Rating: 
Summary: The Definitive Cat and Mouse Submarine Movie
Review: This is one of the best duel-of-wits on the high seas between submarine and destroyer ever filmed. Robert Mitchum as the captain of an American destroyer and Curt Jurgens as the captain of a German submarine try to out maneuver each other in a battle of nerves, instincts, intelligence, seamanship and raw courage. The multi-talented Dick Powell directed this taught drama, which remains one of the most memorable and benchmark films of this genre. The interior of the German submarine does not have the realistic or claustrophobic look as seen in DAS BOOT but that's not the point. Powell's focus is on the two captains and how they act and react. This film does not lose sight of the mentality of that era and the psychological makeup of the men at sea above and below. This is classic filmmaking and should not be overshadowed by the recent resurgence of certain World War II films that seem to have lost sight of the reason men fought and died. This film also has an impressive cast featuring David Hedison, Theodore Bikel, Kurt Kreuger and Doug McClure. Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens portrayed true men of honor each dedicated to their duty that they were called upon.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the Better Submarine Movies
Review: This movie was made in the late 1950's and is based on the book by the same name. Here Robert Mitchum plays the new captain of an American destroyer in the South Pacific. On the voyage, the destroyer encounters a German U-boat (captained by Curt Jurgens) which is en route to a rendezvous with other German vessels. The bulk of this film is a classic "Killer Sub vs. Sub Killer" (as mentioned in the trailer before the film).The strength of this movie is not the cat-and-mouse battle. The power of this film lies in the portrayal of both sides of the battle. War is hell, and everyone merely wants to go home. This is "Das Boot" many years before it was made. You will even see "Hunt for Red October" scenes here. This film is well worth the viewing. This is Mitchum and Jurgens playing roles made for them. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Nice transfer of a classic war drama
Review: In recognition of Memorial Day, Fox Home Entertainment will release five classic war movies on DVD in an eclectic mix that takes us from the trenches of World War I ravaged France to the skies above Korea in the Korean War.
Perhaps the most anticipated of these movies is the often postponed "The Enemy Below" which had previously been targeted to coincide with Memorial Day 2003. As tense as submarine movies come this well respected movie follows the game of cat and mouse between the relentless captain of an American destroyer and a U-boat captain in the waters below.
That is what sets this movie apart from all others in its genre. The cover of the DVD sports the images of its two lead actors, Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens, and in a sense that accurately conveys the human drama that is the underlying theme for the movie. In both the American and German sides, the crews are relatively insignificant. The main focus of the movie is Mitchum's characters determination to outsmart and sink his quarry and Jurgens' characters equal determination to evade his adversary and complete his mission.
The quality on the DVD is surprisingly good considering the age of the original elements with no noticeable dirt or scratches on the transfer. Special features for the release include three short vintage MovieTone clips from the 1940s that detail the battle for the Atlantic.
Rating:
Summary: Saw an advance copy of the DVD and was impressed
Review: In recognition of Memorial Day, Fox Home Entertainment will release five classic war movies on DVD n an eclectic mix that takes us from the trenches of World War I ravaged France to the skies above Korea in the Korean War.
Perhaps the most anticipated of these movies is the often postponed "The Enemy Below" which had previously been targeted to coincide with Memorial Day 2003. As tense as submarine movies come this well respected movie follows the game of cat and mouse between the relentless captain of an American destroyer and a U-boat captain in the waters below.
That is what sets this movie apart from all others in its genre. The cover of the DVD sports the images of its two lead actors, Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens, and in a sense that accurately conveys the human drama that is the underlying theme for the movie. In both the American and German sides, the crews are relatively insignificant. The main focus of the movie is Mitchum's characters determination to outsmart and sink his quarry and Jurgens' characters equal determination to evade his adversary and complete his mission.
The quality on the DVD is surprisingly good considering the age of the original elements with no noticeable dirt or scratches on the transfer. Special features for the release also include three short vintage MovieTone clips from the 1940s that detail the battle for the Atlantic.
