felixoteiza I may be one of those few who think that a more exciting flick about the Bismarck would have been achieved had those making this movie stuck to the real story and focused entirely on it. Not that I am against the "human touch" or romantic love in films like this, but I think the Bismarck saga is a far more exciting war epic that is shown in STB! and so deserves the whole and undivided attention of an audience.First, to back my point, some facts that I don't see much mentioned, yet which are essential to the story: a) The Bismarck losing the shadowing cruisers had nothing to do with Lutjens' brilliancy and everything to do with luck. Both ships started zigzagging out of fear of possible U subs nearby so they went for 10 mins. to left, then 10 mins. to right, so every time they reached the most outward points they lost the Bismarck for a few minutes. It was during one of these occasions that, coming back, they realized they hadn't her anymore in their screens. b) The Bismarck being located again wasn't either the result of any brilliant hunch but simply the fruit of Lutjens's pessimism and of his overestimation of the British radar—he gave it a range bigger than it really had—belief which made him think that he still had them in his wake when he sent to Paris a 30 min. message depicting in detail past events, giving the Brits time enough to locate his ship through radiogoniometers--not that the Brits did any better then: they fumbled the data and gave the Germans yet another crucial advantage which was eventually neutralized by the torpedo hit on the rudder. (By then they knew she was going to St. Nazaire anyway, the closest friendly port, sort of, where the Germans could fix a +50.000-ton ship.)c) Speaking of which, that torpedo hit on the rudder could have never happened: as HMS Ark Royal was rushing to the scene she was spotted by U 556, which could have readily sunk her with torpedoes. But it didn't do it because it didn't have any left, it had just spent them all.d) The Bismarck was a condemned ship anyway as his design was already outdated, the result of Germany having been prevented from developing any serious naval research during wars. The result of it were dramatic: use of dual main batteries while other navies were already working with triple or quadruple batteries. Lack of dual purpose secondary guns, for both surface and AA fire. Great amount of room on decks wasted on lifeboats--instead of inflatable boats--room that could have been better spent on AA guns of all calibers, their failure at shooting down even one Swordfish WWI relic makes this point well.e) On the plus side, a few advantages that even if very impressive wouldn't have made a difference: it could fire her 15" much faster than her RN opponents, one shot every 22 seconds.--acc. to Von Mullenheim Rechberg--to one each 45 sec. Superb fire control, with the best optical instruments available at the time. And Krupp steel of course.As space runs out I resume: not really a very accurate reenactment of a true life event as the other More historical flick was, much more of a war propaganda movie with a human touch. Yet still very aptly done and more entertaining than it seems, with More and the rest playing it to a tee. Some superfluous melodrama, though, in a few scenes. And as in ANTR it takes you to the heart of the action on the condition that you know little or nothing about the subject matter. The less you know about it the more chances you'll have to enjoy it. 7/10.

oldgringo2001 I saw this movie when it came out. I was nine years old living in a tiny Idaho town, and it was great stuff. In different ways, it's still great stuff, despite the melodramatic excesses (Lutjens wasn't a Nazi idiot, and that completely over-the-top scene with the agent tapping out a few more words after the Germans shoot him.) Anything with Kenneth More is worth watching more than once.So, why is the sinking of the Bismarck such a big deal for the Brits? Well, as Johnny Horton's song reminds you at the start, it was May of 1941, and Britain was out of allies. In the movie itself it mentions the loss of Maleme in Crete--a disaster on top of two more disasters, the recent evacuation of the Greek mainland, and Rommel's defeat of the British army remaining in North Africa. The Royal Navy took large losses covering the evacuation from Crete. In other worlds, any betting man in the USA would put his money on Germany whipping the Brits. But these disasters were happening far away and were hard to understand; the Bismarck chase filled American front pages at a very critical moment. It was Revenge at Sea (which, incidentally, is the title of a book about a similar chase-down in World War I.) Now that's the kind of stuff that sells newspapers.

cal reid The German battleship Bismarck has set sail for the high seas, sank the HMS Hood and has broken out into the north Atlantic. The powerful force of the Nazi navy seems unstoppable but the Royal Navy will stop at nothing to strike down the floating monstrosity, Winston Churchill orders the brave seamen to SINK THE BISMARCK! A fantastic piece of British cinema showing a realistic and exciting portrayal of one of history's defining battles at sea with amazing performances from Kenneth More and Dana Wynter. The battle scenes at sea between the ships and the air raid from the swordfish bi-planes are all breathtaking scenes and hold up well today. A great war film and a must see 8/10

ianlouisiana A remarkable movie with Mr.K.More at his very best as the Director of Operations in a bunker under the Admiralty engaged in a hunt for the "Bismarck" when she breaks for the Atlantic intending to wreak havoc on Allied convoys. Cool - headed rather than cold,he is the man who must make the hard decisions - the important ones. With the lives of many thousands of sailors in his hands he directs the escorting ships away from the convoys and redeploys them in a desperate search for the German battleship. His calculated risk pays off and,cornered by the Royal Navy,the "Bismarck" is ruthlessly blown to pieces,graphically portrayed on the screen. Nobody in the bunker whoops or throws their hat in the air,Mr More merely slips the model of the "Bismarck" into a pocket and goes back into his office.Job done. Brilliantly photographed in black and white(for wasn't the war fought in black and white for my generation?)"Sink the Bismarck" is the best type of understated British war movie. Mr More's apparent cold - bloodedness covers a tragic past,but there's a war to be won,time enough to grieve afterwards. Mis Dana Wynter strikes a slightly false note as a bereaved Wren officer who tries to bring out More's humanity,but otherwise the casting is perfect. "Remember The Hood" was a byword of the time,but we should also remember the "Bismarck" and her brave,doomed crew.