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The Battle of the River Plate

The Battle of the River Plate

Drama · History · War · 1956

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.

Movie details

The Battle of the River Plate

“Pursuit of the Graf Spee”

1956 Drama · History · War 1h 59m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Battle of the River Plate?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer.

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Lion of the Desert

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History · 1981

Resistance leader Omar Mukhtar opposes Italian colonization before World War II. The brutal guerrilla war against Italian General Rodolfo Graziani and the Fascist forces of Benito Mussolini highlights the struggle for Libyan independence and the harsh tactics utilised by the colonisers.

War Horse

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On the brink of the First World War, Albert's beloved horse Joey is sold to the Cavalry by his father. Against the backdrop of the Great War, Joey begins an odyssey full of danger, joy, and sorrow, and he transforms everyone he meets along the way. Meanwhile, Albert, unable to forget his equine friend, searches the battlefields of France to find Joey and bring him home.

The Bridge on the River Kwai

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Sink the Bismarck!

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Emeric Pressburger · Michael Powell

Written by

Emeric Pressburger · Michael Powell

John Gregson

John Gregson

Captain Bell - H.M.S. Exeter

Anthony Quayle

Anthony Quayle

Commodore Harwood - H.M.S. Ajax

Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter

Captain Woodhouse - H.M.S. Ajax

Jack Gwillim

Jack Gwillim

Captain Parry - H.M.N. Z. S. Achilles

Bernard Lee

Bernard Lee

Captain Dove - M.S. Africa Shell

Lionel Murton

Lionel Murton

Mike Fowler

Anthony Bushell

Anthony Bushell

Sir Millington Drake, British Minister, Montevideo

Court is in session

Put The Battle of the River Plate on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.