Customer Reviews

We Dive at Dawn / Submarine Alert [VHS]

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

 

 

This film was shot with the cooperation of the Royal Navy at the outset of WW2, so the boats you see are the real McCoy, which is pretty cool if you're a submarine enthusiast. The plot is good, but the film is hampered by: (a) thick English accents. My American brain had some trouble understanding some of the dialogue at the beginning of the film, but after awhile I either adapted to the tongue or the actors spoke clearer. (b) poor film stock. Back in the 1940's war time pressures limited movie studios in production qualities, so the sound is garbled a bit and the film clarity is slightly blurry and grainy, as if you were watching this film through water, and (c) character development which didn't seem to accomplish much other than to slow down the pace of the film and give us some background on the poor Brit sailor of German heritage who ends up saving the life of the crew in a final act of heroism.

The submarine is sent to attack the German battleship "Brandenburg" in the heart of German-controlled waters. The boat must go through mine fields and undersea nets to reach its rendezvous point and make a daring attack. It also makes an unscheduled stop to steal fuel oil from a German-controlled port. Good action here makes it worth the struggle through the beginning of the film.

Not the best WW2 sub film you'll ever see, but worth a viewing or two.

Of the entire WWII sub genre of the 40's and 50's, this may be the most realistic. Filmed during the war in G.B., the film does an excellent job of weaving the crews personal and naval lives into a lively and coherent story. The acting is typical low-key, stiff-upper lip British. This allows the excitment to build naturally, without the hoopla of loud band music typical of Hollywood efforts. In short, I like this film.

Now, the sound isn't perfect. And yes, they speak in British accents. (Afterall, it's a British movie. What would you expect? Texas drawls?) The stock footage is limited to that available during a Britain under a veil of war security. None of this detracts from a great story.

On the whole the film works well and stands up to multiple viewings. One of the best of the genre. Worth a purchase.