Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)
A submarine captain conflicts with his executive officer and crew during World War II. Directed by Robert Wise.
In this "Moby Dick" influenced story Clark Gable plays a submarine captain who loses his first sub and vows revenge on the destroyer that sank it. Burt Lancaster plays the executive officer of another submarine who is expecting to be promoted to captain of his current ship. But Gable manages to get himself placed as captain instead, and sets about drilling the crew over and over. The crew can't understand why he seems to be drilling them so much, but it's finally revealed that he is going to attempt a bow shot, a very difficult and dangerous maneuver.
The crew finally gives Gable some respect after he successfully sinks a destroyer using the technique, although when he disobeys direct orders and heads into a restricted area, the crew seems close to mutiny. He attempts to sink his white whale (the destroyer), but the torpedo fails, and the sub comes under attack. Gable is injured, and Lancaster takes over, making orders to head back to Pearl. But he realizes that because the Japanese think the sub is lost, they have an excellent opportunity to sink the destroyer.
They find another convoy being protected by the destroyer, and this time successfully sink it. But they realize that a Japanese submarine is in the area, and have to attempt to wait it out. In the end, they manage to sink the Japanese submarine, but Gable succumbs to injuries sustained in the destroyer attack.
Robert Wise does a great job with this film. The submarine seems accurate, if a bit roomy. It's amusing to see Don Rickles (his first movie!) in a non-Rickles role - he may have some funny lines, but it's not a comedy. And the special effects are pretty good, especially the models. The story manages to suprise, as I could see the mutiny coming, but in the end, the mutiny never really materializes (Gable gives up command).
In this "Moby Dick" influenced story Clark Gable plays a submarine captain who loses his first sub and vows revenge on the destroyer that sank it. Burt Lancaster plays the executive officer of another submarine who is expecting to be promoted to captain of his current ship. But Gable manages to get himself placed as captain instead, and sets about drilling the crew over and over. The crew can't understand why he seems to be drilling them so much, but it's finally revealed that he is going to attempt a bow shot, a very difficult and dangerous maneuver.
The crew finally gives Gable some respect after he successfully sinks a destroyer using the technique, although when he disobeys direct orders and heads into a restricted area, the crew seems close to mutiny. He attempts to sink his white whale (the destroyer), but the torpedo fails, and the sub comes under attack. Gable is injured, and Lancaster takes over, making orders to head back to Pearl. But he realizes that because the Japanese think the sub is lost, they have an excellent opportunity to sink the destroyer.
They find another convoy being protected by the destroyer, and this time successfully sink it. But they realize that a Japanese submarine is in the area, and have to attempt to wait it out. In the end, they manage to sink the Japanese submarine, but Gable succumbs to injuries sustained in the destroyer attack.
Robert Wise does a great job with this film. The submarine seems accurate, if a bit roomy. It's amusing to see Don Rickles (his first movie!) in a non-Rickles role - he may have some funny lines, but it's not a comedy. And the special effects are pretty good, especially the models. The story manages to suprise, as I could see the mutiny coming, but in the end, the mutiny never really materializes (Gable gives up command).
posted by Mike at 7:05 PM
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