I remember watching this with my dad, a US Navy WW2 vet, in the 1970’s. He really liked this film and the British sailors he met in the pacific during the war. He thought well of them. He said “They were good kids.” He was young but he said the British sailors mostly seemed even younger, at least the ones he encountered.
Bernard Miles is wonderful in this film. What a lovely accent he had. The scene where John Mills (Shorty) tells him that his wife had been killed is so moving. Superb acting from both of them.
HMS Kelly (HMS Torrin in this film) was a K-Class destroyer of the British Royal Navy, her pennant number was F01. You cannot and should not apply 21st century values to the mid 20th century, times were different then as our times will be different 75 years from now. I come from a proud military background and it is something I am not ashamed of.
My family has been in the military for generations and I've noticed over and over civilians and their families do not have same perspective we do and many the differences clash.
@@jolie1327 Unfortunately : US President Reagan has said "Freedom is always One generation from extinction." When the new generation of young know-whatever-it-all, or who think they do, come of age they turn in derision what their parents, fathers and brothers, mothers and sisters did for them. Because they have been told by the new teachers (like the Beatles & Bertrand Russell) of the new values of peace & love at whatever price, who deny that in this world there are tigers, or predatory beasts (Hitler's favorite pets), and that you just have to love your neighbour and he will love you in return. Just picture an encounter between Polpot & Gandhi, or between a lamb and a wolf. George Orwell said that if at night people can sleep soundly without fear of men of violence, it is because other men of violence keep guard against the former. And the shepherd dog never said to the wolf : "Peace my brother, I love you, help yourself to this dainty morsel of a lamb under my guard !" Dame Rebecca West, although socialist-leaning, never had any illusion about the benevolence of the predators of whatever color. ("The Meaning of Treason" 1949 & "The New Meaning Of Treason" 1964)
I agree with the need for vigilance, memory, and readiness. By the way, the Spanish socialists fought a good war to keep their democracy alive during the Spanish Civil War when the Spanish fascists fought successfully to over turn the democratic elections. Franco, the Spanish fascist leader had military support including German pilots in German planes from Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. It took fascist help to defeat the fiercely fighting and determined socialists defending democracy. Another by the way is this, socialism is always a blend of private and public, which is exactly what most European countries and North American countries have now. Social Security, Medicare, public highways, public hospitals for those who need them. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc.
John Mills is truly one of the greatest actors to have ever been on screen. I cannot think of anyone who had his ability to connect with the audience in such a natural acting style as Sir John.
He was one of the very few British stars of hìs time who could play an aristo, a working man or a middle class professional type with equal conviction. To think his only Oscar was for the Oirish village idiot in 'Ryan's Daughter'.
My dad was ex-RN (1946 - 1957) and this used to be our favourite movie to watch together. We both knew it was bunkum in certain ways, but we enjoyed it! Whenever we saw each other, within minutes one of us would ask "What is the Torrin?" and the other would have to reel-off: "a happy and an efficient ship"!
I came here as it is one of the questions from the "life in the UK" test. This film is so important that one has to know it to become a British Citizen - I think it is the right decision.
Say what you want about propaganda and all that, but let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that if a movie like this were made today it would be a CGI light show and filled with today's propaganda instead of 1942's propaganda. In this movie we get to see actual wartime footage of real ship types that don't exist for us to see IRL today, and even a real flying Ju-88 that they captured and used in the filming. You also get a good idea of what it's like to fight on board a WWII destroyer seeing things like how the ammo hoists work, and the interesting advantages and disadvantages of an open bridge during the battle scenes (good visibility, and situational awareness vs aircraft attacking from above but exposed to bad weather). They demonstrate tactics such as turning away from attacking aircraft (better field of fire for the Pom-Pom on a K Class Destroyer) and how they used the ship's horn to alert the AAA gunners that they were about to start an evasive turn so the gunners can brace themselves since ships roll during hard turns. That kind of attention to detail is not something you would get in a modern movie and was only there because the film was made during the war in cooperation with the real Navy. Even just for that this film is a gem.
Mervyn is right. These are the men (and women) to whom we owe our lives and our freedom. At the time this was made, many of them, like my own father, wanted to see themselves on the big screen portrayed as heroes... because they were. It may all look dated now but this wasn't made to appeal, necessarily, to our generation. There were much quieter heroes in WWI too. None of them are still alive now. But they fought for us and died for us and deserve our special respect. 'Joseph Goebel' (unless that's your real name) is an insult to their memory. You won't be, but you should be, ashamed of yourself.
phenomenal movie, i clicked on it as an afterthought, struggled with it and its skipping around but by the end realized id seen a movie that did everything that modern movies do not, scenes that left me in tears, even knowing the film was tilted to foment anger (repeated strafing of the carley float, the bombings etc) ive saved this one, will be enjoying it again. GREAT film, thanks for posting it!
The “grit” that the common English people had always amazed me. During the blitz, they rose up to the demands put on them. The mother, the grandmother, the old people who have never raised their fist in anger. They all rose up to defeat an enemy that was threatening their existence. Simply amazing.
