The Cruel Sea is a 1953 British war film directed by Charles Frend and based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Monsarrat. The film is a portrayal of life aboard a Royal Navy convoy escort during World War II. It stars Jack Hawkins as Commander George Ericson and Donald Sinden as his first officer, Lieutenant Lockhart.
The film follows the crew of the HMS Compass Rose as they complete countless escort missions across the Atlantic Ocean, fending off German U-boat attacks and navigating through treacherous weather conditions. As the war drags on, the men become increasingly exhausted and demoralized, and they are confronted with the harsh reality of war when they are forced to rescue survivors from a torpedoed merchant ship.
Throughout the film, Ericson and Lockhart develop a close relationship, forged through their shared experiences and the traumatic events they witness together. They are forced to make tough decisions and endure immense stress, yet they remain dedicated to their duty and committed to the protection of the Allied convoys.
The Cruel Sea is considered a classic of British cinema and has been praised for its realistic portrayal of naval warfare during World War II. It was also one of the first British films to depict the psychological toll of war on its soldiers.