Nice little gem of a movie dishing out suspense, thrills and drama using predator prey dynamics to capture the viewer's interest and hold it. We are taken aboard a military ship with a captain that has the power and never lets anyone forget it. Its not that he is mean but instead an on the edge leader that uses power and discipline to command a potent combination I might add and you will soon see. The crew apparently likes living on this edge with the Captain as explained in the film so pay attention to the dialogue. Making us sit-up and take notice is no less that three fine performances namely Richard Widmark, Sidney Pointer and Martin Balsam. None of them hold back when it is their turn and the supporting actors make it seem the necessary real to help us relate. At some point, the viewer believes they are on board this ship and involved in what is going on which is what fine movies should be doing. Look for a nice touch brought to us by a character who plays a German ex-sub commander giving feedback and input to the surface Captain (predator) which makes it as real as it can get. This guy knows what the sub Captain (prey) is thinking, feeling and wanting giving a supposed edge to the American Captain. One of the themes that play out is the question of how long can a crew stay at general quarters? A person can only maintain the highest alerts for only so long. We find out just how long that can be thus the drama in this movie. Good snack movie here with a tasty drink and the ending is classic in its bringing closure to the story in the most unusual way. The viewer is left to supply the details for themselves within seconds of the ending courtesy of the actors who actually deliver it and set it up that way. The Director drives home the point even more as you shall see. Enjoy the final few moments but before that, the set-up (movie)

*** This review may contain spoilers ***. More than a war film, this is a film about the psychology of people during a nuclear attack, based on the philosophy that the "defensive attack", speech that combines contradicting terms, to be effective, must be a preventive war, initiated under the belief that future conflict is inevitable, though not imminent. In this context, experts war, Russians and Americans, have calculated that full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two opposing sides would effectively result a winner but the destruction of both the attacker and the defender, called mutual assured destruction theory. In the earlier 1950s, this led to a period of enforced peace and the climate of witch-hunts of McCarthyism, led to an prejudicial anti-communism, leading to the Cold War. The American commander suffers from the so-called Red Scare, despite its good desire and patriotism.

Having served on a US Nuclear Cruiser in the late 80's and 90's, I can attest to the Captain Queeg personality. Richard Widmark as the captain brought back some interesting memories for me. As to the movie, my wife was not especially interested to seeing "just another war movie". But after she saw the end of this movie and the look on her face was priceless. One of the best endings to a movie that I have ever seen. I was stunned and my feelings were still deeply affected hours after watching. Sydney and Richard's portrayal of their characters really immersed you into the the feelings of that time in our history. A very well done movie. It is in my top 50 DVD's that I have.

The Cold War is one of the world's most frightening conflicts ever as it nearly extinguished humanity. During this time, suspicious nations rattled atomic sabers at one another and secret agencies scurried about disseminating Ideological propaganda and psychological warfare, but for the most part the only thing accomplished was that Americans spent billions threatening a distant enemy who ultimately became our friend. One exceptional film which appear during this era, was " The Bedford Incident." It is the story of an American reporter Ben Munceford (Sidney Poitier) who seeks out a controversial naval officer, because he believes him to be a rare individual. That particular man is Captain Eric Finlander. (Richard Widmark) a no-nonsense commander who is determined to do his duty, even if it means destroying a stray Russian Submarine, armed with nuclear missiles. While Munceford is trying to fathom the Captain, he notices everyone under Finlander's command is being subjected to increasing pressure, enormous stress and intolerable strain to remain on high alert as if war could be initiated at any time. From an audience point of view, the tension on board the Bedford, mirrors the terrifying state of fear in the world. Helping the audience analyze the situation is Lieut. Cmdr. Chester Potter (Martin Balsam) a naval Doctor who warns the Captain of mounting psychological dangers of his crew. One such officer is Ensign Ralston (James MacArthur) who the doctor warns is wound 'too tight' to be on duty. Another is Seaman Merlin Queffle (Wally Cox) who believes he controls the ship. This is a remarkable film, for it's characters, it's drama and eventually it's inevitable ending. It's a reminder, the fears we create are as real as our nightmares. ****