Brad Dexter, Burt Lancaster, Clark Gable

A movie's lasting value can often be measured by its influence in the years and decades following its original release, and on that basis Run Silent, Run Deep is certainly a classic of sorts...( read more  read more... ). It remains one of the seminal World War II submarine pictures, and its intelligent script and tautly executed action are clearly echoed in such later submarine dramas as Das Boot and especially Crimson Tide, which borrows liberally from this 1958 film.

In one of his best and final roles (he appeared in only four films after this), Clark Gable plays a submarine captain without a command, having been saddled with a desk job after his previous ship was destroyed due to his overzealous pursuit of the enemy in dangerous Japanese waters. He finally gets another boat--this time with a vigilant first officer (Burt Lancaster), who stands poised to assume command if Gable puts his crew in unnecessary danger. The tension and mutual respect between these two principled men is superbly written and directed (Robert Wise was just two years away from his triumph with West Side Story), and the crucial inclusion of a strong supporting cast (including Jack Warden and Don Rickles) enhances the movie's compelling authenticity. Based on a novel by former submarine commander Edward L. Beach, Run Silent, Run Deep is rousing entertainment with the added benefit of paying honorable tribute to the men who navigated through the most frightening and claustrophobic channels of the Pacific theater. --Jeff Shannon

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70% liked it

4,468 ratings

Unrated, 93 min.

Directed by: Robert Wise

Release Date: March 27, 1958

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DVD Release Date: August 15, 2001

Stats: 152 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (152)


  • April 7, 2007
    a run of the mill submarine drama. nowhere near as good as wolfgang petersons "das boot" but still there is some alright acting in it
  • March 12, 2009
    This movie has Gable and Burt in it so you know it's good. The two Hollywood giants have great chemistry, and it's a shame this is their only collaboration together. Gable is a sub captain who is out for revenge against the Japanese Destroyer that sunk his sub the year before. ...( read more)Burt is his 2nd in command who questions Gable's plans. It's a run of the mill WWII submarine drama, but the performances are so enjoyable that I recommend it.
  • February 14, 2008
    Brilliant war movies take get me every time...This does not dissapoint.
  • December 17, 2007
    A classic submarine tale that is clearly influential over modern movies like Crimson Tide. Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster both are excellent in this one.
  • June 9, 2009
    Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)

    It's a cliched submarine war drama, but it's also a good movie and well worth watching. Desk-bound in Hawaii, Commander Richardson (Clark Gable) had his submarine sunk at the infamous Bungo Straights and wants to get another crack at the Akikase dest...( read more)royer. So he swings getting command of another sub with the top brass.

    First Officer, Lieutenant Jim Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster) is the Captain apparent, but has to babysit Richardson instead. His whole crew is antagonistic, especially when he drills them for days, getting them trained for a difficult bow shot of the Akikase. When Commander Richardson finally goes into the Bungo Straights, it's right out of Moby Dick, but you knew it was going to happen.

    The crew is filled with great actors, including; Jack Warden, Don Rickles, Brad Dexter, and Nick Cravat who has been in many of Lancaster's movies.
  • March 6, 2009
    Pretty good sub flick. Some fine acting from Gable and Lancaster. A little slow in the beginning but it picked up enough for a thrilling end.
  • August 20, 2008
    This is a movie that I typically would've only watched with my dad as a child on a rainy sunday afternoon. As an adult I watch it and feel myself begin to sweat as if I'm in that damn submarine watching Lancaster and Gable shoot angry glares at each other.

    This is THE submari...( read more)ne war-fare movie. Matter of fact all the others owe their cool plot devices to this picture.
  • August 12, 2008
    Old B/W movie (1958). Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster. It's about a submarine captain, during WWII, that goes on a dangerous mission to avenge his last (lost) submarine command. This movie has good action and a good cast. I like this one and have seen it many times, so, I definit...( read more)ely recommend it.
  • August 7, 2008
    Clark Gable was very good in this...I personally think he was at par in this with Gone With the Wind
  • July 13, 2008
    A good classic that invents several of the submarine movie staples.

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Comments


  • WrellikW
    August 12, 2008
    I like this movie; it has a good cast and good action. It was made when the Navy really promoted themselves in the movies and good movies are what came out of that cooperation. I like this one.

    Take care all,
    William
    Zzzzzzooooommmmm!!!!

    "It is easy to be brave, from a distance." -American Indian Proverb-

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Run Silent, Run Deep Trivia


  • Don Rickles star in a movie with CLark Gable named Run Silent, Run Deep. Who was the other Major star ....  Answer »
  • This 1958 movie takes place on a submarine (captained by Clark Gable) which sets out from Pearl Harbor to chase a Japanese boat during World War II. The cast also includes Don Rickles, Jack Warden, and Burt Lancaster. Name it:  Answer »

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