film in colour and which be very unusual for a british war movie of that era and this be a basically decent take on ww2 naval conflict . it nice to sea genuine warship of the period in their full spectacular and menace beauty and instead of the usual tacky and implausible model . just check out the ea battle of in harm way to sea how badly it could have be do . lot of fine british character actor pop up and do their stuff . anthony quayle and john gregson and patrick macnee and there be many more . there be also plenty of nice little detail that often get overlook and such a the gun muzzle that become smoke blacken after use . the actual battle sequence tend to look a little hokey nowadays and with the splash of nearby shell fall resemble a bucket of pelted water . still while the destruction and confusion arise from direct hit be believable enough . some commentator smirk at the stiff upper lipped ness of the character portray and but these attitude be and in fact and very authentic . it be terribly bad form to lapse into any kind of emotional display in those time of repressed englishness and never mind the histrionics often ( wrongly ) depict of american . people have a far great sense of national obligation in those day and and lament one personal loss imply a lack of proportion while everyone be suffer one way and another . a recently interview former nurse who serve in a war casualty hospital remark how and despite the most appalling injury she have ever see and no man ever swear or cry out in pain . the only exclamation of distress she ever hear be a whispered oh dear . there a scene in the much more gritty cruel sea in which a crew member and whilst write a letter to his wife and be inform of her death in the blitz . he respond simply by say i think i will just go on deck for a while . everyone learnt to have a much great sense of self discipline and forbearance . they keep a good face and grieve in private . unlike the wimp of today . just look at the antic of a modern premier league footballer who get trip up . another criticism have be levy about it predominantly british take on event . but what would one expect in 1956. the bleeding heart liberal apologist hadn not take over the medium by then . in fact and finch langsdorff and the graff spee crew in general offer a pretty sympathetic presentation of those who fight at sea for the most despicable regime of modern time . let not forget that this powerful warship be employ in sink defenceless merchant vessel . when it come up against determine though still inferior gun adversary and langsdorff response be to cut and run . bearing in mind that the battle be depict from a british perspective and that they know almost nothing of the mindset of their enemy and i would say it be sufficiently evenly balance for the story and the drama . i also like the way we patrol with the fleet a the dawn break on a clear morning . we see the sky brightening and the sun slowly rise a the aboard ship drama unfold . if i have a grumble about the movie it concern the post montevideo section . far too much of the drama be give over to the rogue reporter . his relentless hyperbole jar with the steadfast british understatement that dominate the first half of the action . but i suppose a american money fund it and an american warship have be borrow to play the graff spee and they must be allow in somewhere . still and there much to like and admire in this golden oldie and from top drawer actor and excellent script and beautiful photography and and genuine warship of the time and as well a a largely authentic slice of history . not many movie can boast all of these thing . just check out u571 . recommend .