Pursuit of the Graf Spee 1956

     This film was originally titled The Battle of the River Plate.  The Graf Spee is a German heavy cruiser also known as a pocket battleship.  During the fall of 1939 and in the first three months of WWII, this ship sank nine ships.  Commodore Henry Harwood commanded three British cruisers sent to confront the Spee.  They met to do battle on December 18, 1939 and the British were successful.  The Spee headed for the neutral harbor of Montevideo Uruguay.  Just two days were given for the Spee to make repairs and the British circulated the rumor that a British fleet of six or eight ships awaited the Spee outside the harbor.  Instead of confronting the British ships, the German captain ordered the ship to be scuttled to prevent the loss of the men.

     To be really involved and interested in this film, you may need to be a fan of boats and the sea or of WWII.?  I could not keep interested in this film.  Maybe there are too many technicalities?  2 ½* (This movie is so-so)

119 min, Action directed by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger with John Gregson, Anthony Quayle, Ian Hunter, Jack Gwillim, Bernard Lee, Lionel Murton, Anthony Bushell, Peter Illing, Michael Goodliffe, Patrick Macnee.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 80% critic 75% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 79 reviews.

Special Note:  Construction started on the Graf Spee October 1, 1932 and launched June 30, 1934.  The remains of the ship are located 4 miles off the coast and in waters of about 36 feet.  In 1997 one of the guns was raised to the surface and the ship was found to be in better condition than expected.  Permits were issued in Spring 2003 for recovery and salvage.  In June of 2013, a 6 foot bronze imperial eagle was brought to the surface.