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.
The Cruel Sea
Overview
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.
Director
Charles Frend
Status
Released
Production
Ealing Studios, Michael Balcon Productions
Cast
Jack Hawkins
Ericson
Donald Sinden
Lockhart
Denholm Elliott
Morell
John Stratton
Ferraby
Stanley Baker
Bennett
Liam Redmond
Watts
Meredith Edwards
Yeoman Wells
Bruce Seton
Tallow
John Warner
Baker
Barry Letts
Raikes
Gerard Heinz
Polish Captain
Fred Griffiths
Gracey
Glyn Houston
Phillips
Virginia McKenna
Julie Hallam
Megs Jenkins
Tallow's Sister
June Thorburn
Doris Ferraby
Moira Lister
Elaine Morell
Alec McCowen
Tonbridge
Leo Phillips
Wainwright
Dafydd Havard
Signalman Rose
Laurence Hardy
Sellars
Sam Kydd
Carslake
John Singer
Gray
Barry Steele
Broughton
Gerik Schjelderup
Norwegian Captain
Gaston Richer
French Captain
Andrew Cruickshank
Scott Brown
Kenn Kennedy
Allingham
Harold Goodwin
ASDIC Operator
George Curzon
Admiral at Party
Anthony Snell
R.N. Lieutenant
Ronald Simpson
R.N. Captain
Don Sharp
Lieutenant-Commander
Herbert C. Walton
The Waiter
Jack Howard
A Survivor
Russell Waters
A.R.P. Warden
Harold Jamieson
A.R.P. Warden
Warwick Ashton
Petty Officer Instructor
Walter Fitzgerald
Warden (uncredited)
Paddy Joyce
Sonar Operator (uncredited)
Richard Leech
Sailor (uncredited)
Jim Brady
Sailor in Water
Alan Webb
Admiral Murray-Forbes (uncredited)
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