Run Silent, Run Deep

1958's RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP is the sort of film critics like to call a "satisfying yarn."  I cannot think of a better phrase to describe this movie which is based on a novel by Navy Commander Edward L. Beach Jr.  A yarn is described as a "long and implausible story."  While neither is necessarily fair to describe it, it does feel that way overall.  Even if it all really happened. But the pacing is fine.  The technical aspects are said to be on point.  The equipment used to track targets and make bearing calculations (and how the crew navigates all of this) is depicted accurately.  The film is endorsed by the USN and, like many of its era, is patriotic and unfailingly earnest.   And a satisfying watch.

Commander Richardson (Clark Gable) is demoted to desk duty after losing a submarine in the Bungo Straits off Japan.  Three other ships follow.  But the Board allows Richardson to return to the sea under certain conditions.  This includes the employ of Lieutenant Commander Jim Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster), who has several successful missions under his belt.  Bledsoe is unhappy with this assignment, believing the command of the USS Nerka should be be his.  But he's as popular with the crew as Richardson is not.  Much of the movie features everyone sporting concerned and/or confused faces with every decision the elder Commander makes.  He is also deeply unpopular for the endless drills he puts them through, always attempting to shave a few seconds off a bow shot.

Richardson is also on a secret vendetta to return to the Bunco Straits and find "Bungo Pete", a Japanese destroyer captain.  This is against USN orders.  Bledsoe and the crew connect the dots and soon a MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY type drama unfolds.

Gable and Lancaster, at very different stages of their careers, are nicely matched and do solid work.  But of course they do.  Their anger never degenerates into melodrama.  The supporting cast includes interesting performances by Jack Warden and Don Rickles, in minor wise guy mode.  Robert Wise swiftly directs the mostly close quarters with a workman's eye, and that's just right.  Nothing in John Gay's screenplay ever really approaches the Shakespearean, and that's OK, too.  I like my meat and potatoes actioner WW2 dramas just like this, though never forget that they are merely neat and tidy programmers to make audiences feel good about manhood and service to one's country.  This is a guy's picture, one that may make a nice pre-show to something like THE DIRTY DOZEN or KELLY'S HEROES.   It's well shot by Russell Harlan. And I'm always game for a submarine drama.

It would be amusing if someone did an all female remake of RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP, having its soldiers whacking the derriere of a male pinup every time they walk by it, instead.  Even in these more PC times, that'd be a tough sell.