

The Cruel Sea
At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer.
TMDB
6.9/10
85 votes
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- Status
- Released
- Budget
- —
- Box office
- —
- Language
- English
- sea
- submarine
- atlantic ocean
- world war ii
- naval officer
- commander
- royal navy
- black and white
- docudrama
- sinking ship
- naval warfare
- battle of the atlantic
Top billed cast


















Behind the camera
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
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Videos
Release dates
United StatesUS
- TheatricalNR24 Feb 1953
United KingdomGB
- TheatricalPG24 Feb 1953
FranceFR
- TheatricalU1 Jul 1953
GermanyDE
- Theatrical126 Nov 1953
NetherlandsNL
- PhysicalBlu ray13 Jun 2011
- PhysicalDVD9 Sept 2011
XCXC
- Theatrical14 Oct 1955
Frequently asked questions
The Cruel Sea was released on 24 February 1953.
Audience reviews
1- C7/10
CinemaSerf
8/23/2024
This has to be one of my favourite wartime adventures that really quite powerfully illustrates not only the perils of those sailing the Atlantic during the Second World War but the courage of the ordinary folks drafted in to man these tiny ships at the mercy of the weather and the U-boats. "Ericson" (Jack Hawkins) has been put in command of an convoy escort that's staffed by a rather obnoxious former used-car salesma…
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