
The Battle of the River Plate
Seen it?1956 | 119 min | Drama, History, War
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Solid across the board without standing out anywhere. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Greyhound or The Longest Day, start here.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 59 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1956: an older pace and style.
In the early years of the World War II, the Royal Navy is fighting a desperate battle to keep the Atlantic convoy routes open to supply the British Isles, facing the great danger posed by the many German warships, such as the Admiral Graf Spee, which are scouring the ocean for cargo ships to sink.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$750K worldwide on a $280K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 58K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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A Bridge Too FarSaturday SpecialAnother war historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
PressureSaturday SpecialAnother war historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
MidwayWeeknight WatchAnother war historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
- John GregsonCaptain Bell - H.M.S. Exeter
- Anthony QuayleCommodore Harwood - H.M.S. Ajax
- Ian HunterCaptain Woodhouse - H.M.S. Ajax
- Jack GwillimCaptain Parry - H.M.N. Z. S. Achilles
- Bernard LeeCaptain Dove - M.S. Africa Shell
- Lionel MurtonMike Fowler
- Anthony BushellSir Millington Drake, British Minister, Montevideo
- Peter IllingDr. Guani, Foreign Minister, Uruguay
- Michael GoodliffeCaptain McCall, R.N., British Naval Attache, Buenos Aires
- Patrick MacneeLieutenant Commander Medley, R.N.