An engrossing account of the sinking of the British destroyer HMS Torrin during the Battle of Crete. Three survivors on a raft recount their lives aboard the sunken vessel. Academy Award Nominations: 2, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay.

Partially based on an actual naval disaster, this documentary-style drama uses real combat footage to tell the story of the destroyer Torrin and its crew.
After enemy torpedoes sink the British ship, Captain Kinross, Chief Petty Officer Hardy and Shorty Blake reminisce in a lifeboat. While the three navy men pray they'll come out of this alive... back home during the Blitz, Shorty's wife Freda gives birth to their child.

Film acting debut for Richard Attenborough.

First collaboration between Nöel Coward and David Lean.

First and last time that Nöel Coward directed for the cinema.

Directing debut for David Lean, who had been an editor.

The film incorporates actual wartime naval combat footage. In order to preserve its original look, this footage was not digitally enhanced in Criterion's laserdisc transfer.

The film is based on the true story of the H.M.S. Kelly, a destroyer under the leadership of Lord Louis Mountbatten which sank in the Mediterranean.

Nöel Coward won a Special Award (certificate) in 1942 from the Academy for his outstanding production achievement.

DVD Features:

Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Biographies
Photo Galleries
Filmographies

Noël Coward: English Actor/Playwright
John Mills: British actor, GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS/GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Bernard Miles: British Actor
Celia Johnson: British Actress

Noël Coward: English Actor/Playwright
David Lean: British Director/Producer/Editor, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA