The Sea Shall Not Have Them

The Sea Shall Not Have Them is a 1954 British war film starring Michael Redgrave, Dirk Bogarde and Anthony Steel. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert and is based on the 1953 novel by John Harris, about a North Sea rescue during the Second World War. The musical soundtrack is by composer Malcolm Arnold. The film title is the motto of the Royal Air Force's Air Sea Rescue Service.

The Sea Shall Not Have Them
VHS movie cover
Directed byLewis Gilbert
Produced byDaniel M. Angel
Written byLewis Gilbert
Vernon Harris
based on the book by
John Harris
StarringMichael Redgrave
Dirk Bogarde
Anthony Steel
Nigel Patrick
Music byMalcolm Arnold
CinematographyStephen Dade
Edited byRussell Lloyd
Production
company
Angel Productions
Distributed byEros Films (UK)
United Artists (USA)
Release date
30 November 1954
Running time
91 min.
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Plot

It is the autumn of 1944. Allied armies are sweeping through France towards Germany. A British Lockheed Hudson has been damaged in aerial combat with a German Messerschmitt, with both aircraft ditching in the North Sea, twenty miles off the Dutch coast. The four crew from the British aircraft are unable to send a complete mayday alert, although a signal fragment reaches England. Among them is Air Commodore Waltby (Michael Redgrave) who has a briefcase containing secret German plans related to rocketry. Flight Sergeant Mackay (Dirk Bogarde) assumes a leading role in the rescue dinghy, tying everyone together to prevent anyone falling overboard, and sharing his boots with the pilot despite the cold. As the weather closes in and a freezing cold night descends, aircraft suspend their search, leaving the now waterlogged dinghy to face the sea alone. Cryptically, Waltby orders the crew members that if he dies, they must get the briefcase to London or throw it overboard should they face capture.

An RAF Air Sea Rescue sea launch is deployed to the search. Commanded by Flying Officer Treherne (Anthony Steel), Launch 2561, or "Sixty One" in radio signals, struggles against the bad weather, mechanical problems and a fire in the galley. Second in command, Flight Sergeant Singsby (Nigel Patrick) dominates the crew, playing a benevolent but demanding hand with the questionable seamanship of junior ranks. On the second day, updated intelligence about the dinghy's likely location is received from the downed German Messerschmitt pilot, who the RAF has since rescued. RAF Air Sea Rescue is now aware the dinghy has drifted inshore, far from its ditching point. As the weather clears, "Sixty One" sights the dinghy and approaches for rescue, negotiating fire from enemy shore batteries and a mine field. Launch 2561 safely returns to England where the briefcase with secret documents is delivered. An injured Flying Officer Treherne and Flight Sergeant Mackay are applauded by senior officers.

Cast

Notes

Referring to the film's title, Noël Coward said of the film's two male stars, "I don't see why not. Everyone else has."[1] Redgrave was reportedly bisexual, while Bogarde was homosexual.[1]

The film was shot in Riverside Studios, and Felixstowe, Suffolk.[2]

References
  1. The Guardian: Sexy self-image that revved up Dirk Bogarde
  2. A. H. Weiler (13 June 1954). "By Way of Report: Disney Cameramen to Go to Far Places For New Nature Studies -- Addenda". The New York Times.
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