In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Film Review: "The Enemy Below" (1957)Before "U-571" (2000), "The Hunt For Red October" (1990) and "Das Boot" (1981) comes a submarine action thriller gem, surprisingly as perfectly put into scene by Actor becoming Director Dick Powell (1904-1963) in Season 1956/1957 for 20th Century Fox Studios with Hollywood Star Robert Mitchum (1917-1997), portraying Capt. Murrell of a U.S. destroyer criss-crossing in the Atlantic, who confronts Submarine Capt. Von Stolberg, performed with tense-looks by Curd Jürgens (1915-1982). Together they created a cat-and-mouse play within the depth of the deep blue-to-green sea as well as above sea-levels with steady-as-she-goes technicolor cinematography and in-camera special effects, which at today's standards are refreshing, receivable due to a digital overkill of recent years. The 90-minute-format gives a quality example that it does not need fast-cutting, blitz-dialogue and camera flights to create suspense and encounter a worthy showdown toward character-balancing conclusions.© 2017 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC)

Scripted by Wendell Mayes, based on the novel by Commander D.A. Rayner, "The Enemy Below" is a top notch film starring Robert Mitchum as Captain Murrell, commanding officer of an American destroyer, and Curd Jurgens, as Von Stolberg, who's in charge of a German U- Boat. The two ships encounter each other at sea, and go through a series of manoeuvres and out-manoeuvres.Actor Dick Powell made his directing debut with "The Enemy Below", and it works so well for a couple of reasons. First, due to the cooperation of the Navy, it feels completely authentic, with the actors capably acquitting themselves in their roles. Also, Powell proves to be a real master at creating some genuine tension and excitement. The special effects, which won the Oscar for that year, are truly impressive. The most important elements are the fact that what we are seeing is a chess game of sorts between two very experienced and savvy military men, each trying to predict the others' moves and act accordingly. When all is said and done, you realize that Von Stolberg and his men are portrayed in a rather even handed manner. They're not bogeymen, but men just out there doing a job. They just happen to be on the other side. Von Stolberg even expresses his doubts about the entire WWII conflict.Mitchum and Jurgens are both excellent, and receive sturdy support from some well chosen players: David Hedison, Theodore Bikel, Russell Collins, Kurt Kreuger, Frank Albertson, Biff Elliot, Arthur La Ral, Doug McClure, Gordon Mitchell. Legendary studio head Darryl F. Zanuck has an uncredited bit as a chief.Rousing music, by Leigh Harline, and superb widescreen photography help to make this a solid entertainment with a message: having respect for ones' enemy.Eight out of 10.

The South Atlantic during World War 2. The US destroyer USS Haynes spots and engages a German U-boat. The U-boat is commanded by Captain Von Stolberg (played by Curd Jurgens), a wily veteran U-boat commander. The captain of the Haynes is Lt Commander Murrell (Robert Mitchum), a Naval Reserve officer who was previously in the merchant marine. Because of this background, some of his crew doubt his abilities. he soon proves them wrong and a battle of wits ensues between the two adversaries. Great WW2 naval drama. Pretty good portrayal of submarine and anti- submarine warfare. Suspenseful and engaging. Also shows a good balance between the US and German sides.Great performances from Robert Mitchum, as the US captain, and Curd Jurgens, as the German captain. Good supporting cast too.

During World War II, an American destroyer meets a German U-Boat. Both captains are good ones, and the engagement lasts for a considerable time.Interesting note: The 1966 Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror" is closely based on this film, with the USS Enterprise cast as the destroyer and the Romulan vessel, using a cloaking device, as the U-boat. It is reported that Gene Roddenberry later paid a fee to the estate of Gary Cooper, who owned the rights to the film.I enjoyed this film for what it is, but it tends to be the standard war film, which is not my favorite genre. That is my fault, not the fault of the film. I love them picking up singing and dancing on their monitors, and I appreciate Robert Mitchum for pretty much anything he does.