This is a story of a ship.

And so it is, and of the men who serve on them, and of their families back at home.  A British film, it focuses on the captain and select crew of the HMS Torrin, a destroyer which is sunk early on in the film.

The rest of the film switches between flashbacks of a few of the surviving sailors, and their families, and between the events leading up to her sinking.

Just one thing I have to get out of the way.  Noel Coward, playing the captain, speaks entirely too fast!  There are times you just can't even understand what he's saying!  Other than that this effort, which was mostly his creation shines as a wonderful wartime look at the war.

I suppose you could classify this as a "propaganda" film.  I'm a little hesitant to label it as such, because of the measured loss we are shown both at home and on board the ship.  But given the times it was made and viewed, it would have to be seen as such.

It can get a little tedious at times, but the moving moments are worth it.

You also get a good look at the inner workings of a Royal Navy destroyer and the details of operations on board.  It's a somewhat interesting contrast to how we see the American ships being run.

I liked it, but I don't think I'll be jumping at the chance to see it again...

Technorati Tags: war movies, in which we serve, 1942, noel coward, world war ii, royal navy