...In the 1960s, My elementary school buddy had a Mother who was a "WW2 war bride"originally from London having married his WW2 Father. I recall the Mother bringing over the Grandmother to live with them (our neighbors) here in the US. As a boy this I was meeting a Grandmother who knew the old Great Britain before the 1900s. Over tea and crumpets they talked about the War(s) and the Bombing of London. Looking back it was an amazing experience knowing their sacrifice. This movie brought back many memories.
If you enjoyed this movie I would recommend "Glory at Sea" (1953) with Trevor Howard. The movie was also called "The Gift Horse" in America. Excellent story line with incredible acting. A real British Gem!
My grandpa and Grandma worked in the BROOKLYN Navy yard during WW2 ...GRANDPA WAS A WELDER. .I BELIEVE GRANDMA WAS A RIVETER...LOVE AND MISS THEM BOTH..ONE OF MY FAVORITE WW2 FILMS.
What a privilege and a source of pride to have been part of the assembly of sheets of metal into a complete floating machine, home (and coffin) to so many people.
The character who deserted his post, the actor did not want to be credited in the film because he didn't want people to be encouraged to run away and felt ashamed by his character. That young actor was none other than legendary film actor Richard Attenborough.
Great Patriotic War film, Love the British war film from the 40s till 1960 Bismark - they do them so well. Haven't seen this film in over 20yrs ! Thanks good stuff ! Semper Fi
May I say as a World War II Anahuac/enthusiast not in a morbid way 😐 But this film is more realistic in many ways than most people would believe great stuff least we forget least we forget🏴🇬🇧🏴
A film watched many times in our family over the years. Celia Johnson's speech at 38:30 in her role as Alex (the Captain's wife and Lady Mayoress) on behalf of 'all wretched naval wives' is one of the great sea related speeches. My grandmother and her mother (both wretched naval wives) would demand absolute silence as Alex warned 'Dear Marie' of a naval wife's 'permanent and undefeated rival'- her husband's ship.
My dad who has now passed long gone was also ex RN motor mechanic 1941 to 1946 five years, started his service at Chatham barracks 3 yrs just missed out on Normandy so he latter found out, July 44 sent out to Alexandra and saw out the war there Feb 46, and many a sailor said to him wow what a cushy job you got land side 3 hot meals and possibly a bunk bed for a PO, I remember him telling me they had an air raid scare on the way out passing near Malta his transport ship in the convoy luckly was not hit. this was all after El Alamein, alex at this time just had the odd air raid scare, cushy job. but what is incredible here is the facts and photos show my father joined at 18 volunteered before the draft as he didnt want the army, LS at 21 PO at 22, when he got back to England Feb 46 they asked him to sign on again with the promise of CPO in a year or two, he declined, like just everyone else he had enough of war but was proud of his service though never serving on a ship, IN WHICH WE SERVE a great movie, about being proud to serve and the human spirit, thanks for showing
*THX* ampopfilms for this unusual film plot structure "blending" a somewhat unique probe of the deeply personal aspects impacting both the family _and_ battle-hardened dangers of war = Definitively English. 👌 The short segments of Hitler's 'Battle of Britain' barrage were as moving as the shipmates relationships at sea.... A Great Cast throughout, where under David Lean's co-direction, wonderful Noel Coward, John Mills, James Donald, Michael Wilding, et al, brought this intimate story to "tangibly" Meaningful Life......
4:52 It has been about 18 years since I last heard those words of command when I was a Sea Cadet. Ships' Company, *HO!* Turning Aft, Right and Left *TURN!*
27:00 - 27:56 - The captain is based on Lord Louis Mountbatten, who could remember men who'd served under him even if it had been years earlier - as Celia Johnson says in the film, a naval wife will always have 'a rival' in her husband's ship. And his saying that a ship can't be happy unless she's efficient, and can't be efficient unless she's happy, comes almost verbatim from a speech that Coward heard Mountbatten give to his crew.
I've watched this film on TV a couple time and liked it enough I bought a DVD of it. Definitely the "stiff upper lip" Navy flick...great movie. I do wish the quality of the video was better
I can't thank you enough for uploading this movie, one of my favorites. I'm having to severely downsize & that means getting rid of my VHS tapes. Any online versions of them that I can find are a blessing.
Thanks for having this movie. Bear in mind negative commentaries are coming from those who only are alive with a freedom of speech because of people like those seen in the film. Being in 1942 in a World War the mindset of people was very different. An advantage of the Commonwealth System with a figurative Crown is it retained the concept of loyalty, culture and history. In 1942 USA was still just recent to the war having had the population (not leadership) strive hard to just let the Nazis do what they wanted in Europe though they were denying Japan oil etc that was part of the "hidden provocations" for the Pearl Harbour attack. The film itself is a bit hard to follow due to the massive amount of flashbacks. The content for naval life, ships, preparations and so on has generally been credited with accuracy. Modern viewers can look back on this as how people were and what they needed to do to keep the way of life the modern people take for granted.
Tell that nonsense to the people the British and their commonwealth cronies conquered, looted and stole their wealth from. As for the US, they watched in disgust as your prime minister went to Germany and appeased the Nazis instead of opposing them. They weren't part of your damn empire and so they didn't have to declare war just because Britain did.
