The Cruel Sea

At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer

Drama History War

Jack Hawkins

(Ericson)

Donald Sinden

(Lockhart)

Denholm Elliott

(Morell)

John Stratton

(Ferraby)

Stanley Baker

(Bennett)

Liam Redmond

(Watts)

Meredith Edwards

(Yeoman Wells)

Bruce Seton

(Tallow)

John Warner

(Baker)

Barry Letts

(Raikes)

Gerard Heinz

(Polish Captain)

Fred Griffiths

(Gracey)

Glyn Houston

(Phillips)

Virginia McKenna

(Julie Hallam)

Megs Jenkins

(Tallow's Sister)

June Thorburn

(Doris Ferraby)

Moira Lister

(Elaine Morell)

Alec McCowen

(Tonbridge)

Leo Phillips

(Wainwright)

Dafydd Havard

(Signalman Rose)

Laurence Hardy

(Sellars)

Sam Kydd

(Carslake)

John Singer

(Gray)

Barry Steele

(Broughton)

Gerik Schjelderup

(Norwegian Captain)

Gaston Richer

(French Captain)

Andrew Cruickshank

(Scott Brown)

Kenn Kennedy

(Allingham)

Harold Goodwin

(ASDIC Operator)

George Curzon

(Admiral at Party)

Anthony Snell

(R.N. Lieutenant)

Ronald Simpson

(R.N. Captain)

Don Sharp

(Lieutenant-Commander)

Herbert C. Walton

(The Waiter)

Jack Howard

(A Survivor)

Russell Waters

(A.R.P. Warden)

Harold Jamieson

(A.R.P. Warden)

Warwick Ashton

(Petty Officer Instructor)

Walter Fitzgerald

(Warden (uncredited))

Paddy Joyce

(Sonar Operator (uncredited))

Richard Leech

(Sailor (uncredited))

Jim Brady

(Sailor in Water)

Alan Webb

(Admiral Murray-Forbes (uncredited))