Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)

100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(5,070 ratings)

The contrasting acting styles of Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster serve to increase the already high tension level of the WW2 drama Run Silent, Run Deep. Gable plays submarine commander "Rich" Richardson, who assumes command of the USS Nerka. Because his previous sub was sunk by the Japanese under… More The contrasting acting styles of Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster serve to increase the already high tension level of the WW2 drama Run Silent, Run Deep. Gable plays submarine commander "Rich" Richardson, who assumes command of the USS Nerka. Because his previous sub was sunk by the Japanese under highly suspect circumstances, Richardson inspires nothing but animosity from his new crew. Particularly hostile is executive officer Lt. Jim Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster), who'd assumed that he was next in line to command the Nerka. Obsessed with tracking down the Japanese destroyer that sank his old sub, Richardson drives his crew mercilessly, and even disobeys direct orders from his own higher-ups. The Nerka manages to blast the Japanese vessel out of the waters, but in so doing the sub is placed in dire peril in enemy waters. In his desperate efforts to save the Nerka, Richardson at long last wins the respect of Bledsoe and the rest of the crew. Featured in the cast of Run Silent, Run Deep are Burt Lancaster's old circus partner Nick Cravat, and, in his unbilled movie debut, Don Rickles. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Robert Wise
Written By: John Gay
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Mar 27, 1958 Wide
On DVD: Aug 15, 2001

Critic Reviews

Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Solid WWII drama with two can't-miss stars.
Dan Fienberg, Zap2it.com
Watch Run Silent, Run Deep. Then watch K:19. Then complain that "They don't make 'em like they used to."
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster headline a tense WWII submarine adventure as battling officers.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Cindy I

Enjoyable naval adventure starring Clark Gable as a WWII submarine captain who is out for revenge against a Japanese warship that took down the sub Gable was captaining the year before. Some tense moments and, with the exception of some obvious miniatures during the battle sequences,… More
Enjoyable naval adventure starring Clark Gable as a WWII submarine captain who is out for revenge against a Japanese warship that took down the sub Gable was captaining the year before. Some tense moments and, with the exception of some obvious miniatures during the battle sequences, some decent special effects. Right up there with DESTINATION TOKYO and ENEMY BELOW as a quality submarine film.
AJ V

Another boring submarine picture... A good cast, but that's about it.
cody f

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… More
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. 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.
Barry L

Brilliant war movies take get me every time...This does not dissapoint.
James B

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.