Above Us the Waves (1955)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

the audience applauded

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

British cinema had its most distinguished period after WW2, notably between 1945 and 1970, during which time it produced masterpieces that ranged from comedies (KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS, other Ealing comedies; supernatural/psycho horrow films such as DEAD OF NIGHT, THE INNOCENTS; love stories like BRIEF ENCOUNTER; and war films like DAM BUSTERS, CRUEL SEA, COLDITZ STORY. BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, FIVE FINGERS, WE DIVE AT DAWN, GUNS OF NAVARONE, ABOVE US THE WAVES).I am fond of the latter. I first saw it on TV in Swaziland, Africa, and was promptly impressed by the British stiff upper lip, as portrayed by a fantastic cast that includes such solid actors as James Robertson Justice, John Mills, Donald Sinden, John Gregson, among others - including some four or five German-speaking actors, notably the Tirpitz commander, who are totally convincing.B&W photography is highly competent, but understandably limited because this was not a high budget film. Direction by Ralph Thomas is very tight and coherent, with scenes in the submarines particularly effective, highlighting all the potentially deadly hazards.Screenplay also a tad limited, but credible. Ending is an example of simplicity and effectiveness, with John Mills quietly but perceptibly bitterly, reflecting on his upcoming detention in a camp. Strongly recommended if you are interested in 1) British film making; 2) Solid acting; 3) WW2.

This movie depicts "Operation Source" the Royal Navy's secret operation to destroy the Tirpitz. This is probably the best movie depicting midget submarines and chariots. Sir John Mills in fine form, and made in the mid 1950s, depicts gear, uniforms and setting not too far from the era. Plot line, it actually follows the basic facts of the real operation, and an earlier operation involving chariots. Some tense moments in the mini subs, and it says a lot for a film where a lot of drama can occur just in one set. Germans are all speaking German and don't come across as 2 dimensional which is always good - though no subtitles (they didn't get used in film before the 1960s). Only problem I would say is the film doesn't make it clear what the results of the mission were, but a minor point.

I kind of enjoy these test war-time adventures, even when they're a little stilted, as this one is. John Mills is the commander of a flotilla of three midget submarines towed to a Norwegian fjord in which the Ruddy Great Battleship Tirpitz is moored. Two of the boats deliver their load of explosives under the keel of the Tirpitz and damage her, while the third boat explodes and its crew die.There's nothing extraordinarily good or bad about this engaging enterprise. John Mills is good, as usual, though without any individualizing quirks. The men banter quite a bit, as usual. There are no scenes on the beach, in which men romance their young women or get into inter-service brawls in the pubs, and there are no dissolves with harps leading to flashbacks of the men's happy home lives, which is not usual.What is usual, is that our side completes its mission, though at considerable cost. The explosives go off before the Tirpitz has time to build up enough steam to gain way. The damage was severe but the Allies had to presume she was still seaworthy and kept an inordinate number of British ships in the area, pinning them down. The Tirpitz was finally sunk by jumbo bombs from Lancasters in 1944. In a way, it was too bad because the Tirpitz, like the Bismark, was a beautifully designed ship, a pleasure to look at, as if it had been the work of an architect rather than a marine engineer.Well, war often destroys beautiful things. It also produces entertainment about brave and adventurous men, like this film.

It is instructive to watch fifty years on how the Allies portrayed their victorious armed forces on the screen.The United States were represented by the cigar chomping ,helmet askew,grizzled flinty eyed G.I.dishing out chewing gum to snotty- nosed kids all over the world, The Russians sad - faced country boys,pale and sensitive,hating the Germans of course,but very keen on watching birds - particularly cranes apparently.The French dapper and sophisticated even a little effete but certainly hating the Germans.The Australians rowdy and undisciplined but murderous and hating everybody foreign.And the Brits....ah,the Brits. Inspired amateurs,a mixture of coal miners,shopkeepers,City gents,farmers and barrow boys somehow magically intermingled to produce a bloody - minded fighting man with occasional flashes of genius and and absolute refusal to even consider defeat. Such was the make up of the submariner in general and the midget submariner in particular. "Above us the waves" tells of the exploits of the brave men who sailed deep into the Norwegian fjords to confront the "Tirpitz",scourge of the convoys.Having convinced a sceptical Admiralty in the person of Mr James Robertson Justice that such an attack had at least a small chance of succeeding,Mr John Mills leads his crews quietly and with the minimum of flag - waving to the target where they plant explosives under the keel of the ship.Despite being captured and taken on board Mr Mills and his men stay silent under questioning and the resulting detonation severely damages the "Tirpitz",putting it out of action for six months. Mr John Gregson and his crew are not so lucky and perish in the icy water. This is not a Bruce Wills blockbuster,nobody yells "Yippee - aye - ay motherxxxxxxx" at the enemy,there aren't many bangs for your buck and the special effects aren't up to much.The Germans are played as more or less mirror - images of the Brits and the mutual respect is apparent. "Above us the waves" is a low - key film with subdued performances. War isn't depicted as big boys' game,these men are in deadly danger and fully aware of it.To carry on quietly and,yes,bloody - mindedly if you like.......now that's real courage for you.