The Battle of the River Plate [Pursuit of the Graf Spee] *** (1956, John Gregson, Anthony Quayle, Peter Finch, Bernard Lee, Ian Hunter, Patrick Macnee, Christopher Lee, Barry Foster) – Classic Movie Review 5506

One of writer-producer-directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s final films together is this sturdy if surprisingly routine 1956 Second World War movie about the British Royal Navy’s pursuit and scuttling of the German pocket battleship Graf Spee (heavy cruiser) offshore at Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, at the start of the war in the 1939.

The movie is well made in documentary realist style and sharply photographed in colour and VistaVision by their genius regular cinematographer Christopher Challis. But, alas, there are none of the usual Powell and Pressburger baroque flourishes in the film making. There couldn’t be, it’s not that kind of film. The problem is, that realism just isn’t their flavour.

Perhaps miscast, or uncomfortable, that normally fine actor Finch gives a hollow performance as the good German skipper Captain Hans Langsdorff, admiral of the Graf Spee. Also, there are too many quivering stiff lips among the Brits: John Gregson as Captain Bell of H.M.S. Exeter, Anthony Quayle as Commodore Harwood of H.M.S. Ajax, and Ian Hunter as Captain Woodhouse of H.M.S. Ajax.

And for once the studio look starts to sink a Powell and Pressburger project. However, it is a good story and the authenticity is generally good, though it is slightly dented by the use of international code instead of naval code for the flag signals between two British naval vessels.

Also in the cast are Jack Gwillim, Lionel Murton, Anthony Bushell, Peter Illing, Patrick Macnee, Christopher Lee as Manolo (!), Barry Foster, John Chandos, Douglas Wilmer, William Squire, Roger Delgado, Vincent Ball and Andrew Cruickshank.

It is Foster’s debut. It was chosen for the Royal Film Performance in 1956.

Ill Met by Moonlight followed in 1957.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5506

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