Rating:
Summary: The Enemy Below
Review: This is a Classic!! One of the best stories to come out of WW2. Mitchum plays the skipper of an American destroyer escort patrolling the South Atlantic. Jurgens plays the skipper of a German submarine. The crew of the American ship are bored due to the routine of patrol duties. By accident they stumble upon the sub and the chase is on. Who sinks who?? Great action flick with good acting. don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Here's to you my friend and you my friend
Review: During World Was II a U-boat and a destroyer are in a cat-and-mouse situation to the end. The question is who the cat is and who is the mouse? They use standard clichés and extraordinary tactics; however there is not need for anything supernatural or far fetched to hold your attention. It is a battle of wits and wills between the Commanders of both vessels. We are there as they both sweat out time or take chances. For the most part everyone is speaking English so you will not have to strain your eyes to read the small print at the bottom of the screen. Being made before CGI we will watch some battles and scenes made with the use of models. Yes you have seen this story portrayed again in such classics as "Das Boot" (1982). What is more interesting is even the same dialog is played out in the movie "Star Trek II - The wrath of Kahn" (1982) You will find this movie worth repeated viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Better movie than expected.
Review: was great movie and drama was good. and suspense. with robert mitchim was good. ending was terriffic so see this video. would be great to add to your collection..
Rating:
Summary: wonderful sub film, highly recommended
Review: This is not the average sub-film that centers on the crews of the sub and the sub-chaser. This is a two-man cat and mouse film, marvelously done with style and incisive insight. Robert Mitchum is the man who rises to do what is needed. Not a superhero, but a very human man who goes into war and does what is required. He is the Captain of a U.S. destroyer sent out to track U-boats. Curt Jurgens is his mirror reflection - below - a Captain of the U-Boat that becomes the target of Mitchum's search. He is not a product of the nazi war-machine, but again, a very likable man just defending his country. This is demonstrated with deft humor when Jurgens very deliberately hangs his jacket over the plaque of Hitler's propaganda. The script eschews the stereotypical "nazi monsters", and protrays a German crew with very real - and universal - emotions. They, too, were just men doing their job and what is required. Instead of having us root for the Americans to blow up the evil Germans, you are put in the position of caring equally for both sides. You comprehend that they are men, offering their lives for their command, not in a political way, but in a time-honoured fashion of a man going to war. You understand both sides REALLY do not want to be here, to kill or be killed; they would rather home. No rousing stereotypical propaganda. In the end, they will kill each other if they must, but given the choice, they would rather not. A little dated appeeance on the boat scenes by today's standards. It's obvious toy models when the boats crash, but easily overlooked and dismissed when balanced with the very impressive lack of finger-pointing and flag-waving for either nationality. Both Mitchum and Jurgens are dead-bang on target in their lead roles, with David Hedison, Theodore Bickel and Doug McClure round out a super cast.
Rating:
Summary: The bad guys wern't really all bad
Review: The enemy below is one of many movies that set out after the end of the second world war to reverse what America and their allies thought of Germans. After having to de-humanise them (as they did to us) for a decade or so to enable our young men to fight, kill and eventually defeat them, by 1957 we had new bad guys, (Boris and natasha cartoons) the Russian Communists to contend with. Also West Germany was now our staunch ally and so the need to reverse public opinion about the hated Hun. This movie does a remarkable job in starting to reverse anti German feelings. It's a good yarn, tense and sells us that really the beasts were not beasts but just good men pitted against each other. Most of them anyway. It must have went a long way towards achieving it's goal of re-conciliation between two former enemies, now allies. The singing of the rousing song "The Dessauer Marsch" written in 1706 with words no doubt written for the u-boat crews is a bold adventure as they refer to "Nazi fellowship".
Rating:
Summary: Duel on the high sea
Review: First of all, this was not an American story, the original novel the movie was based on is written by a retired British Navy Commamder. The destroyer was a British destroyer, and the destroyer captain is a British Officer. Dick Powell's movie changed them all to American. However, this change does not shadow his brilliant performance in his direction of the movie. Two experienced sailer, crossed line of each other on the high sea, one desperately tries to evade the other, the other desperately tries to pursue his target, each uses his best effort to frustrate the other's attempt. Aside from the seamanship, leadership, and technical knowledge of enemy vessel's performance ability, both charactors have also demonstrated chivary in a war of nasty. The ending scene dramatically shows the war can be romantic, chivarious, regardless the regime he represents. In wars like today when a nation vows to assassinate the oposing country's leader, this movie is refreshingly clean and non-violent, even peaceful. If there is any shortcoming in this otherwise excellent film, I would say it is the unnecessary cheap addition of Anti-Nazi propaganda. So if we have to praise a German soldier, we must also say he is anti-nazi, otherwise he is not worth our praise. This is a common mentality of some of Hollywood's best directors. A mild insult of the reader or watcher's intellience.
| 