@@kwd3109 Well plenty of CW nationals fought in the War including Indian and African troops. As to the the US..well as i understand the German and plastic Irish communities (or some ar least) were not in favour of getting involved given their Anglophobia. Whilst Chamberlain was mistaken, given British losses in WW1 it was understandable why many wanted to avoid another war - if US WW1 losses had been equivalent to UK, would have amounted to 2.7m dead
my uncle was on a sloop in ww2 and one story he told me was that they were ordered to see if they could pick up a bomber crew in the finistere area, which they did but were attacked by 3 german planes of which they hit 1 and as it slewed away in distress the other 2 buggered off; they recieved a congratulatory message for the rescue, so the crew raffled the signal the cook won it ;
I remember my old dad commenting on this film. The part at 26:46 with the captain picking out men who served under him, referring to them as "shipmates" and knowing their names made him laugh as every officer he came in contact with wouldn`t give ratings the time of day and treated them like something they`d scrape of their shoes.
My favourite war film, made when everything was still up for grabs. The aspirational Briton represented well. And I'm biased as Kay Walsh was my cousin.
I had a drink with Hayley, at a highwaymen concert here in Sydney, back in the early 1990's. To think that the baby, in this movie was her older sister Juliet Mills.
We sure do, especially when one thinks about WWI. We peasants can thank the inbreds that have enslaved humanity for what seems like forever. What fools we are.
Damn right we do , they fought against Jerry with old equipment , less of it , and did a bang up job . The whole British Navy , from the Motor Patrol Torpedo Boats to the heavy cruisers , did their very best .
I knew an old soldier - a Scotsman - by the name of Bob McMannus, who was in the movie "In Which We Serve' as an extra. He said he was required to put a stone in his shoe to give him a believable limp in the scenes that included him. I vaguely remember him saying there was one particular scene in which they were on a beach.
Can't help but feel that Leslie Howard's rousing final voice over diminishes the punch of the ending- it should have stayed with that last frame: the men drifting away, and sunlight streaming in through the doorway of the empty warehouse. The world moves imperceptibly on, while the last vestiges of the ship's spirit float away like dust motes in the shafts of sunlight. It's an immensely powerful moment.
This movie is obviously dated to our eyes - even mine who grew up in that kind of world. The class divide, the stereotyped portrayals. However, this portrays a terrible time, and does it very well. The scene in the house that is being blitzed was very scary, and made me realize what my own family went through in London - just waiting to be hit. As for Noel Coward. His portrayal of the captain was masterful. The first time I saw this movie I thought that the Royal Navy should use it as a training film for all wannabee officers. A captain like that you would fight for and die for if necessary.
@@sillyone52062 The 'umlaut' dots were sometimes used in other languages to indicate the elision of a couple of letters in spelling a word (eg. "haïr" in French is a contraction of "hai" and "ir", and they'repronounced separately). The French "noël" would, similarly, be spoken as a two-parter but It's not clear if Coward would have wanted his christian name to be pronounced to match the French spelling, whatever the tie-in with the Christmas song. Most people wouldn't say "no-wel" as in the carol: they'd go for "nole".
You get better visibility on an open bridge, very important on a warship. Although bridges are closed now, there are still watch keepers using the mark 1 eyeball.
It was interesting how the commanders of these Destroyers bravely fought their ships from an open bridge. I imagine it served to give them exceptionally good situational awareness to what was ahead and to the sides of the ship. Capital ships were fought from within a well armored citadel.
The destroyer captains had mad courage. Take for example, HMS Glowworm. The two destroyers that were covering HMS Glorious. The U.S. captains at Samar. Incredible courage.
@@sillyone52062 Did those destroyer sailors lost in the "Glorious" debacle get any official recognition for the fight they put up, I believe the Germans saluted them.
Not sure why you feel Coward is pompous. I didn't think he was at all. In fact, he's rather modest and giving in his role here, particularly to his men whose safety he obviously held above his own. Do you mean 'cultured', as Coward was known to be, rather than pompous, which is a very negative characteristic?
British? Welsh, Scots, Irish, English..plus of course post war though little known, all the laundry was done by ppl from Hong Kong on larger RN vessels
Using the comment of Stephen Reeds 4 weeks ago I understood that I am not alone, though I am very far from this war and English customs. I say it in my way. According to material about the UK, this film= ,, During the Second World War, British movies (for example, In Which We Serve) played an important part in boosting morale.'' I don't understand, why the director Noël Coward couldn't change his family name? if his name were Pig, would he still not do anything about that? Never mind the name. These actors in the film are nice and have very clear pronunciation. They look good. Many have this nice old accent of higher classes, which I like. And the pictures of the time are there. Only why do these actors often talk here in such a mannerism, as if they give a concert for Her Majesty the Queen? Their accent is not exactly like that singing accent of older times , which was with such a singing intonation, but still, it's close. They talk as if Queen Victoria is still alive. Their smiles are sweet. As for taking pictures. I see it like this, so I express my vision. The war is on but I can't see it on the faces of the actors, not that they should constantly cry but still their happy expressions are not to the point of the war.
