The Sea Shall Not Have Them
The Sea Shall Not Have Them is a 1954 British war film starring Michael Redgrave, Dirk Bogarde and Anthony Steel. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert and is based on the 1953 novel by John Harris, about a North Sea rescue during the Second World War. The musical soundtrack is by composer Malcolm Arnold. The film title is the motto of the Royal Air Force's Air Sea Rescue Service.
The Sea Shall Not Have Them | |
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Directed by | Lewis Gilbert |
Produced by | Daniel M. Angel |
Written by | Lewis Gilbert Vernon Harris based on the book by John Harris |
Starring | Michael Redgrave Dirk Bogarde Anthony Steel Nigel Patrick |
Music by | Malcolm Arnold |
Cinematography | Stephen Dade |
Edited by | Russell Lloyd |
Production company | Angel Productions |
Distributed by | Eros Films (UK) United Artists (USA) |
Release date | 30 November 1954 |
Running time | 91 min. |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Plot
It is the autumn of 1944. Allied armies are sweeping through France towards Germany. A British Lockheed Hudson has been damaged in aerial combat with a German Messerschmitt, with both aircraft ditching in the North Sea, twenty miles off the Dutch coast. The four crew from the British aircraft are unable to send a complete mayday alert, although a signal fragment reaches England. Among them is Air Commodore Waltby (Michael Redgrave) who has a briefcase containing secret German plans related to rocketry. Flight Sergeant Mackay (Dirk Bogarde) assumes a leading role in the rescue dinghy, tying everyone together to prevent anyone falling overboard, and sharing his boots with the pilot despite the cold. As the weather closes in and a freezing cold night descends, aircraft suspend their search, leaving the now waterlogged dinghy to face the sea alone. Cryptically, Waltby orders the crew members that if he dies, they must get the briefcase to London or throw it overboard should they face capture.
An RAF Air Sea Rescue sea launch is deployed to the search. Commanded by Flying Officer Treherne (Anthony Steel), Launch 2561, or "Sixty One" in radio signals, struggles against the bad weather, mechanical problems and a fire in the galley. Second in command, Flight Sergeant Singsby (Nigel Patrick) dominates the crew, playing a benevolent but demanding hand with the questionable seamanship of junior ranks. On the second day, updated intelligence about the dinghy's likely location is received from the downed German Messerschmitt pilot, who the RAF has since rescued. RAF Air Sea Rescue is now aware the dinghy has drifted inshore, far from its ditching point. As the weather clears, "Sixty One" sights the dinghy and approaches for rescue, negotiating fire from enemy shore batteries and a mine field. Launch 2561 safely returns to England where the briefcase with secret documents is delivered. An injured Flying Officer Treherne and Flight Sergeant Mackay are applauded by senior officers.
Cast
- Michael Redgrave as Air Commodore Waltby
- Dirk Bogarde as Flight Sergeant Mackay
- Anthony Steel as Flying Officer Treherne
- Nigel Patrick as Flight Sergeant Singsby
- Bonar Colleano as Sergeant Kirby
- James Kenney as Corporal Skinner
- Sydney Tafler as Corporal Robb
- Griffith Jones as Group Captain Todd
- Jack Watling as Flying Officer Harding
- Guy Middleton as Squadron Leader Scott
- Ian Whittaker as A.C.2 Milliken
- Paul Carpenter as Lt. Patrick Boyle, Sea Otter Pilot
- George Rose as Tebbitt
- Victor Maddern as Gus Westover
- Eddie Byrne as Petty Officer Porter
- Anton Diffring as German Pilot
- Gudrun Ure as Kirby's Fiancee
- Rachel Kempson as Mrs. Waltby
- Joan Sims as Hilda Tebbitt
- Michael Balfour as Dray
- Nigel Green as Met. Officer Howard
- Glyn Houston as Knox
- Moultrie Kelsall as Wing Commander Dixon
- Jack Lambert as Squadron Leader Craig
- Michael Ripper as Botterhill
Notes
Referring to the film's title, Noël Coward said of the film's two male stars, "I don't see why not. Everyone else has."[1] Redgrave was reportedly bisexual, while Bogarde was homosexual.[1]
The film was shot in Riverside Studios, and Felixstowe, Suffolk.[2]
References
- The Guardian: Sexy self-image that revved up Dirk Bogarde
- A. H. Weiler (13 June 1954). "By Way of Report: Disney Cameramen to Go to Far Places For New Nature Studies -- Addenda". The New York Times.