Sailor of the King

1953
Approved
1h 23m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Jeffrey Hunter and Wendy Hiller in Sailor of the King (1953)

In 1940, Canadian sailor Andrew Brown is prisoner on a battle damaged German raider and he plans to delay the raider's at-sea repairs until a British naval task-force can destroy it.In 1940, Canadian sailor Andrew Brown is prisoner on a battle damaged German raider and he plans to delay the raider's at-sea repairs until a British naval task-force can destroy it.In 1940, Canadian sailor Andrew Brown is prisoner on a battle damaged German raider and he plans to delay the raider's at-sea repairs until a British naval task-force can destroy it.

Director
- Roy Boulting
Writers
- C.S. Forester
- Valentine Davies
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

725

YOUR RATING

Director
- Roy Boulting
Writers
- C.S. Forester
- Valentine Davies
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos11

+ 4

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Although the movie is set in World War Two, the basic situation on which the story is loosely based is that of the World War One naval battles of Coronel in the South Pacific and the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, both of which took place in 1914. As in the film, a British cruiser force was defeated in the first battle by a superior German force and then Royal Navy reinforcements sent from England allowed the British to triumph in the second encounter.

Goofs
The action is meant to take place on a volcanic atoll in the Pacific. When they sail out for the final battle the cliffs in the background are sedimentary chalk cliffs.

Connections
Featured in The Great Canadian Supercut (2017)

Soundtracks
It's a Long Way to Tipperary
(uncredited)
Written by Jack Judge and Harry Williams

User reviews21

Featured review

8/10

" Bravery often waits within the confines of every hero "

I have always admired the work of C.S. Forester. Some of his most enduring books are about English Captain Horatio Hornblower who served during the French Napoleonic and revolutionary War. In this movie called "Sailor of the King" my favorite actor Jeffrey Hunter plays Signalman Andrew Brown who is aboard H.M.Ship Ansley when it is sunk by a German Crusier. Another favorite actor Michael Rennie who is well remembered as Klatuu from 'The Day the Earth stood still' plays Capt. Richard Saville who longs to do battle with the German navy. In Forester's original work, he had Brown as Saville's son even though neither know of the other. In the movie it is only hinted that both men are related even when both are brought before the King to be decorated and knighted. The movie itself is well directed by Roy Boulting and if you look closely, you'll see Bernard Lee who later became James Bonds' boss at MI6. This is a fine movie and one which is listed as a early Classic in the annals of Military movies. Easily recommended for all. ****