Run Silent, Run Deep

source: Run Silent Run Deep

Trailer—Run Silent, Run Deep

Torpedos full ahead! This classic is probably the best example on screen of the everyday life and working on a submarine. Commander Richardson(Clark Gable)waits a year after losing his ship to get command again of a submarine to stalk the Japanese destroyer that haunts his every dream. He will have to battle with his first officer Lt. Bledsoe(Burt Lancaster)who vied for this same command. The crew is also balkish to Richardson and his obsessive drills to make that one big kill. This is superb WWII sub action. Supporting cast includes: Jack Warden, Brad Dexter, Don Rickles, Joe Maross and Rudy Bond. Kudos to acclaimed director Robert Wise and to Franz Waxman for the original score and the photography of Russell Harlan.

If you enjoy a good submarine picture that takes place during WW II with Japan in the Pacific Ocean, you will definitely enjoy this film. Clark Gable,(Cmdr.'Rick' Richardson) commander of a submarine a few years early in the war encountered a very drastic defeat by the enemy and was placed behind a desk. It was not too long when Richardson decides he is going to see the top brass about commanding another submarine and it is granted. However, Burt Lancaster,(Lt. Jim Bledsoe) wants to be the commander and he is turned down and Rick Richardson wants him on his sub and of course, plenty of trouble starts among the crew who are all on the side of Lt. Jim Bledsoe. There is plenty of action and you will soon find out why the title of this film is Run Silent Run Deep.

Directed with steady hands by Robert Wise, Run Silent Run Deep is as solid a submarine adventure you could wish to see. That it has the talents of Clark Cable & Burt Lancaster to call on is obviously a bonus, but the films triumph is playing it straight, it doesn't have to resort to histrionics, it portrays the tenseness of the situation perfectly, men under pressure during the most trying of times. The heartbeat of the film is the respective characters that Lancaster & Cable are playing, both men have different beliefs in how this submarine and its mission should be handled, and it is this play off that lifts the film into very good territory, ably supported by Don Rickles, Brad Dexter and Jack Warden the film is a fine character piece that has enough action sequences to keep war genre fans happy as well. 8/10

The interaction between Gable and Lancaster is something to behold. That and the story, the tension and the realism of men under attack. Yes, the special effects are not to the "high" standards of today, but they serve the story well and do not detract from the important drama. As one poster said, this movie would be ill served in color as would Das Boot in B&W. An overall excellent adaptation of the book and as far as the points not explained, all the better. I hate movies that stop the action to then explain to a character what that character is about to experience/see/do, etc. Give the movie goer credit for being able to fill in the gaps. A must have for any WWII movie collection.

There's really nothing to knock about this excellent submarine film. The acting was stellar--with Clark Gable giving a generally restrained performance and Burt Lancaster doing a fine job as his second in command. The writing and directing were also very good and are meant to appeal to the intelligent and discerning viewers. Although not exactly upbeat, I like the way the movie ends--it may be a bit of a downer for some, but represents the sacrifices that are often made in war. As a result of all these pluses, it is an even better film than the exceptional Destination Tokyo. However, considering the absolute care and devotion to detail in the German film, Das Boot, it must rank as perhaps the second-best submarine film of all-time.