|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
The Battle of The River Plate |
  |
The Battle of The River Plate - 1956 | 119 mins | War, Drama | ColourThe Production TeamDirector: Michael
Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Asst Director: Charles Orme. Producer: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Associate Producer: Sydney Streeter. Executive Producer: Earl St. John. Script: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Cinematography: Christopher Challis. Editing: Reginald Mills. Production Design: Arthur Lawson. Make-Up Artist: Geoffrey Rodway. Special Effects: James Snow and Bill Warrington. Sound: Gordon K. McCallum, Arthur Stevens and C.C. Stevens. Music: Brian Easdale. |
|
The CastAnthony Quayle - Commodore Harwood John Gregson - Captain Bell Peter Finch - Captain Langsdorff Bernard Lee - Captain Dove Ian Hunter - Captain Woodhouse Jack Gwyllim - Captain Parry Lionel Murton - Mike Fowler Anthony Bushell - Mr. Millington Drake Patrick Macnee - Lieutenant Commander Medley Michael Goodliffe - Captain McCall Peter Illing - Dr. Guani John Chandos - Dr. Langmann William Squire - Ray Martin Roger Delgado - Captain Varela Andrew Cruickshank - Captain Stubbs Christopher Lee - Manolo John Schlesinger - German Officer John Le Mesurier - Padre |
Plot SynopsisIn the first weeks of the Second World War, German crack pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, captained by Hans Langsdorff, inflicts heavy damage on British merchant shipping. Discovering the Graf Spee's position, Commodore Harwood consults with Captains Bell of the Exeter, Woodhouse of Ajax and Parry of the New Zealand ship Achilles, gambling that the Germans will head for the River Plate before returning home. A fierce battle rages throughout the following day, with Exeter suffering heavy damage. The Graf Spee escapes under cover of nightfall to neutral Montevideo harbour where, after frantic diplomatic negotiations, foreign minister Doctor Guani, acting under the Hague Convention, allows Langsdorff 72 hours to carry out such repairs a will make the vessel seaworthy without enhancing its fighting ability. British Naval Intelligence meanwhile spread rumours of an advancing fleet awaiting the German ship as soon as it leaves port, although only the still damaged Ajax and Achilles are within striking distance. As the deadline approaches and the Graf Spee moves out of the harbour, the entire crew transfer to a German freighter as a series explosions engulf their ship in flames. The British bluff has worked - Langsdorff has scuttled his vessel, believing escape impossible. |
|