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Run Silent, Run Deep

Run Silent, Run Deep

List Price: $14.95
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Clark Gables last fight
Review: 1942, one year after Pearl Harbor, officer Jim Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster), who wanted the command of a submarine is passed over in favour of commander P.J. Richardson (Clark Gable). Although their operational order carries them to a notoriously dangerous place "room 7", Richardson seems to avoid the mysterious "Bongo straits" where, one year ago he lost his ship. While Bledsoe wonders if his new captain is a coward, Richardson manages to destroy a japanese cruiser, becomes a hero to his crew and raises Bledsoes jealousy. When their submarine is averaged by a torpedo bomber, it becomes evident that Richardson suffers from a more serious condition than just a concussion of the brain. His health failing, Bledsoe takes the command. But Richardson has not the intention to die in bed...

Widely considered to be one of the finest WWII films ever made. Bosley Crowther wrote "A better film about the guys in the "silent service" has not been made". The film was produced by Lancasters own film company Hecht-Hill-Lancaster. The scenes where the men try to avoid the torpedos are among the most nerve-racking under-water-war scenes ever filmed. The navy loaned the U.S.S. Redfish to double for Gable's submarine, the Nerka. Some of the combat scenes were faked by using miniature submarines and ships in a studio tank. Lancaster biographer Cate Buford was reminded of a water ballet. There is always the feeling that the narrow room where they live can soon become their coffin. That's what life on a submarine must have been like: cramped, choking, claustrophobic. But the film is more than a WWII film: It captures also the cold-war anxiety of this era.

Despite its age this film is preferable to the german film "Das Boot" ( A very fine film, but it gets longer with every new director's cut. The last version filled two evenings!). John Gays screenplay offers heroism and self-sacrifice without wasting time or words or gliding into melodrama. Director Robert Wise keeps the tension high, ably assisted by Franz Waxmans score.

The performances are impeccable. Burt Lancaster is shark-like and intense. It's almost impossible to read from his face. Is he auditioning for "The Caine Mutiny" or the role of Mr. Spock? The fact that he remains so inpenetrable adds much to the suspense. Gables performance is pure gold. Having been an officer (in the air-force) during the war, everything he does or says rings true. He is absolutely authentic. He does not act - he is. His late scenes, when his health is beginning to deteriorate are heart-breaking because his performance is so noble. Nor for one moment does he play for cheap sympathy. He looks ill and probably was, but he still holds on. During filming he was very sensitive to the fact that Lancaster was 17 years younger and such a monument of strength. Gable especially objected to a scene where Commander Richardson made a serious error in judgment during a battle with the japanese ship. So John Gay and original author Edward Beach concocted the story of the "disease with the long latin name". Gable was delighted with this development and said: "You mean I conk out. Thats it! That's it!". As a revenge Lancaster made some jokes about Gable's dentures, but the two actors got along fine nonetheless. Lancaster was especially grateful that this film helped him recuperate some of the losses of his previous production "Sweet smell of success". "Run Silent Run Deep" was not Gable's last film. He was to make three (rather average) comedies, and his swan-song was, of course, his touching portrayal as a world-weary cowboy in "The Misfits". Sadly he died without ever having seen his baby-son. But I digress...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Defect in the Widescreen version
Review: A plastic sticked was attached to the DVD diskett which has left a little glue stuck to the surface of the disc and when it arrives there there are a few scenec which jumps. Can somebody enlighten me why they put the plastic sticker on. It is the first time since I ever started to collect DVD's. The Film is great otherwise as I enjoy very much war films and look forward for more. The Black and white photography is fantastic as also the story Thanks

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Suspenseful and complex
Review: A superior war film, and one of the prototypical submarine movies. Burt Lancaster and Clark Gable lock horns as the ranking officers on a WWII submarine slated for duty in the Pacific theater. Lancaster has been the ship's captain for years and has the respect of the crew, but he is abruptly displaced by Gable's Captain Richardson, a near-washout who is obsessed with breaking a Japanese blockade of a vital sea lane, after having lost his own ship there the year before. The personal tensions and resentments between the two officers are complicated by the grumblings of the crew, and by differences in naval tactics: Gable runs the crew ragged practicing for a dangerous new tactic that he's convinced will defeat the Japanese, and the sailors appeal to Lancaster for relief. A fascinating look at the frayed edges of military discipline, with a taut, well-directed script and good B&W cinematography. The shots of the exterior of the submarine are particularly nice: here's a film that lets us see how boatlike submarines actually are; you feel like you're actually up on deck, looking at every rivet and welding seam. If you go for this kind of movie, this one is hard to beat.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Suspenseful and complex
Review: A superior war film, and one of the prototypical submarine movies. Burt Lancaster and Clark Gable lock horns as the ranking officers on a WWII submarine slated for duty in the Pacific theater. Lancaster has been the ship's captain for years and has the respect of the crew, but he is abruptly displaced by Gable's Captain Richardson, a near-washout who is obsessed with breaking a Japanese blockade of a vital sea lane, after having lost his own ship there the year before. The personal tensions and resentments between the two officers are complicated by the grumblings of the crew, and by differences in naval tactics: Gable runs the crew ragged practicing for a dangerous new tactic that he's convinced will defeat the Japanese, and the sailors appeal to Lancaster for relief. A fascinating look at the frayed edges of military discipline, with a taut, well-directed script and good B&W cinematography. The shots of the exterior of the submarine are particularly nice: here's a film that lets us see how boatlike submarines actually are; you feel like you're actually up on deck, looking at every rivet and welding seam. If you go for this kind of movie, this one is hard to beat.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the greatest movies ever made... IMHO ;-)
Review: A suspensful, action packed drama, this film is one of my all time favorites. Performances by both Lancaster and Gable are right on the mark, they (especially Gable) had me believing they were actual naval officers. The scene where Lancaster relieves Gable of command is powerful, here we see two great actors at the peak of their skills. Gable's contempt towards Lancaster for the act is truly inspired (He virtually spits out his disgust here: "A fleet ship of the US Navy, with her fighting power intact, and your first command is to order a retreat", every time I watch this scene it gets better and better!). Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman recreate this scene in "Crimson Tide", but it doesn't match the intensity created by Lancaster and Gable in the scene from RSRD. One neat byproduct of this movie is that after watching it, you will have a pretty detailed understanding of what a WWII Balao class sub looks like, how the chain of command works, and what happens on a typical patrol - you will be educated and entertained at the same time, what a bargain! Nice supporting role by Don Rickles. A great, classic movie for sure, you won't be disappointed! END

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent
Review: As far as olden days flicks go, this is one of the best. Very well made and acted, Gable is one of my favourites.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Run Silent, Run Deep Lanaster - Clark Gable
Review: Awesome film. Interest catching and quick moving! Even the grandkids rate it a 5 stars. Appears authentic and emotionally moving!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Tight Focus
Review: Clark Gable stars as the captain of a WWII submarine preparing to battle against a Japanese destroyer that has been responsible for the destruction of four American subs, including Gable's previous command. Burt Lancaster is his executive officer, the man who was slated to command the vessel until Gable convinced the Navy brass he had earned another shot. Needless to say, this creates tension between the two, and it filters down to the crew who resent the new captain and take a dislike to his repeated drills and style. Gable has to earn their respect, as well as Lancaster's. Run Silent, Run Deep keeps a sharp focus and I liked that. There are some interesting supporting characters, but needless subplots can be distracting and cut from the tension. This film has none of that. It's all about whether the American sub can finally defeat the Japanese, and the film steadily develops the tension leading up to the climatic moments. Gable and Lancaster are both very strong here, maintaining the tough edge that a good captain needs. The battle sequences are well executed and the viewer is given a good sense of what it is like to be aboard a submarine, especially during a battle. Tightly edited, written, and directed, this is one of the better war films I have seen.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "What is that sir, I can't make it out?"
Review: Commander Richardson (Clark Gable) loses his submarine and crew to the Japanese while trying to attack the Momo in the Bongo Straits. After pining about it behind a desk he forces the department to give him a new sub. The condition is that the second in command is competent. This is all well and fine except the second in command Lieutenant Jim Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster) was to be the next captain of the ship and resents being subjugated.

They constantly drill for fast dives and quick torpedo shots. Yet the first chance at a Japanese submarine and he sneaks away. What is Commander Richardson up to? Lieutenant Bledsoe has his suspicions and so do we.


Rating: 4 stars
Summary: - Don't say we didn't have a Captain! -
Review: Commander Richardson (Clark Gable) survived his last assignment as a Captain on a submarine, which was sunk in the Pacific Ocean. A year later Commander Richardson works at a desk, in Pearl Harbor, but this is not what he is meant to do as he wants to be a Submarine Captain again. He sends in a request to return to Area 7, where he once was sunk, as the area has been deemed too cursed since four other subs have been sunk there throughout the last twelve months. Commander Richardson is assigned to a new submarine, however, it was supposed to be Lieutenant Jim Bledsoe's (Burt Lancaster) assignment as he has been on the sub for two years. Despite Lieutenant Bledsoe's dislike of the navy's decision he continues to work hard for Commander Richardson, who is running diving exercises repeatedly without telling anyone why. This causes apprehension among the men on the sub as they are to enter the most feared waters of the Pacific Ocean. Run Silent, Run Deep is an interesting war film that depicts the daily frictions between Captains and the rest of the men onboard subs during the World War II. Wise creates an authentic atmosphere onboard the submarine, despite some underwater shots that obviously were shot in a swimming pool. In the end, Run Silent, Run Deep offers a suspenseful and intriguing cinematic experience.


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