I have seen this film many times and have just noticed that the character played by Noel Coward is the wrong rank for the size of the ship, he should have been a Commander.
The film is based on a real ship, HMS Kelly, whose CO was a full Captain, Lord Louis Mountbatten. Destroyer captains usually were younger and more junior I agree.
@@gordonhoran4373 In this instance the Captain (D) is a full Captain, but the position of Captain (D) could be and often was filled by an officer who had the substantive rank of Commander. Of course the CO is always referred to as Captain by courtesy. To the crew he is, by immemorial custom, known as The Owner!
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I remember watching this with my dad, a US Navy WW2 vet, in the 1970’s. He really liked this film and the British sailors he met in the pacific during the war. He thought well of them. He said “They were good kids.” He was young but he said the British sailors mostly seemed even younger, at least the ones he encountered.
It's one of best films dedicated to the Royal Navy. Reminds me of my grandfather who for the duration of ww2 served and survived in the R.N.🇬🇧
Great movie,great actors,will never see movies like this again.
“I refuse to be made sentimental during a Great Western Lunch!”
Is probably one of my fav rite lines ever.
God Bless all Lifeboat Rescue Crews. They are a much forgotten Naval Service.
Look at them now? Taxi service for immigrants. No more donations from me ever.
lifeboat crews are nothing to do with the navy
I spent 21 years in the United States Navy, Retired as Chief Torpeoman (Submarines). I love this movie thank you for bringing it to us.
The US Navy a class act. 🇺🇸🤝🇬🇧
Good on ya Yank.
God bless you all. Pip pip
Bernard Miles is wonderful in this film. What a lovely accent he had. The scene where John Mills (Shorty) tells him that his wife had been killed is so moving. Superb acting from both of them.
Watched 'The Cruel Sea' this afternoon, incredible film
This makes a great double feature.
HMS Kelly (HMS Torrin in this film) was a K-Class destroyer of the British Royal Navy, her pennant number was F01. You cannot and should not apply 21st century values to the mid 20th century, times were different then as our times will be different 75 years from now. I come from a proud military background and it is something I am not ashamed of.
My family has been in the military for generations and I've noticed over and over civilians and their families do not have same perspective we do and many the differences clash.
My complements kind sir. I to have served and have been in harms way. So was my father and his brother in WWII.
@@jolie1327
Unfortunately : US President Reagan has said
"Freedom is always One generation from extinction."
When the new generation of young know-whatever-it-all, or who think they do, come of age they turn in derision what their parents, fathers and brothers, mothers and sisters did for them.
Because they have been told by the new teachers (like the Beatles & Bertrand Russell) of the new values of peace & love at whatever price,
who deny that in this world there are tigers,
or predatory beasts (Hitler's favorite pets),
and that you just have to love your neighbour and he will love you in return.
Just picture an encounter
between Polpot & Gandhi,
or between a lamb and a wolf.
George Orwell said that
if at night people can sleep soundly without fear of men of violence,
it is because other men of violence keep guard against the former.
And the shepherd dog never said to the wolf :
"Peace my brother, I love you, help yourself to this dainty morsel of a lamb under my guard !"
Dame Rebecca West, although socialist-leaning, never had any illusion about the benevolence of the predators of whatever color.
("The Meaning of Treason" 1949 & "The New Meaning Of Treason" 1964)
@@johngsteel GOD BLESS Them For Their Service.
I agree with the need for vigilance, memory, and readiness. By the way, the Spanish socialists fought a good war to keep their democracy alive during the Spanish Civil War when the Spanish fascists fought successfully to over turn the democratic elections. Franco, the Spanish fascist leader had military support including German pilots in German planes from Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. It took fascist help to defeat the fiercely fighting and determined socialists defending democracy. Another by the way is this, socialism is always a blend of private and public, which is exactly what most European countries and North American countries have now. Social Security, Medicare, public highways, public hospitals for those who need them. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc.
I would follow this captain anywhere. I've watched this film for years, and it keeps getting better.
He was based on Lord Louis Mountbatten a great sailor indeed.
It’s amazing watching these films that was made 80 years ago
Have loved this movie since I saw it for the first time on the afternoon movie when I was a kid back in the 70's
John Mills is truly one of the greatest actors to have ever been on screen. I cannot think of anyone who had his ability to connect with the audience in such a natural acting style as Sir John.
He could play the captain or the able seaman with equal skill.
@@benters3509 Oh yes, I found this gem on RUclips: ruclips.net/video/Xojbg_zVnyo/видео.html A classic!
Hobson’s choice
He was one of the very few British stars of hìs time who could play an aristo, a working man or a middle class professional type with equal conviction. To think his only Oscar was for the Oirish village idiot in 'Ryan's Daughter'.
Yes there is just something special about him I’ve always thought that 👌
My dad was ex-RN (1946 - 1957) and this used to be our favourite movie to watch together. We both knew it was bunkum in certain ways, but we enjoyed it! Whenever we saw each other, within minutes one of us would ask "What is the Torrin?" and the other would have to reel-off: "a happy and an efficient ship"!
