The Silent Enemy (1958)

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In the Mediterranean in 1941 the Italians start using underwater chariots to mine the undersides of allied ships. Explosives expert Lionel Crabbe arrives in Gibraltar to organise defenses, ... See full summary »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Dawn Addams ...
Third Officer Jill Masters, W.R.N.S.
Michael Craig ...
Leading Seaman Sid Knowles
John Clements ...
The Admiral
Sidney James ...
Chief Petty Officer Thorpe
...
Able Seaman Morgan
...
Able Seaman Fraser
Ian Whittaker ...
Ordinary Seaman Thomas
...
Tomolino (as Arnoldo Foa)
Gianna Maria Canale ...
Conchita
Massimo Serato ...
Forzellini
Giacomo Rossi Stuart ...
Rosati (as Giacomo Rossi-Stuart)
Carlo Giustini ...
Fellini (as Carlo Justini)
Raymond Young ...
Celloni
David Lodge ...
Sergeant
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Storyline

In the Mediterranean in 1941 the Italians start using underwater chariots to mine the undersides of allied ships. Explosives expert Lionel Crabbe arrives in Gibraltar to organise defenses, but finds only two British divers available to help him. Even more worrying, it seems likely that the Italians are secretly using neutral Spain across the bay as their key base. Written by Jeremy Perkins <jwp@aber.ac.uk>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis


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Release Date:

4 March 1958 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

Froschmann Crabb  »

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(Westrex Recording System)
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie went into production about a year after the much publicized disappearance of the movie's real life lead character, Lionel "Buster" Crabb OBE, GM (born 28 January 1909). Lionel Crabb was presumed dead on 19 April 1956 due to an alleged encounter from the Cold War. See more »

Goofs

When the three chariots are making their way underwater there is appropriate engine noise but none of the propellers are rotating. See more »

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User Reviews

 
A fantastic blend of history and adventure
29 July 2001 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

A superb wartime adventure, the Silent Enemy is the true story of Lieutenant Crabbe, a Royal Navy bomb and mine disposal officer sent to Gibraltar on a urgent mission to undo damage being inflicted on the fleet by sly Italian frogmen led by a brilliant underwater engineer. Though he has never dived before Crabbe takes to the underwater world like a fish, and with the help of a plucky NCO and dedicated but tiny band of men turns back the hidden menace. Crabbe and his courageous crew ultimately stop the Italian 10th Flotilla divers from turning the tide of the war.

Characters and acting are sharp. Cinematography and staging on land and especially underwater are very good. Writing is great too. The military historical significance is that these underwater demolition techniques and technologies are the precursors of modern Navy SEALs, Special Boat Squads, etc. The movie significance is that the characters and plot elements foreshadow every James Bond and action movie that's ever had frogmen, underwater fight scenes, secret ships, mini-subs, or stealty sub-surface saboteurs. Being drawn from real life, I found The Silent Enemy even more compelling.


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