Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6918 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-03-17
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, German
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 114 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Something of a swan song for the legendary Michael Powell-Emeric Pressburger partnership, 1956's The Battle of the River Plate is their penultimate film together (the following year's Ill Met By Moonlight was the last). Shot in a semi-documentary style that stands apart from the "magical realism" of much of their previous work--Canterbury Tales, A Matter of Life and Death, The Red Shoes--the film tells the story of the pursuit of the German pocket battleship Graf Spee by three British cruisers off the River Plate in Uruguay during November 1939.

Incorporating actual wartime footage adds to the authentic air, albeit one that sits uneasily with the obviously studio-bound look of the rest. Among the solid cast Peter Finch stands out as the beleaguered Captain Langsdorff of the Graf Spee, while John Gregson is his counterpart, the stalwart British hero type. Things get a bit odd when Christopher Lee pops up in the unlikely role of a Latin-American nightclub boss. It's an atypical Powell and Pressburger picture and not exactly their best, but still a fine World War II picture that documents an important incident in the opening salvos of the war. --Mark Walker

DVD Description

The Battle Of The River Plate tells of the pursuit of a German battleship in one of the most gripping episodes of the Second World War. November 1939, ten days before the start of World War II, Graf Spee--a famed German warship captained by Hans Langsdorff (Peter Finch)--wages a brutal attack on Allied merchant shipping vessels in the South Atlantic. After the last defeated Allied craft manages to radio its coordinates moments before sinking, British naval forces begin playing a cat-and-mouse game with the feared German warship, leading to Langsdorff and his crew's forced hide-out in Montevideo. Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, the film is notable for its amazing sea battles--made possible by, among others, the co-operation of the Admiralty, The Royal Navy and The US Navy--and for its non-stereotypical depiction of characters on both sides of the war.

Customer Reviews

British War Movie at its best
A superbly presented edition of this movie, vibrant sharp colour,excellent story and superb acting.
Peter Finch as Langsdorff , Antony Quayle as Harwood , Bernard Lee as Captain Dove et al. ....Look out for Antony Newley ,Barry Foster and John LeMesurier in supporting roles.
The tale is of the persuit,trapping and ultimate destruction of the 'pocket battleship'Admiral Graf Spee by a combined British and New Zealand cruiser squadron.... The first victory of the war in December 1939.
A beautiful movie .... they don't make 'em like this any more.

Battle of the River Plate
A gripping tale of a David versus Goliath battle as three British cruisers take on the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee which was running riot in the south Atlantic and Indian ocean. It's slightly annoying for naval buffs because of the ship used to represent the Graf Spee. Likewise with Ajax and Achilles which had twin 6" turrets. In the film we saw triple 6" turrets all over the place. However, don't let that spoil a stirring tale

Famous Heroic World War 2 Naval Battle
The true story of a German Pocket Battleship loose on the high seas at the outbreak of World War 2. Having sunk several merchant ships off Africa she seeks even greater spoils off the South American coast. Three British cruisers although outgunned engage her and a heroic naval battle takes place. Great cast includes John Gregson, Peter Finch and Anthony Quale.