The Battle of the River Plate (Pursuit of the Graf Spee) (1956)

80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(726 ratings)

Widely regarded as one of the best and most intelligent British war dramas of the 1950s, The Battle of River Plate is the story of Britain's first significant naval victory in WW2. John Gregson heads the cast as Captain Bell, skipper of the Exeter, one of several vessels engaged in pursuit of the… More Widely regarded as one of the best and most intelligent British war dramas of the 1950s, The Battle of River Plate is the story of Britain's first significant naval victory in WW2. John Gregson heads the cast as Captain Bell, skipper of the Exeter, one of several vessels engaged in pursuit of the "indestructable" Geman battleship Graf Spee. Taking refuge in the neutral harbor of Montevideo, the Graf Spee is covertly protected by the Uruguayan government. Eventually, however, German captain Langsdorff (Peter Finch) is faced with a difficult decision: either stand his ground and fight a losing battle against the Exeter and its sister ships, or scuttle the Graf Spee and save the lives of his crew. Battle of the River Plate was released in the US as Pursuit of the Graf Spee. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 59 min.
Directed By: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 30, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Nov 9, 2010

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
The battle sequences, in which the lightweight British cruisers close in on the Graf Spee and force the enemy to take shelter in Montevideo harbor, are powerful, exciting and technically impressive.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Give the British filmmakers a good, rousing subject from their own naval history and they're almost certain to come up with a picture that proudly bespeaks the courage and audacity of a hero breed.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Though it's mostly a waiting game, the film is tense and involving, thanks to Powell's fluid shifting of the point of view.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The film is adroitly directed by Powell and Pressburger, though the concentration is on the vessels, rather than the men aboard them.
, Empire Magazine
Not Powell and Emeric's greatest work, but still a cut above many '50s war movies.
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
The miniature work is excellent and physical production impressive even as the filmmakers constantly deny the spectacle of battle to focus on the people...
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
... a rather routine chronicle of the capture of the feared German battleship the Graf Spee.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Powell and Pressburger's final collaboration as The Archers was also, perhaps, their dullest.
, Film4
An enjoyable and more than usually thoughtful Second World War film. Expertly photographed, cleverly paced and full of good humour and empathy.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Cast

            John Gregson as Capt. F.S. Bell "Exeter"

            Anthony Quayle as Commodore Harwood

            Peter Finch as Capt. Hans Langsdorff "Admiral Graf Spee"

            Ian Hunter as Capt. Woodhouse "Ajax"

            Jack Gwillim as Capt. Parry "Achilles"

            Lionel Murton as Mike Fowler American Radio Commentator

            Bernard Lee as Capt. Patrick Dove "Africa Shell"

            Anthony Bushell as Mr. Millington-Drake British Minister

            Michael Goodliffe as Capt. McCall British Naval Attache

            Patrick Macnee as Lieutenant Commander Medley

            John Chandos as Dr. Langmann German Minister

            Douglas Wilmer as Mr. Desmoulins French Minister

            William Squire as Ray Martin

            Roger Delgado as Capt. Varela

            Andrew Cruickshank as Capt. Stubs

            Christopher Lee as Manola Cantina Manager

            Edward Atienza as Pop

            April Olrich as Dolores Cantina Singer

            David Farrar as Narrator

            Barry Foster
            
            Peter Illing as Dr. Guani Uruguayan Foreign Minister

            Edward Judd
            
            John Le Mesurier as Chaplain "Exeter"

            Maria Mercedes as Madame X

            John Merivale as Pilot "Achilles" Bridge

            Nigel Stock as British Officer aboard Graf spee

            Brian Worth
            
            Anthony Newley as British Officer aboard Graf spee

            John Schlesinger as German Officer
See full cast

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