Submarine commander Ken White is forced to suddenly submerge, leaving his captain and another crew member to die outside the sub during WW II. Subsequent years of meaningless navy ground assignments and the animosity of a former sailor, leave White (now a captain) feeling guilty and empty. His life spirals downward and his wife is about to leave him. Suddenly, he is forced into a dangerous rescue situation at the start of the Koren War.... reassigned to the same submarine where all of his problems began.
Acting
Holden's jawline does more acting than most scripts.
Practical Effects
Real sub interiors—claustrophobia included, no extra charge.
Director
John Farrow
William Holden
Lt. Cmdr. Ken White
Nancy Olson
Carol
William Bendix
CPO Boyer
Don Taylor
Lt. Cmdr. Peter Morris
Arthur Franz
Lt. Arnie Carlson
Darryl Hickman
Ens. Jack Wheelwright
Peggy Webber
Mrs. Alice Rice
Moroni Olsen
Rear Adm. Joshua Rice
Jack Gregson
Cmdr. Joshua Rice
Jack Kelly
Lt. Paul Barton
Jerry Paris
Sgt. Gentry
Charles Meredith
Adm. Tobias
Philip Van Zandt
Gavin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during the actual Korean War, this was Paramount's attempt to process fresh trauma through familiar WWII tropes—audiences weren't ready.
Director John Farrow was a decorated Royal Canadian Navy officer who commanded submarines in WWI—Holden's panic was directed by someone who'd actually been there.
US
