This is a story about a sea battle and the gallant heroism of both the British Navy and the German Captain Langsdorff. The theme is, while two nations were at war, individuals have much in common. The setting then involves the coastline of Uruguay and its people anticipating an end battle between the two belligerents while intrigue and strategy plays out between British naval attachés and Uruguay government officials. It's not a complete story but it throws light on military bravery away from the distant ugly Nazi ideology.

I really, truly enjoyed watching this film, which I hadn't ever heard of, except for references in To Sink the Bismark!. This, indeed, is what the Bismark! could have been. I see that some viewers didn't like it, and found the British officers standing around on the deck doing nothing boring. I thought it was amusing. What do you expect them to do on the open sea, hour after hour, day after day? What was great about this movie was that it was not predictable, not formulaic and jingoistic like Bismark! It was surprisingly modern in its values and acting, a bit like Three Kings. The weak spot was perhaps the portrayal of the South Americans in the background during the radio broadcasts, but I think this was intended to display the absurdity of the carnival atmosphere. Speaking of which, it reminded me strongly of the opening of Woody Allen's Bananans, where television is broadcasting live the assassination of a banana republic dictator, who was the only one not in on the secret. Could this be the inspiration?Apparently, the movie portrays the key players accurately, and there were seamen involved who were advisers to the film - I think including Capt. Dove.What makes this movie shine is the intriguing characters, most of all Captain Langsdorff. What was he thinking, what were his deep motives? Spoiler alert.The ending brings this into sharp contrast, though the movie's ending leaves things open, though the historical ending fills in this gap. We are left to ponder why he did what he did. I have my own theories, and I think that deep down, he did not want to return to Nazi Germany, and wanted to spare his crew from this.I strongly suggest watching this together with Bismark! They have similar themes. In the 50s and early 60s, part of British cinema was extremely conservative, politically and cinematically, and was way, way behind the times, creatively. Bismark! exemplifies that, and looks more like a 1942 movie than 1960. The British and American viewing office didn't complain. But from today's perspective, Bismark! was a missed opportunity at a great film, a potential demonstrated years earlier by the Graf Spee. Compared to the Graf Spee, Bismark! is hopelessly boring but good for you, much like oatmeal.I think Graf Spee holds up very well by modern standards of acting and directing. It is also a fitting memorial to Captain Langsdorff, who acted, in the end, honorably.

If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. If you ever are suffering from insomnia just throw this in the DVD player. This review is as entertaining as the movie.

I saw this film as a little boy when it came out in the 50's and thought it was great. I still think it is a good film by war film standards, but certainly not as strong as something like "The Cruel Sea" which is a more harder hitting adult film.The film sticks pretty much to the actual historical events and doesn't wander off the straight and narrow, which many war films sometimes do! The cast is like a who's who of all the well known British actors of the time, and they are all very competent and all work hard to keep their upper lips very stiff and correct.It is good to see that the Germans are dealt with sympathetically and not portrayed as 'villains', as sometimes happens if the film had been made purely in Hollywood.It is also good to see that real ships are used in the general shots, instead of models in a bath tub, and some of the camera shots of the battle are excellent.One very minor gripe is that in some of the shots of the "Graf Spee" the US Navy extras playing the 'German' sailors are still wearing US Navy uniforms! Oh dear! Ah well, it does not detract from what is overall a good film.