This movie does not compare favourably to the fantastic "Silent Running", but it has at least one interesting scene. I like the shot of the life raft moving away from the sub as the sub makes a slow dive. I guess the raft part was shot on the movie set with rear projection of the sub diving in the background. Other than that, and some good special effects and explosions, this movie is full of unconvincing propaganda.
Doug
Toronto
Actually, what I thought was most interesting about this film was in how the African-American steward, Jones, was depicted.
In the film, the character is shown to be accepted as a friend and equal by other members of the crew. In fact, his best friend is the ranking CPO of the boat.
Then later, in the commando raid, Jones shows great valour in combat and even goes back to assist Power's character during their withdrawl.
I just thought for a film made in this era, when many films still had stereotypical depictions of African-Americans (i.e. Willie Best's manservant in The Ghost Breaksers), that this film had such a fully-dimensional portrayal of an African-American character.
I remember that. You're right. I meant visually. Hope you've seen Das Boot. Great sub movie.
Doug
Toronto
Absolutely spot on TorontoJediMaster. I made similar comments under Mr. Carter's profile. I like how you included items that I did not. Bonus, 2 of his lines are the only 2 given as funny quotes.
shareSadly, similar to his co-star, Mr. Carter left this world way before his time. I am referring to Tyrone. I saw the info on IMDB. I really miss posting on that site.
shareI don't think "era" has anything to do with it. Willie Best was hilariously funny in his portrayals in comedies, stereotyped as the roles were. Similarly, much, much later, Eddie Murphy got a great deal of comic mileage out portraying no less stereotypically the characteristics of an African prince in Coming To America. You really expect sombre, sober-sided "fully-dimensional portrayals" in a comedy?
shareDid anyone enjoy Ty's pal Don Ameche in "Trading Places", with Eddie Murphy decades later. That was a cool film as well.
sharePeople need to read up on some Hollywood history where black performers are concerned. Up through 1939 or so, almost all depictions of African-Americans in U.S.-made movies were comical and clownish. There were a few exceptions (e.g., the "Joshua" section in GREEN PASTURES,1936), but the easy jokes that could be derived from black stereotypes were too tempting for Hollywood filmmakers to ignore. In the late 1930s, however, pressure on the film production industry from civil rights activists of that era (e.g., the NAACP), as well as changing attitudes about racial discrimination in society generally and in some quarters of the Federal government, led to some new attitudes about African-Americans among filmmakers -- notably, the nomination and selection of Hattie McDaniel for Oscar's best supporting actress in 1940 (in 1939's GONE WITH THE WIND,of course).
The real change occurred in 1942, after the United States had entered World War II, and the federal Office of War Information (OWI), through its Bureau of Motion Pictures, began intense monitoring of the content of most major studio films made in the United States. Although the Bureau, run by "progressives" who favored an end to racial discrimination in the United States, had no official power to censor movies or force studios to change any content, the OWI did have the power to deny export licenses for movies that it deemed unsuitable -- i.e., that did not portray American society and culture in a good light. Thus, wartime filmmakers had an incentive to include African-American characters that avoided the caricatures of the '20 and '30s. "Oliver" in CRASH DIVE just barely crosses that border -- especially with his "born commando" line -- but Ben Carter is given other opportunities to portray Oliver as a real and believable person. From 1945 on, the old caricatures virtually disappeared from Hollywood movies.
Carter himself was an interesting civil rights pioneer in Hollywood. See http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/558086-Old-Old-Hollywood-Gossip-Part-II?p=22432366
True, Hattie's win was a milestone, "watershed" moment. I saw " Green Pastures" a few years ago. It was really good. The only goofy part was Noah asking about " the bedbugs and roaches" in regards to gathering the animals. That was definitely a "WTH" moment. It hit home since my apartment had recently treated for bedbugs.
"Silent Running" is a space movie with Bruce Dern.
Do you mean RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP with Burt Lancaster?
That's right. My mistake. Clark Gable too. One of the classic sub movies.
Ya know - I looked at that 'typo' three times before it sunk in.
total trivia - tyrone power does duty on a sub during ww2 in the eddy duchin story.
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"If you ever work in an office, look out for the fat cows."
Now I remember.
The story is based on the book of that name - "Silent Running". Haven't read the book. Heard a story on TV from a WW II vet that sounded similar to the plot in the movie. The book might have come off some of these real experiences. The writer might have been a sub commander.
If you are looking for a good comedy you could see "Cool Runnings" - the Jamaican bobsledders - with John Candy.
My accountant says, "1 + 1, 40% of the time, equals divorce".
Ray Fladeboe denies any of this ever happened.
Time is the only true purgatory.
The story is based on the book of that name - "Silent Running". Haven't read the book. Heard a story on TV from a WW II vet that sounded similar to the plot in the movie. The book might have come off some of these real experiences. The writer might have been a sub commander.