My grandfather served 1913 to 1948. The senior service, God Bless Them
Matt Davies, you are lucky to have your Dad and a beautiful memory.
I came here as it is one of the questions from the "life in the UK" test. This film is so important that one has to know it to become a British Citizen - I think it is the right decision.
Thanks for the great films it’s appreciated…..
Say what you want about propaganda and all that, but let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that if a movie like this were made today it would be a CGI light show and filled with today's propaganda instead of 1942's propaganda. In this movie we get to see actual wartime footage of real ship types that don't exist for us to see IRL today, and even a real flying Ju-88 that they captured and used in the filming. You also get a good idea of what it's like to fight on board a WWII destroyer seeing things like how the ammo hoists work, and the interesting advantages and disadvantages of an open bridge during the battle scenes (good visibility, and situational awareness vs aircraft attacking from above but exposed to bad weather). They demonstrate tactics such as turning away from attacking aircraft (better field of fire for the Pom-Pom on a K Class Destroyer) and how they used the ship's horn to alert the AAA gunners that they were about to start an evasive turn so the gunners can brace themselves since ships roll during hard turns. That kind of attention to detail is not something you would get in a modern movie and was only there because the film was made during the war in cooperation with the real Navy. Even just for that this film is a gem.
It's only propaganda if you lose. If you won it was an inspirational and patriotic film.
It wouldn’t get made today. It would upset some poor little snowflake.
A movie like this wouldn’t be made as it would upset wokes
@@MarlboroughBlenheim1 I agree with you.
@@Bill23799 well there is no reference to Trans anywhere ? Or the obligatory 2 fella's of colour any place..
Mervyn is right. These are the men (and women) to whom we owe our lives and our freedom. At the time this was made, many of them, like my own father, wanted to see themselves on the big screen portrayed as heroes... because they were. It may all look dated now but this wasn't made to appeal, necessarily, to our generation. There were much quieter heroes in WWI too. None of them are still alive now. But they fought for us and died for us and deserve our special respect. 'Joseph Goebel' (unless that's your real name) is an insult to their memory. You won't be, but you should be, ashamed of yourself.
+Michael Paul Smith Well said.
phenomenal movie, i clicked on it as an afterthought, struggled with it and its skipping around but by the end realized id seen a movie that did everything that modern movies do not, scenes that left me in tears, even knowing the film was tilted to foment anger (repeated strafing of the carley float, the bombings etc) ive saved this one, will be enjoying it again. GREAT film, thanks for posting it!
The “grit” that the common English people had always amazed me. During the blitz, they rose up to the demands put on them. The mother, the grandmother, the old people who have never raised their fist in anger. They all rose up to defeat an enemy that was threatening their existence. Simply amazing.
So very true,,,
Beautifully said Sir ✌🏻🇬🇧
I assume you mean British
How many could do it now I wonder.
God bless them all.
Took until 8:32 until the first cup of tea appeared. Such sacrifice. The heroism starts early in this one .
So happy I've just found this from a quote in oxenfree. Definitely going to watch this when I have time
...In the 1960s, My elementary school buddy had a Mother who was a "WW2 war bride"originally from London having married his WW2 Father. I recall the Mother bringing over the Grandmother to live with them (our neighbors) here in the US. As a boy this I was meeting a Grandmother who knew the old Great Britain before the 1900s. Over tea and crumpets they talked about the War(s) and the Bombing of London. Looking back it was an amazing experience knowing their sacrifice. This movie brought back many memories.
If you enjoyed this movie I would recommend "Glory at Sea" (1953) with Trevor Howard. The movie was also called "The Gift Horse" in America. Excellent story line with incredible acting. A real British Gem!
Sir Richard Attenborough's first acting role, at the tender age of 19. But I notice he was omitted from the credits.
My grandpa and Grandma worked in the BROOKLYN Navy yard during WW2 ...GRANDPA WAS A WELDER. .I BELIEVE GRANDMA WAS A RIVETER...LOVE AND MISS THEM BOTH..ONE OF MY FAVORITE WW2 FILMS.
What a privilege and a source of pride to have been part of the assembly of sheets of metal into a complete floating machine, home (and coffin) to so many people.
The character who deserted his post, the actor did not want to be credited in the film because he didn't want people to be encouraged to run away and felt ashamed by his character. That young actor was none other than legendary film actor Richard Attenborough.
And I have a sneaky hunch that Richard was pulling double duty as one of the rescued soldiers at 1:22:06
@@sillyone52062 don't see it mate.
"Cor blimey guv`ner it`s a right cozy class system and no mistake"!
Great Patriotic War film, Love the British war film from the 40s till 1960 Bismark - they do them so well. Haven't seen this film in over 20yrs ! Thanks good stuff ! Semper Fi
Wrong moto
Marvellous. Thank you. Subbed.
