UNDER TEN FLAGS is a deeply interesting Italian WW2 picture exploring naval combat in and around the Indian Ocean. It's notable insofar as not all of the Germans are presented as Nazis rabid for death and destruction, although they certainly are present in the cast. Instead, Van Heflin is cast well against type as the German captain of a warship who displays sympathy and courage in his dealings with the enemy; the one 'good German', perhaps.Films which present characters in shades of grey such as this rather than stark black and white always work better on a realistic level, and UNDER TEN FLAGS is well worth a look as a result. This is less an action picture than one exploring the morals of the situation and the effects of war on each of the opposing sides. There are some fine moments of dilemma and peril, and good twists to boot.For an Italian production, it has a remarkably international cast, with Charles Laughton fitting naturally into the part of the British admiral absolutely determined to bring down the German destroyer. Cecil Parker also gets his teeth into one of those meaty little roles that he always excelled as. UNDER TEN FLAGS is well worth a look for those who think they've seen all the WW2 movies under the Sun.

The previous review is correct, this is a poor film. However the lack of blood 'n' guts is based on fact. Atlantis was captained by Bernhard Rogge. The skipper of the British vessel, "City of Baghdad", which the Atlantis sunk in July of 1941, stated, "His treatment of prisoners left respect, instead of hatred." The Captain of the "City of Baghdad" was Captain J. Armstrong-White. He wrote the foreword in "Atlantis, The story of a German Surface Raider" written by U. Mohr & A.V. Sellwood.Rogge became a Vizeadmiral (vice-admiral) by the end of World War II, and eventually became a Konteradmiral (rear-admiral) of the West German Bundesmarine.Rogge also was one of the few German officers of flag rank who was not arrested by the Allies after the war. This was due to the way he had exercised his command of Atlantis.

Rarely seen like it's subject matter, a film whose story is well told and a world away from the child-like American war epics released later in that decade. The surface raider Atlantis was perhaps the most successful of it's type preying upon merchant shipping destined for Great Britain and her allies. The performances top-to-bottom are splendid although the silent scenes at the German Atlantic Naval Headquarters in Paris ratchet up the tension like little else on celluloid-more so because of it's being based on truth. Superior to naval films both those that came before and after it because it's story is so compelling, true and hardly known. There are no sides to be taken and yet one wishes both sides well in this game of naval chess. Indeed, the captain of the merchant ship Abdullah who -in war circumstances would be considered a hero- comes out as the only villain of the piece. That the Germans mostly all speak with American accents is forgotten easily in the action and minor characters are well-sketched by their players. There is none of the John Wayne -machismo and black and white simplicity that makes most war films loud but laughable but rather admiring the quiet professionalism of sailors at war- highly recommended, indeed !

This is truly a classic! It portrays war at sea, as a deadly game of hide and seek. Cause as much havoc and destruction, without being identified or located. In this movie, the enemy(the British) has no idea what kind of ship(s) or submarine(s)are sinking vital merchant ships. It is a raider ship,with a clever Captain that can change the appearance of his ship as quickly as changing clothes! Nationalities were no obstacle. It also showed that all German officers were not followers of Hitler. This one, in real life, went on to serve as a NATO naval officer. This ship's crew should have lots of war stories for the grandchildren.