The Enemy Below - review

- larger image -	The Enemy Below ASIN: B0001NBMH6 Binding: DVD List price: $14.98 USD Amazon price: $9.99 USD

Kurt Jurgens and Robert Mitchum star in this film from 1957.  Also David Hedison, later of "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," as the American executive officer.  The entertaining story presents a battle of wits between an American destroyer captain (Mitchum) and a German u-boat skipper (Jurgens) set in a bright, clean view of WWII.  Features probably the handsomest destroyer crew ever assembled and certainly the best-tanned u-boat captain.  Good things include some interesting characters, interesting dialog and nice shots aboard the US destroyer.  The u-boat is less well represented in terms of sets and equipment closeups.  Good depth charge scenes and a nice sonar sound.

Has a clear anti-war message and also a vaguely anti-Hitler German captain with whom it's easy to empathise.  Overall it contrasts strongly with Das Boot in terms of realism and grit although both films ultimately share a harsh view of u-boat life at war.

Category: fictional WWII chase drama

Realism: 3 (very deep dive in a Type VII, poor sub equipment)

Location: Atlantic Ocean

Boats: German Type VII, American destroyer

Heroes: clearly the German and American captains

Overall Rating: 3 Nemos