For the most part, the historical accuracy in "Sink the Bismarck!" was praised by critics, with "Variety" calling it a "first-rate film re-creation of a thrilling historical event." A contemporary "The New York Times" review by A. H. Weiler, likewise championed its realism in saying "a viewer could not ask for greater authenticity." However, it went on to criticise both the acting and the constant scene changes "from Admiralty plotting rooms to the bridges of the ships at sea," claiming that this lessened the "over-all effectiveness" of both scenes. "Film4" praised its cinematography, noting that it "very realistically re-enacted scenes in the War Room of the Admiralty" as well as "excellently filmed episodes using miniature models."