May I say as a World War II Anahuac/enthusiast not in a morbid way 😐 But this film is more realistic in many ways than most people would believe great stuff least we forget least we forget🏴🇬🇧🏴
A film watched many times in our family over the years. Celia Johnson's speech at 38:30 in her role as Alex (the Captain's wife and Lady Mayoress) on behalf of 'all wretched naval wives' is one of the great sea related speeches. My grandmother and her mother (both wretched naval wives) would demand absolute silence as Alex warned 'Dear Marie' of a naval wife's 'permanent and undefeated rival'- her husband's ship.
My dad who has now passed long gone was also ex RN motor mechanic 1941 to 1946 five years, started his service at Chatham barracks 3 yrs just missed out on Normandy so he latter found out, July 44 sent out to Alexandra and saw out the war there Feb 46, and many a sailor said to him wow what a cushy job you got land side 3 hot meals and possibly a bunk bed for a PO, I remember him telling me they had an air raid scare on the way out passing near Malta his transport ship in the convoy luckly was not hit. this was all after El Alamein, alex at this time just had the odd air raid scare, cushy job. but what is incredible here is the facts and photos show my father joined at 18 volunteered before the draft as he didnt want the army, LS at 21 PO at 22, when he got back to England Feb 46 they asked him to sign on again with the promise of CPO in a year or two, he declined, like just everyone else he had enough of war but was proud of his service though never serving on a ship, IN WHICH WE SERVE a great movie, about being proud to serve and the human spirit, thanks for showing
Always proud of our armed services.
These Shipbuilders were amazing. The Craftmanship gosh, with none of the modern equipment. 🌌🌎🌊💙🦅🙏
37:19 "I will treat these paltry interruptions with the contempt they deserve." Love that!
The best scene is the Coldstream Guards marching off the pier............brilliant!
Whether WWI, II or the Falklands, a ship a grim place to be under attack. Hats off to the Navy boys.
We Will Remember Them 🌹
Great movie, not perhaps the clearest print of it, but so it goes. Good to see it again.
*THX* ampopfilms for this unusual film plot structure "blending" a somewhat unique probe of the deeply personal aspects impacting both the family _and_ battle-hardened dangers of war = Definitively English. 👌
The short segments of Hitler's 'Battle of Britain' barrage were as moving as the shipmates relationships at sea....
A Great Cast throughout, where under David Lean's co-direction, wonderful Noel Coward, John Mills, James Donald, Michael Wilding, et al, brought this intimate story to "tangibly" Meaningful Life......
4:52 It has been about 18 years since I last heard those words of command when I was a Sea Cadet.
Ships' Company, *HO!*
Turning Aft, Right and Left *TURN!*
27:00 - 27:56 - The captain is based on Lord Louis Mountbatten, who could remember men who'd served under him even if it had been years earlier - as Celia Johnson says in the film, a naval wife will always have 'a rival' in her husband's ship. And his saying that a ship can't be happy unless she's efficient, and can't be efficient unless she's happy, comes almost verbatim from a speech that Coward heard Mountbatten give to his crew.
I've watched this film on TV a couple time and liked it enough I bought a DVD of it.
Definitely the "stiff upper lip" Navy flick...great movie. I do wish the quality of the video was better
I can't thank you enough for uploading this movie, one of my favorites. I'm having to severely downsize & that means getting rid of my VHS tapes. Any online versions of them that I can find are a blessing.
Check out the Internet Archive. I've found lots of films there that were hard to find elsewhere. Good luck and cheers!!!
Thanks for having this movie. Bear in mind negative commentaries are coming from those who only are alive with a freedom of speech because of people like those seen in the film. Being in 1942 in a World War the mindset of people was very different. An advantage of the Commonwealth System with a figurative Crown is it retained the concept of loyalty, culture and history. In 1942 USA was still just recent to the war having had the population (not leadership) strive hard to just let the Nazis do what they wanted in Europe though they were denying Japan oil etc that was part of the "hidden provocations" for the Pearl Harbour attack.
The film itself is a bit hard to follow due to the massive amount of flashbacks. The content for naval life, ships, preparations and so on has generally been credited with accuracy. Modern viewers can look back on this as how people were and what they needed to do to keep the way of life the modern people take for granted.
Well Said!
Tell that nonsense to the people the British and their commonwealth cronies conquered, looted and stole their wealth from. As for the US, they watched in disgust as your prime minister went to Germany and appeased the Nazis instead of opposing them. They weren't part of your damn empire and so they didn't have to declare war just because Britain did.
@@kwd3109 You have the IQ of a roach turd.
@@jamesaritchie1 Truth hurts. By the way, do your parents know you're using their computer again?
