A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
During a routine patrol, a reporter is given permission to interview a hardened cold-war warrior and captain of the American destroyer USS Bedford. The reporter gets more than he bargained for when the Bedford discovers a Soviet sub and the captain begins a relentless pursuit, pushing his crew to breaking point.
Quick Stats
7.0
TMDB Rating
97
Votes
1h 42m
Runtime
—
Budget
—
Box Office
—
Return
Key Crew
DirectorJames B. Harris
WriterJames Poe
CinematographyGilbert Taylor
ComposerGerard Schurmann
EditorJohn Jympson
Production DesignArthur Lawson
Produced by
Bedford ProductionsColumbia Pictures
Where to Watch
Streaming
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Critics & Reviews
3 featured@celeste_writes
@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast

Richard Widmark
Captain Eric Finlander, U.S.N.

Sidney Poitier
Ben Munceford

James MacArthur
Ensign Ralston, U.S.N.

Martin Balsam
Lieut Cmdr. Chester Potter, M.D., U.S.N.

Wally Cox
Seaman Merlin Queffle

Eric Portman
Commodore Wolfgang Schrepke, Deutsche Marine

Michael Kane
Commander Allison Executive Officer - Bridge

Gary Cockrell
Lieutenant Bascombe U.S.N. - C.I.C.

Phil Brown
Chief Hospitalman Mckinley - Sick Bay

Brian Davies
Lieutenant Beckman U.S.N. - Communications

Paul Carson
Seaman 1st Class - Communications

Ed Bishop
Lieutenant Hacker U.S.N. - Communications

Colin Maitland
Seaman Jones - Bridge

Paul Tamarin
Seaman 2nd Class - Bridge
F
Frank Lieberman
Seaman 1st Class - Bridge






