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ERA
Did you know
69 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Enemy Below
"The most amazing saga in the fighting annals of the US Navy!"
1957 1h 37m EN
👍
7.2
SOLID
★7.2TMDB · 224
War
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
The crew of the American destroyer escort, the USS Haynes, detects a German U-Boat—resulting in a prolonged, deadly battle of wits.
“The most amazing saga in the fighting annals of the US Navy!”
Cast
Robert Mitchum
Capt. Murrell
Curd Jürgens
Kapitän von Stolberg
David Hedison
Lt. Ware
Theodore Bikel
Heinie Schwaffer
Russell Collins
Doctor
Kurt Kreuger
Von Holem (uncredited)
Frank Albertson
Lt. J.G. Crain
Biff Elliot
Quartermaster
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Dick Powell
- Writers
- Wendell Mayes
- Languages
- English
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 7
ERA
Did you know
Directed by Dick Powell, shot by Harold Rosson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 7
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Leigh Harline. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 7
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Stuart Gilmore shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 7
CAST
Did you know
Robert Mitchum and Curd Jürgens and David Hedison carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 7
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "The most amazing saga in the fighting annals of the US Navy!".
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 7
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt0050356 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Dick Powell directs. Harold Rosson behind the camera. Leigh Harline scores. Stuart Gilmore cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 169 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
- 2Directed by Dick Powell, shot by Harold Rosson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 3Original score by Leigh Harline. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 4Editor Stuart Gilmore shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 5Robert Mitchum and Curd Jürgens and David Hedison carry the top of the cast.
- 6Marketing tagline: "The most amazing saga in the fighting annals of the US Navy!".
- 7IMDB entry: tt0050356 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Harold Rosson
- Original score
- Leigh Harline
- Editing
- Stuart Gilmore
- Costume design
- Charles LeMaire
- Makeup / hair
- Ben Nye
- Runtime
- 97 min · 1h 37m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- NR
Awards
- Academy Award for Best Special Effects
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.
Also by
Dick Powell
Stills · wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
20th Century Fox
US
Key crew
- ProducerDick Powell
- NovelD.A. Rayner
- Art DirectionAlbert Hogsett
- Art DirectionLyle R. Wheeler
- Set DecorationWalter M. Scott
- Assistant DirectorArthur Lueker
- Costume DesignCharles LeMaire
- Makeup ArtistBen Nye
- EditorStuart Gilmore
- Set DecorationFay Babcock
- Sound EffectsWalter Rossi
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- submarine
- world war ii
- u.s. navy
- battle of the atlantic
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical1957-12-25NR
Also known as
International titles
- Duello sull'AtlanticoIT
