Customer Reviews

The Enemy Below

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best duel-of-wits on the high seas between submarine and destroyer ever filmed. Robert Mitchum as the captain of an American destroyer and Curt Jurgens as the captain of a German submarine try to out maneuver each other in a battle of nerves, instincts, intelligence, seamanship and raw courage. The multi-talented Dick Powell directed this taught drama, which remains one of the most memorable and benchmark films of this genre. The interior of the German submarine does not have the realistic or claustrophobic look as seen in DAS BOOT but that's not the point. Powell's focus is on the two captains and how they act and react. This film does not lose sight of the mentality of that era and the psychological makeup of the men at sea above and below. This is classic filmmaking and should not be overshadowed by the recent resurgence of certain World War II films that seem to have lost sight of the reason men fought and died. This film also has an impressive cast featuring David Hedison, Theodore Bikel, Kurt Kreuger and Doug McClure. Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens portrayed true men of honor each dedicated to their duty that they were called upon.

This is not the average sub-film that centers on the crews of the sub and the sub-chaser. This is a two-man cat and mouse film, marvelously done with style and incisive insight.

Robert Mitchum is the man who rises to do what is needed. Not a superhero, but a very human man who goes into war and does what is required. He is the Captain of a U.S. destroyer sent out to track U-boats. Curt Jurgens is his mirror reflection - below - a Captain of the U-Boat that becomes the target of Mitchum's search. He is not a product of the Nazi war-machine, but again, a very likable man just defending his country. This is demonstrated with deft humor when Jurgens very deliberately hangs his jacket over the plaque of Hitler's propaganda.

The script eschews the stereotypical "Nazi monsters", and portrays a German crew with very real - and universal - emotions. They, too, were just men doing their job and what is required. Instead of having us root for the Americans to blow up the evil Germans, you are put in the position of caring equally for both sides. You comprehend that they are men, offering their lives for their command, not in a political way, but in a time-honoured fashion of a man going to war. You understand both sides REALLY do not want to be here, to kill or be killed; they would rather home. No rousing stereotypical propaganda. In the end, they will kill each other if they must, but given the choice, they would rather not. Very different for that period of war films.

A little dated appearance on the boat scenes by today's standards. It's obvious toy models when the boats crash, but easily overlooked and dismissed when balanced with the very impressive lack of finger-pointing and flag-waving for either nationality. Both Mitchum and Jurgens are dead-bang on target in their lead roles, with David Hedison, Theodore Bickel and Doug McClure round out a super cast

This movie was made in the late 1950's and is based on the book by the same name. Here Robert Mitchum plays the new captain of an American destroyer in the South Pacific. On the voyage, the destroyer encounters a German U-boat (captained by Curt Jurgens) which is en route to a rendezvous with other German vessels. The bulk of this film is a classic "Killer Sub vs. Sub Killer" (as mentioned in the trailer before the film).

The strength of this movie is not the cat-and-mouse battle. The power of this film lies in the portrayal of both sides of the battle. War is hell, and everyone merely wants to go home.

This is "Das Boot" many years before it was made. You will even see "Hunt for Red October" scenes here. This film is well worth the viewing. This is Mitchum and Jurgens playing roles made for them. I highly recommend it.

Dick Powell had to have had one of the most interesting careers in Hollywood history. He started out as a golden-throated pretty boy actor, made a successful mid-career shift to hard boiled roles like Philip Marlowe and then, for good measure, directed a handful of movies, including the submarine action picture THE ENEMY BELOW.
THE ENEMY BELOW is a 100% action movie, without any distracting romantic sub-plot or comic relief crew members. Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens are excellent as the American destroyer commander and U-boat commander who cross paths in the Atlantic Ocean and engage in a deadly hunt. With a few exceptions the models are realistically rendered and convincing. This is one of the best war movies out there, and maybe the best navy movie available. I strongly recommend it to action fans.

Sailing on the high seas in his destroyer, the new captain encounters a submarine. His wife having been killed in a ship sunk by a torpedo, Capt. Murrell (Robert Mitchum) has a special distaste for submarines. He immediately gives chase and attempts to destroy the submarine. Capt. Von Stolberg (Curt Jürgens) is a U-boat commander on a mission, and initially he sees the destroyer as more of a nuisance than a real threat. We quickly learn the answer to the question asked by members of Murrell's crew, does the new captain know what he is doing? We learn at the same time the crew does that Capt. Murrell knows submarine tactics. It is soon after we learn that Capt. Murrell knows what he is doing that Von Stolberg also learns the same thing. Now the chess game becomes serious.

We learn a lot about both Murrell and Von Stolberg as the movie progresses. Von Stolberg cares little for Nazis and Hitler, an attitude typical among German submariners during World War II. Von Stolberg is tired and anxious for the war to end. While Murrell is just trying to do his job, you can sense equal measures of revenge and perhaps just a touch of regret that war and killing is necessary at all. While he is very matter-of-fact as he chases the submarine, he does so without enjoyment. At times I thought he was even a little sad that the conflict was necessary. Von Stolberg too is distressed regarding the feinting of the two craft. He wants to make his rendezvous, he wants to go home.