@@kwd3109 Well plenty of CW nationals fought in the War including Indian and African troops. As to the the US..well as i understand the German and plastic Irish communities (or some ar least) were not in favour of getting involved given their Anglophobia. Whilst Chamberlain was mistaken, given British losses in WW1 it was understandable why many wanted to avoid another war - if US WW1 losses had been equivalent to UK, would have amounted to 2.7m dead
Excellent award winning film! Thanks for posting and stay safe 🙏
The film in whitch we serve had the greatest actors and actresses of all time John Mills was the greatest ❤️❤️❤️
Supposed to Study For Life in UK Test...Ended up smoking to This 😎
my uncle was on a sloop in ww2 and one story he told me was that they were ordered to see if they could pick up a bomber crew in the finistere area, which they did but were attacked by 3 german planes of which they hit 1 and as it slewed away in distress the other 2 buggered off; they recieved a congratulatory message for the rescue, so the crew raffled the signal the cook won it ;
Thes shipbuilders were amazing. The Craftmanship gosh, with none of the modern equipment. 🌌🌎🌊💙🦅🙏
I remember my old dad commenting on this film. The part at 26:46 with the captain picking out men who served under him, referring to them as "shipmates" and knowing their names made him laugh as every officer he came in contact with wouldn`t give ratings the time of day and treated them like something they`d scrape of their shoes.
Reality versus fantasy.
Thanks for upload
Great movie
Shout out from Oz
My favourite war film, made when everything was still up for grabs. The aspirational Briton represented well. And I'm biased as Kay Walsh was my cousin.
A great actor indeed was John Mills. I had a terrible crush on his gorgeous daughter Hayley when I was a young lad.
I had a drink with Hayley, at a highwaymen concert here in Sydney, back in the early 1990's. To think that the baby, in this movie was her older sister Juliet Mills.
Britain stood strong, proud, and brave. We owe them much.
They owe us for saving their ass
We sure do, especially when one thinks about WWI. We peasants can thank the inbreds that have enslaved humanity for what seems like forever. What fools we are.
@@MrMikebiggs America excels in much but don't turn ignorance into a virtue.
@@hughgrection4205 It's their national sport, when they're not playing armoured rounders or whatever.
Damn right we do , they fought against Jerry with old equipment , less of it , and did a bang up job . The whole British Navy , from the Motor Patrol Torpedo Boats to the heavy cruisers , did their very best .
I knew an old soldier - a Scotsman - by the name of Bob McMannus, who was in the movie "In Which We Serve' as an extra. He said he was required to put a stone in his shoe to give him a believable limp in the scenes that included him. I vaguely remember him saying there was one particular scene in which they were on a beach.
Can't help but feel that Leslie Howard's rousing final voice over diminishes the punch of the ending- it should have stayed with that last frame: the men drifting away, and sunlight streaming in through the doorway of the empty warehouse. The world moves imperceptibly on, while the last vestiges of the ship's spirit float away like dust motes in the shafts of sunlight. It's an immensely powerful moment.
I was born in 1942 . Despite the way our country has been " sold down the river " . I am proud to be be BRITISH .
You are justified in your pride. Britain stood alone against Hitler. God Bless The King's Navy!
"Sold down the river" by who?
???
an amazing film love john mills awesome actor TFS
I think the statement about UK being an island is quite important. You need a great navy for trade, defence and if be attack.
Thank goodness for the Britain's Royal Navy!!!
This movie is obviously dated to our eyes - even mine who grew up in that kind of world. The class divide, the stereotyped portrayals. However, this portrays a terrible time, and does it very well. The scene in the house that is being blitzed was very scary, and made me realize what my own family went through in London - just waiting to be hit. As for Noel Coward. His portrayal of the captain was masterful. The first time I saw this movie I thought that the Royal Navy should use it as a training film for all wannabee officers. A captain like that you would fight for and die for if necessary.
I see now Reilly. Thanks for educating me.
Bovril and sherry! if you have not tried this on a cold winters night, maybe even a damp night, it works like a treat.
"..This ship, and to all sail in her.."
You don’t get the real deal films like this anymore.
Excellent!
If you liked this, try 'The Cruel Sea' & 'The Small Back Room'; magnificent movies.
I'd rate the cruel sea above this.
“Snorkers! What o’”
@@PeteCourtier snorkers good oh.i think you mean
@@tonyroy2987 indeed😂 I mis remembered.
@@xlbubblehead2505 😂 Enjoy your breakfast 👍ruclips.net/video/YBZcE69_5a8/видео.html
Not so many of the best generation left now as we approach remembrance day
Very sad that most aren’t with us anymore... but they will always be remembered for their bravery and sacrifice
Best picture Oscar nominee.
I use the happy ship is an efficient ship speech at every command I’ve had.
Noel was very particular about the double-dot over the E in his name, but in the front credits it is omitted all five times.
The umlaut is a very German thing, and they likely didn't want such a sight six feet high in front of the movie audience, in 1942.
@@sillyone52062 The 'umlaut' dots were sometimes used in other languages to indicate the elision of a couple of letters in spelling a word (eg. "haïr" in French is a contraction of "hai" and "ir", and they'repronounced separately). The French "noël" would, similarly, be spoken as a two-parter but It's not clear if Coward would have wanted his christian name to be pronounced to match the French spelling, whatever the tie-in with the Christmas song. Most people wouldn't say "no-wel" as in the carol: they'd go for "nole".
Those shipyard workers w/o helmets or safetyglasses . things were different back then.
Love this film. So well done. One thing I do not understand about such ships of this time is why the bridge was open, no roof, in the Atlantic! Why?
