thinker1691 Review of Sink the Bismarck!

Sink the Bismarck! (1960)

" He's as cold as a witch's heart, yet I wish for a man with no heart at all "

[8/10 · 11 January 2009]

When making a film like, "Sink The Bismark" it benefits the audience when actual facts of the ship or the events are used in the final cut. This film does just that. It begins with the Christening and launching of the impressive German vessel, Bismark. The massive battleship which could easily cruise at 30 knots became the pride of Germany and quickly proved her military prowess when encountering the H.M.S. Hood. The Hood was the pride of the British Royal Navy with her Captain and select crew of 1,500 men were well seasoned and experienced. Yet on that fateful day of May 24th, 1941 the two ships came within 15 miles of each other. After several exchanged salvos, the Bismark with her compliment of 8 fifteen inch guns completely destroyed the British ship leaving only three survivors. This disastrous event is but one of the exceptional battle scenes, superbly recreated by Howard Lydecker and his special effects crew. To add to the creative storyline are the actors which give this movie a superior realism. Kenneth More as Captain Shepard, who along with his naval staff wage war against the Bismark from their underground command post in war-torn London, where Edward R. Murrow gives the world a blow by blow account of the desperate time. Dana Wynter plays Anne Davis, his able assistant. Carl Möhner is Captain Lindemann, the proud Captain of the Bismark with Karel Stepanek playing his immediate superior, Admiral Lutjens. Laurence Naismith plays the First Sea Lord. This a great film and should honor the Allies who gave so much when the world needed them. ****