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Above Us the Waves

  • 1955
  • Approved
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
Above Us the Waves (1955)
DramaWar

The attack by British submarines on the German battleship "Tirpitz" in a Norwegian fjord during World War II.The attack by British submarines on the German battleship "Tirpitz" in a Norwegian fjord during World War II.The attack by British submarines on the German battleship "Tirpitz" in a Norwegian fjord during World War II.

  • Director
    • Ralph Thomas
  • Writers
    • Charles Esme Thornton Warren
    • James D. Benson
    • Robin Estridge
  • Stars
    • John Mills
    • John Gregson
    • Donald Sinden
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    1.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ralph Thomas
    • Writers
      • Charles Esme Thornton Warren
      • James D. Benson
      • Robin Estridge
    • Stars
      • John Mills
      • John Gregson
      • Donald Sinden
    • 28User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos33

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    Top cast56

    Edit
    John Mills
    John Mills
    • Cmdr. Fraser
    John Gregson
    John Gregson
    • Lt Alec Duffy
    Donald Sinden
    Donald Sinden
    • Lt Tom Corbett
    James Robertson Justice
    James Robertson Justice
    • Adm. Ryder
    Michael Medwin
    Michael Medwin
    • Smart
    James Kenney
    James Kenney
    • Abercrombie
    O.E. Hasse
    O.E. Hasse
    • Captain of the Tirpitz
    Lee Patterson
    Lee Patterson
    • Cox
    William Russell
    William Russell
    • Ramsey
    Theodore Bikel
    Theodore Bikel
    • German Officer
    Harry Towb
    Harry Towb
    • McCleery
    Cyril Chamberlain
    • CPO Chubb
    Tony Wager
    Tony Wager
    • George
    • (as Anthony Wager)
    Leslie Weston
    • Winley
    Lyndon Brook
    Lyndon Brook
    • Diver Navigator, X2
    Thomas Heathcote
    Thomas Heathcote
    • Hutchins
    Anthony Newley
    Anthony Newley
    • Engineer, X2
    John Horsley
    John Horsley
    • Lt. Anderson
    • Director
      • Ralph Thomas
    • Writers
      • Charles Esme Thornton Warren
      • James D. Benson
      • Robin Estridge
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews28

    6.61.7K
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    Featured reviews

    6mailmartinbuckley

    Great war story marred by weak direction

    A lot of things about this film make you think director Ralph Thomas slept his way through the job. The scene when Donald Sinden tries to push off a mine with his feet is amazingly badly done. The film also fails to give you a real sense of what the mission achieved! (It did not, as the film implies, break the back of the ship -- but did succeed in putting Tirpitz out of action for half a year; the RAF finally destroyed her a year after the midget attack.) But there are plenty of decent scenes, and some real tension. The script isn't bad, and having the Germans speak in (unsubtitled) German adds authenticity. John Mills is, as always, excellent. Above all, the film tells a true story, of primitive, cramped baby submarines, poorly insulated diving suits and icy water. And real heroism.
    toonnnnn

    tense war film

    A film about an atack on the German warship TIRPITZ a story that is well told,with tense and tragic moments.The story shows how ordinary men can perform extraordinary taskes when their country is at war.Wether the story really happened like this I do not know but once you start watching this film grips you,I would like to know what happened to the guys who are involved I hope they went on to lead fullfilling lives because they are true heroes.
    7CinemaSerf

    Above Us the Waves

    John Mills sets off to convince a sceptical Admiral (James Robertson Justice) of the merits of "midget" submarines in active warfare. His intention is to use these tiny craft to lay high explosives underneath the hull of the mighty Nazi battleship "Tirpitz" that is safely anchored in a steep-sided Norwegian fjord. John Gregson and Donald Sinden join him on the mission deep into the heart of enemy territory fighting both the elements and the novel technology. You get a sense of he claustrophobic conditions - and of the close teamwork that engenders, as well as the fragility of their craft and; tempered by the odd light-hearted moment, this is quite a gripping little wartime tale.
    simon.conder

    A wonderful film

    This is yet another example of the fantastic films that Britain USED TO MAKE. Great acting, powerful direction and real emotion.

    I saw in at the cinema a few weeks back and it really still packs a punch. I must get this one and others like the Cruel Sea on DVD.

    If only we could make films like this again.

    Why is it that we could make such great films 30 or 40 years back and now we have so many problems? Actually I think I know that answer to that one already.

    I think that it would be interesting to remake this film but it would have to be made by a top flight director I think
    7rdugrandbois

    A very Boy's Own Story

    OK so the script is mundane and the atmosphere is rather too pukha to be true, but I have no hesitation in recommending Above Us The Waves to all serious buffs out there. It's rather like a fanciful trip down memory lane into a bygone era that was very real to the actors but only a dream to us. The world in which public school educated Commanders strode up and down wharfs wearing immaculate stiff collars and Gieves and Hawkes tailored uniforms. The world in which a beaten enemy saluted their conquerors with trays of brandy and warm dry blankets. That's the real value of the film; it acts as a glimpse into that half forgotten world of sheer courage and decency that has long been lost in the senseless chase for mammon. When men gave their lives for honour and principal rather than offering their time for glamour and ego.

    And the film has its moments of well staged tension to keep us alert. John Gregson and James Kenney give memorable performances when a mine drifts dangerously close to their surfaced sub and they must fend it off with outstretched feet. Don't listen to the detractors on this one - grab a good cup of strong cocoa and allow your dreams to drift back in time.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Operation Source, the real life mission on which this film was based, was actually considered a failure in many respects. The Germans easily repaired the damage to Tirpitz. Historians William Garzke and Robert Dulin remarked that the successful repair effort was "one of the most notable feats of naval engineering during the Second World War."
    • Goofs
      The 100' Submarine Escape Training Tank in the early scenes wasn't built until 1954. Prior to this, it was a 15' tank.
    • Quotes

      Adm. Ryder: What the devil's that?

      Cmdr. Fraser: Proof sir.

      Adm. Ryder: Proof?

      Cmdr. Fraser: Yes sir. Those were dummy charges on the hull of this ship. If they hadn't been dummies, you'd be on the bottom now sir, for the duration.

    • Connections
      Featured in War Stories (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      The Skye Boat Song
      (uncredited)

      Traditional

      Arranged by Arthur Benjamin

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 26, 1956 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • Iznad nas su talasi
    • Filming locations
      • Fort Blockhouse, Gosport, UK(Filming emergency submarine escape.)
    • Production companies
      • J. Arthur Rank Organisation
      • London Independent Producers
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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