You get better visibility on an open bridge, very important on a warship. Although bridges are closed now, there are still watch keepers using the mark 1 eyeball.
visibility! You can’t see through salt covered glass
It was interesting how the commanders of these Destroyers bravely fought their ships
from an open bridge. I imagine it served to give them exceptionally good situational awareness to what was ahead and to the sides of the ship.
Capital ships were fought from within a well armored citadel.
The destroyer captains had mad courage. Take for example, HMS Glowworm. The two destroyers that were covering HMS Glorious. The U.S. captains at Samar. Incredible courage.
@@sillyone52062 Did those destroyer sailors lost in the "Glorious" debacle get any official recognition for the fight they put up, I believe the Germans saluted them.
Looks like Frazier (John Laurie) as one of the Gunners.
Amazing how fast those destroyers were.
Amazing the films are done in studios .some times they view out side .
Amazing film. A picture of England at war. At home and the front...
My favourite actor John Mills 👌
Excellent film, even if Coward sounds a bit pompous, but that was his general demeanour anyway
Yes, Michael, that's the overriding factor, love this film
Not sure why you feel Coward is pompous. I didn't think he was at all. In fact, he's rather modest and giving in his role here, particularly to his men whose safety he obviously held above his own. Do you mean 'cultured', as Coward was known to be, rather than pompous, which is a very negative characteristic?
No, just an observation, we re all entitled to our views as you and I, are, Robbie
+Robbie R. Esq. Very well put. Thank you very much.
No, I meant pompous, just my view, as I say, we're all entitled to one, you don't have to go with it, as I don't go with yours.
Nice to see REAL English people.
Perhaps you meant to say British.
British? Welsh, Scots, Irish, English..plus of course post war though little known, all the laundry was done by ppl from Hong Kong on larger RN vessels
Meaning who else? I'm English.. 95%...and I loathe this film. As propaganda OK I suppose, as depiction of reality? Rubbish.
A good cast
Maravillosa película ojalá pudieras poner subtítulos .
gracias Bea
i believe this is the film based on Lord Mountbatten's experience.
Makes me want to puke how easily this generation is handing over the freedoms our grandparents sacrificed their lives to protect!
The difference is that the Generation of the 40's was a Godly & God Fearing Generation.
@@Psychedelic_TimeTraveller86 Wow! Close connection.
@@Psychedelic_TimeTraveller86 Don't you mean HMS Kelly which the film is based on? Torrin was a fictional ship.
@@Psychedelic_TimeTraveller86 He was in good company, his captain was Lord Louis Mountbatten, but what an unlucky ship.
@@benjaminrush4443 So of course were the Germans.......
Muy buena película! Gracias.
Great, tnx👍
29:00 The 4.7" shells were tiny compared to what the larger ships were tossing around, but they clearly had some weight.
17:01 - to translate for 2020 text speak:
“Hi dad. You alright?”
“Yes. Hi.”
Using the comment of Stephen Reeds
4 weeks ago
I understood that I am not alone, though I am very far from this war and English customs.
I say it in my way. According to material about the UK, this film= ,, During the Second World War, British movies (for example, In Which We Serve) played an important part in boosting morale.''
I don't understand, why the director Noël Coward couldn't change his family name?
if his name were Pig, would he still not do anything about that?
Never mind the name.
These actors in the film are nice and have very clear pronunciation.
They look good.
Many have this nice old accent of higher classes, which I like.
And the pictures of the time are there.
Only why do these actors often talk here in such a mannerism, as if they give a concert for Her Majesty the Queen?
Their accent is not exactly like that singing accent of older times , which was with such a singing intonation, but still, it's close.
They talk as if Queen Victoria is still alive.
Their smiles are sweet. As for taking pictures.
I see it like this, so I express my vision.
The war is on but I can't see it on the faces of the actors, not that they should constantly cry but still their happy expressions are not to the point of the war.
Splendid film. Absolutely first rate. Why wasn't Richard Attenborough recognized in the credits?
I thought i spotted "Rodger" (Big X!)
He was still a drama student.
Another British film good cast
...sorry, I can't get past Noel Coward as a naval officer. I keep expecting a fashion show to break out of nowhere....
1:01:36 are we seeing Richard Attenborough? If we are, it was an uncredited role.
The milkshake is best on farage
Wonderful examples of RADA “Received Pronunciation” and “Received London Working Class Pronunciation”.
Oh Luv a Duck. An’ that’s no erro’!
This film was filmed at denham studios
Remastered on britbox in HD its amazing
this and the cruel sea are my favourite movies about the rn
I have seen this film many times and have just noticed that the character played by Noel Coward is the wrong rank for the size of the ship, he should have been a Commander.
The film is based on a real ship, HMS Kelly, whose CO was a full Captain, Lord Louis Mountbatten. Destroyer captains usually were younger and more junior I agree.
If you look at his helmet it says Capt D, he as the flotilla leader would be a captain
@@gordonhoran4373 In this instance the Captain (D) is a full Captain, but the position of Captain (D) could be and often was filled by an officer who had the substantive rank of Commander.
Of course the CO is always referred to as Captain by courtesy. To the crew he is, by immemorial custom, known as The Owner!