Sorry, this movie sucks

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Well-done war picture featuring two giants of the screen, Gable and Lancaster. This one is a story about a submarine crew and the battle of wits between its two top officers. Gable has asked for a second chance to command his own sub after a disaster which got him a desk job. He gets his wish, and is given Lancaster's sub, which naturally causes friction and bad blood between the two.They head for the Bungo Straits, a graveyard for American subs near the Japanese coast, so that Gable can prove himself again, or so it seems. Lots of suspense as Japanese destroyers and battleships hover near or over the sub, and Director Wise and a veteran cast of supporting actors put the story over just the way it used to be done in Hollywood. The cast also has Don Rickles in his first movie acting job. "Run Silent" is one of the better WWII action dramas to come out of Hollywood.

RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP is a WW2 thriller about the crew of an American submarine in the Pacific who go after a deadly Japanese destroyer which has been sinking tons of their shipping. The film is directed by the one and only Robert Wise with his usual level of professionalism and features two stars in the forms of Burt Lancaster and Clark Gable as the leaders of the crew who end up butting heads throughout.Naval thrillers such as this one live or die depending on the action and suspense scenes and I'm pleased to report that they're more than effective here. The special effects of ships exploding and the like are highly impressive and the depth charge attacks are gripping. Gable plays the old timer as a Captain Ahab-alike, obsessed at revenging himself on the enemy at whatever cost, while Lancaster is a more likable, level-headed guy in charge. RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP features a little comedy to lighten the mood, a good sense of setting, and some solid plot twists. There's very little to dislike about it overall.

In 1942, submarine commander P.J. Richardson (Clark Gable) loses his boat in the Bungo Straits to Japanese destroyer Akikaze. Richardson survives and a year later, he's on desk duty in Pearl Harbor. Meanwhile, the Akikaze has gained a fearsome reputation after sinking three more American subs. Jim Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster) is about to be the captain of a sub but Richardson is able to steal the position from him. Bledsoe is forced to remain as the ship's XO. Richardson is obsessed about drilling the crew in a dangerous bow shot maneuver. They are going back to the area but they are ordered not to enter the Bungo Straits.The start is a bit of a missed opportunity. I get the need to get to Burt Lancaster but the first sub going down could have been a great sequence. Also it needs to explain a little bit how the crew got out. Most submarines go under with the crew on board. The special effects are nicely done with a mix of mostly miniatures as well as a real submarine. The action is terrific and thrilling. The two leading men are the best of their eras. It's one of the best early submarine movies.

Recently I saw the submarine movie, 'Phantom' and I liked it. This inspired me to look for more submarine movies and I stumbled on to this. This is a brilliant movie. The story line is simple enough. Clark Gable plays captain Rchardson, a submarine commander demoted to a desk job following the sinking of his vessel by the Japanese. He gets another chance to captain a sub. In defiance of orders, he goes after the Japanese destroyer that had sunk his original sub. He has to fight not only the Japanese but also his own lieutenant and a reluctant crew. He eventually triumphs. However, it is a costly victory. Captain dies of the wounds sustained during an action and is buried at sea before the vessel can reach the port. This film reminded me of Captain Ahab and his pursuit of Mobydick. That this old black and white film made more than half a century ago could keep me entranced is proof that this is a great film. After all only classics transcend limits of time and geography. I rate this film as a classic movie.