Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Commander Von Stolberg [First engagement] He’s Clever or he’s a fool… maybe he’s too clever or too foolish, we’ll see


Directed by Dick Powell
Robert Mitchum as Capt. Murrell
Curt Jurgens as U-Boat Commander, Von Stolberg


The Enemy Below 1957


The Plot / Storyline

The Enemy Below is set in the South Atlantic ocean during World War II. Capt. Murrell is the commander of a U.S. warship on a mission to hunt down and destroy enemy German U-Boats. The German U-Boat had already completed her patrol and was headed back to rendezvous with their fighter group. Radar from the U.S. warship picked up the U-Boat while she was running on the surface charging batteries and making better time. As fate would have it these two extremely capable commanders were both very smart and evenly matched in their wit, naval tactics and survival. During the initial engagements the American commander was underestimated and he put the fear of god into the German U-Boat crew with his uncanny ability to track and depth charge the U-Boat. He was also able to estimate the fire time for a competent U-Boat crew and he managed to turn into the enemy torpedo attack just in time. Ultimately Capt. Murrell’s success would come to an end. The U-Boat commander was quick to learn from his mistakes and eventually made the crew of the American warship experience a kind of hell as well. It appeared that these two master chess players are evenly matched, but it just seemed that way. Someone must win this death match and someone does indeed.

Captain Murrell, That there's no end to misery and destruction. You cut the head off a snake, and it grows another one. You cut that one off, and you find another. You can't kill it, because it's something within ourselves. You can call it the enemy if you want to, but it's part of us; we're all men.


Conclusion

The Enemy Below is one of the best submarine war films to date. That’s pretty good when you consider that this film was made in 1957. The story is solid and has a very good pace to it with a some interesting sub plots as well. The story is fairly simple but translates into a movie very well with some good directing, acting, sets and special effects. The story is about two top notch commanders that run into each other while out at sea. Both seem sure of themselves but in the end it becomes clear that one of them will prevail. Submarine warfare is intriguing to most viewers anyway. The sub plot is how the two commanders feel about “War” and their perspective countries. I found it interesting to see a bit of anti-war rhetoric in a 1957 film about world war II. It was interesting to hear both of the commanders perspectives on war nonetheless. The special effects were outstanding at the time the film was made. By today’s standards it is still a quality film that looks realistic. The Enemy Below was nominated for several Academy awards in 1957 and won for the best special effects.

The acting in the film was very good. I enjoy films with Robert Mitchum and his acting is top notch. Curt Jurgens also plays his part well. Both actors did an outstanding job with their parts. The directing was good as well. Dick Powell was not an experienced director, so I was a little surprised to see such quality work from a guy who only directed a handful of films. The Enemy Below was easily his best work as a director. The film has a good pace to it with a good mixture of action, smart conversation and intellect. The cinematography was shot well and the depth charge scenes are especially praiseworthy and very realistic looking. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys submarine films or is a fan of Mitchum. I like the movie and I’ve added it to my DVD collection. I give The Enemy Below four of five stars.


Similar Movies

♦ Top Ten Submarine Films
♦ Das Boat
♦ Run Silent Run Deep

RUNTIME: 1 Hour 38 minutes
Rated : [NR] War violence

Thanks for the read,
© 2005 Joe McMaster

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older