marine. I know what you did has never been fully appreciated. I think movies like this help to make people get a glimmer of what really happened and how we all owe a debt to the Merchant Marines.

There weren't a great deal of movies about the auxillary outfits that aided the war effort abroad in WWII. John Wayne's "The Fighting Seabees" comes to mind as well as a Martha Raye USO picture or two. However, "Action in the North Atlantic" qualifies as sort of the epic picture of the limited genre. It's about the Merchant Marines and it stars Humphrey Bogart in a somewhat subdued yet very effective role. There's a fair amount of naval action as well as a lot of shipmate camaradarie, and even a romantic interlude (don't worry, it's not on the ship). We get a sense that these men are preforming a vital task at a high risk to themselves.

Besides Bogart, there is an interesting array of actors with Alan Hale and Raymond Massey as the other two names that might be recognized. The actors portray a diverse group of individuals who know their jobs and believe in what they're doing. There's one scene in particular where Bogart officiates (substituting for the wounded captain) at a funeral at sea service. There is a strong homily that he delevers that seems to be the high point of the movie. It is well done and forceful in the Bogart way.

"Action in the North Atlantic" may seem a bit long but it had a story to tell to a nation that needed to hear it and at a time it needed to be said. So what if it took an extra 20 minutes in doing so.

There are two remarkable films that depict convoy life in the North Atlantic during World War Two: Action in the North Atlantic and The Cruel Sea. Both have seasoned cast members led by strong actors. Humphrey Bogart plays the antithesis of a later role (Lieutenant Commander Queeg in "The Caine Mutiny") as the Exec., Joe Rossi, to Captain Steve Jarvis (ably played by veteran Canadian actor, Raymond Massey). The action, for the most part, is consistent, albeit without the gore representing realism in more modern movies of this genre.

This tape is well worth the cost, especially considering the fact that re-runs on late-night TV movies have become much harder to find.

By the way, if you like this movie, you'll also want to pick up a copy of "The Cruel Sea"- another equally-rare gem of naval action in World War II.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "ACTION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC" (1943) (129 min/B&W) -- Starring Humphrey Bogart, Raymond Massey, Alan Hale, Julie Bishop, Ruth Gordon & Dane Clark

Directed by Lloyd Bacon

This film boasts of a splendid cast and spectacular cinematography. Lloyd Bacon directs with a firm, vigorous treatment of all the battle scenes and only occasionally does the film slow down when dealing with the domestic front. Julie Bishop does a nice job as Bogart's girlfriend and later wife, while Raymond Massey shares his domestic homecoming with Ruth Gordon as his wife. But the film's merits are chiefly due to the action sequences, which are by far among the best ever featured in a Bogart film.

Dane Clark plays his usual hothead role with gusto and Alan Hale is a welcome addition to the supporting cast.

Bogart is given some flag-waving lines to read and the film concludes with a commentary using FDR's voice to salute the Merchant Marines and their contribution to the war effort.

The film has a great black and white photography by Ted McCord and a haunting musical score by Adolph Deutsch. The battle scenes were staged by Lloyd Bacon with an uncredited assistance from Raoul Walsh and they are amazing for what was accomplished in those days where the technology wasn't so advanced.

A great action WWII film with Bogie at his peak with enjoyable support from Massey - Oscar nominated for Best Writing, Original Story.

BIOS:
1. Lloyd Bacon [aka: Lloyd Francis Bacon]
Date of Birth: 4 December 1889 - San Jose, California
Date of Death: 15 November 1955 - Burbank, California

2. Humphrey Bogart
Date of Birth: 25 December 1899 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 14 January 1957 - Los Angeles, California

3. Raymond Massey
Date of Birth: 30 August 1896 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date of Death: 29 July 1983 - Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 129 min on VHS ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (03/07/2000)