As the story develops we gain a deep respect for these two men as the scenes switch between the two characters. We realize that while there must be a resolution, we too would rather the two ships go their own way, especially since we know the war must be near an end.

The special effects are somewhat spotty. The interior views of the submarine and the destroyer are quite good. The exterior views of the destroyer and submarine are generally good, but there are some exceptions. Fortunately, the cinematography and skill of the director allows us to overlook the small flaws in the special effects, particularly as the movie draws to an exciting conclusion that makes us wonder whether either captain will survive the encounter.

It may be somewhat difficult for most to put themselves in the position of a World War II submariner without having seen one of these boats. Fortunately there are several on display in various places around the country. Once you realize how tiny and cramped submarines were in that era, you wonder at the fear of men under attack from above, particularly after the invention of sonar. They can hear everything from the drop of depth charges to the horrendous explosion they make, yet, they can do nothing. Learn how small these submarines are and you will appreciate this movie even more.

Also worthy to note in this movie is the presence of several well-known actors. David Hedison, later to be on the bridge of the Seaview in the television series "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," plays Murrell's executive officer. Theodore Bikel, character actor in numerous movies, plays Von Stolberg's second in command. Well down in the credits is future "Virginian" star and movie star Doug McClure. A number of other actors had extensive future careers at the time of their appearance in this movie.

This movie is one of the best of the movies about World War II. The movie portrays the lengthy battle between a submarine and destroyer quite well. More importantly, the movie focuses on the two captains and their mixed feelings about the combat. This movie is worthy of having in any war movie collection or any collection that emphasizes conflict between two characters.

With so many other (mostly positive) reviews for "The Enemy Below", I will try to keep my comments brief. This is a fine World War II thriller set in the south Atlantic, with a US Navy destroyer and a German U-boat hunting one another in a deadly game of nautical chess. It was released theatrically in 1957.

Robert Mitchum stars as the destroyer captain, with a major chip on his shoulder towards German submarines. A previous ship he was travelling on was torpedoed--he survived--his wife did not. As usual, we have one of Mr. Mitchum's excellent performances--tough as nails, but all too human at the same time. His adversary, the U-boat captain, is played by Curt Jurgens--this role is the more difficult of the two, and Mr. Jurgens is quite marvellous. This German is a decent human being, trying to do his "job", hating the war and especially the man who is destroying Germany and its people--Adolf Hitler. Mr. Jurgens simply wants to get home, with his crew and boat in one piece. This is no cartoon Nazi--just a human being caught up in war, like the rest of the men on his submarine.

Since both captains are extremely intelligent and experienced seamen, their "duel" becomes a fascinating exercise for the audience, with liberal amounts of suspense and action. Director Dick Powell does an excellent job--he would re-team with Robert Mitchum a year later for "The Hunters", a fine Korean War aviation film ( also reviewed by yours truly ).

The supporting cast is fine--Al (soon to be David) Hedison is Mr. Mitchum's patrician second-in-command--his opposite number on the U-boat is played by multi-talented Theodore Bikel. You will also spot a very young Doug McClure on board the destroyer.

Fox has given us a beautiful, wide-screen picture--the colours are fine. There are only a few extras--a trailer and a news clip. I must express my surprise though at the mistake on the cover of the DVD--other reviewers have noticed this too. The cover is supposed to depict the two main adversaries in the film--Mr. Mitchum is there--but the other profile is certainly not Curt Jurgens. Both of these fine actors have passed on. Surely, with one of Mr. Jurgens' best performances in "The Enemy Below", he deserves more respect than this ! ?

I only gave "The Enemy Below" four stars because, if I give it five, what would I give "Das Boot", the best submarine film ever made ? Still--if you like World War II action thrillers with two great stars at the top of their game, this DVD must be in your collection. Recommended.

IN A NUTSHELL: FOCUSED ACTION DRAMA HIGHLIGHTS THE HUMAN SPIRIT

In this action war picture set in the south Atlantic, men are pitted against each other in mortal combat aboard an American Destroyer Escort and a U-Boat. In "The Enemy Below", we see the Captain, officers, and crews of both ships: before, during and after a rather intense day of mortal combat. The only distraction here is the philosophical delving into the basic morality [or lack of it] of war by the Captains of both vessels and what they do about it.

WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT: DESTROYER VERSUS SUBMARINE - TO THE END

The entire film is aboard ship, both ships in this case, and it all is set in a day of battle - total mortal combat. Everything looks and sounds pretty realistic and this film did win an Academy Award for "Best Special Effects", in 1960.

Both Captains, Robert Mitchum who plays Captain Murrell, and Curd Jürgens as Captain Von Stolberg, play their roles with balanced intensity while both suffer from personal losses from the war. Though both men are affected by their losses, it does not affect their efficiency, which is rather impressive in every way. The climax of the film illustrates the fruit of their philosphical leanings which are quite alike.


---* THE PLAYERS --*

Robert Mitchum - Capt. Murrell
Curd Jürgens - Von Stolberg
Theodore Bikel - Schwaffer
Russell Collins - Doctor
Kurt Kreuger - Von Holem
Frank Albertson - C.P.O. Crain
Biff Elliot - Quartermaster
Alan Dexter - Mackeson
Doug McClure - Ensign Merry
Jeff Daley - Corky
Joe di Reda - Robbins
Ralph Manza - Lt. Bonelli
Maurice Doner - Cook
Robert Whiteside - Torpedo Officer
Ronnie Rondell - American Sailor
Peter Dane - Andrews, Radio Operator
Vince Deadrick, Jr.
David Bair - Ellis
Robert Boon - Chief Engineer
David Hedison - Lieutenant Ware
Ralph Reed - Fireman

--* THE PRODUCTION CREW --*

Dick Powell - Director / Producer
Wendell Mayes - Screenwriter
D.A. Rayner - Book Author
Harold Hal Rosson - Cinematographer
Leigh Harline - Composer (Music Score)
Lionel Newman - Musical Direction/Supervision
Stuart Gilmore - Editor
Albert Hogsett - Art Director
Lyle Wheeler - Art Director
Walter Scott - Set Designer
Charles LeMaire - Costume Designer
Arthur L. Kirbach - Sound/Sound Designer
Ben Nye, Sr. - Makeup
L.B. Abbott - Special Effects


ABOUT THE DVD: VERY CLEAN WIDESCREEN TRANSFER + SOME FEATURES

This DVD plays and sounds much better than the video version that I had for several years. It is Widescreen anamorphic with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. I would guess that it has been remastered or at least cleaned up nicely before transferring to DVD.

---* FEATRUES:

You get several trailers and three excerpts from "Movie Tone News" from World War 2 pertaining to U-Boats, U-Boat pens, and the battle at sea around Norway in 1940.

Yes, it will PLAY in ENGLISH, FRENCH or SPANISH & their are SUBTITLES available in both ENGLISH & SPANISH.

BOTTOM LINE: STANDS UP WELL TO TIME

One of the best naval war films leaves out all the extraneous non-ship stuff and provides 98 minutes of wartime action with 'Oscar' Winning 'Special Effects', realistic action and believable characters.

---* ALSO RECOMMENDED VIEWING:

DAS BOOT Das Boot [1981, Wolfgang Petersen]
RUN SILENT RUN DEEP [1958, Robert Wise]
TORPEDO RUN [1958, Joseph Pevney]
DESTINATION TOKYO [1943, Delmer Daves]
U-571 [2000, Jonathan Mostow]

Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens star in this exciting World War II drama about an American destroyer escort and a German U-Boat stalking each other in the waters of the South Atlantic.

Mitchum stars as Capt. Murrell, a former merchant marine sailor who had his merchant ship sunk by a U-Boat in the North Atlantic. When asked why he wanted to get back in action so soon after the sinking, he replied that he wanted to be on the shooting end for a change. Thought to be "soft" by his crew, Murrell soon earns their respect with his no-nonsense attitude and quick thinking.

Jurgens stars as Captain Von Stolberg. A veteran of U-Boats from World War I and an enemy of Naziism, he still has a cunning edge to him, and he is every bit as methodical and quick thinking as his American counterpart.

While on station in the South Atlantic, Murrell's destroyer encounters Von Stolberg's submarine, and the chase is on. Each captain masterfully commands their vessel and crew, while at the same time trying to figure out what the other's next move will be. In the beginning, Murrell's destroyer has the upper hand, mirroring the sub's vain attempts at escape, while laying down a tremendous barrage of depth charges. But they can't seem to deliver the coup de grace.

Meanwhile, Von Stolberg and his crew manage to weather the storm of depth charges while trying to manuver the American destroyer into a position where the sub can fire a spread of torpedoes. This ongoing game of cat and mouse continues until Von Stolberg is finally able to shoot at the destroyer. One well-placed torpedo hits the destroyer, but is this the end for the Americans? What will happen to the U-Boat?

This is a treiffic movie. Jurgens and Mitchum are tremendous in their roles as the opposing captains, and the action is non-stop. The battle scenes and special effects are very good, and the movie won an Academy Award for its special effects. I highly recommend this great war film. The action and battle scenes are first-rate, and the story is excellent. Watch and see who will blink first in a true test of mettle and wits.

This movie is about the conflict between an American destroyer commander and a veteran U-boat commander in the southern Atlantic. While the U-boat commander's only goal is to carry out his orders and get back home, Mitchum's only goal is to track and kill the U-boat.

There are top-notch performances throughout this movie. It gives, I believe, a representative view of the German and American views of the latter part of the Battle for the Atlantic.

All the U-boat crews wanted to do in the latter part of the war was to survive, and all the allied surface fleet wanted to do was to smash the U-boat arm that had wreaked so much havoc earlier it the war.

If you like war movies in general, and sub movies in particular, don't miss this movie!

Alan Holyoak

This is a WWII classic about the US Navy versus a German U-Boat in the Atlantic. The film is evenly balanced with no flag waving for either side and keeps you on the edge of your seat from the opening to end. A Sea story at it's best. Supurb performances by Mitchum and Jergens. You won't be sorry.