This British war film tells the story of the human torpedo and midget submarine attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz in the Norwegian fjordsduring World War II.
Commander Fraser (John Mills) is determined to prove that unconventional underwater attacks can succeed where traditional Royal Air Force bombing raids failed.
Despite initial scepticism from high-ranking naval officers, Fraser trains a special commando unit to execute a daring, multi-stage mission using two types of experimental underwater craft – Chariot manned torpedoes and X-Craft midget submarines.
The film focuses heavily on the intense, claustrophobic training conditions, technical failures, and the extreme psychological tension the crews face as they navigate tightly guarded enemy waters.
Directed by Ralph Thomas, the film is based on two true-life attacks by British commando frogmen – first using Chariot manned torpedoes in ‘Operation Title’ in 1942, and then X-Craft midget submarines in ‘Operation Source’ in 1943.
Produced at Pinewood Studios, the production achieved a high level of technical realism by utilising actual wartime naval equipment.
Outdoor scenes simulating the Norwegian coast were filmed around Guernsey and Dorset.
To ensure historical accuracy, the production even employed Commander Donald Cameron – a real-life veteran who won a Victoria Cross – as a naval adviser.
The film was a massive commercial success, ranking as the sixth most popular movie at the British box office in 1955. Its popularity cemented John Mills’ status as the UK’s most popular movie star that year.
Commander Fraser
John Mills Lt Alec Duffy
John Gregson Lt Tom Corbett
Donald Sinden Admiral Ryder
James Robertson Justice Smart
Michael Medwin Abercrombie
James Kenney Cox
Lee Patterson Ramsey
William Russell McCleery
Harry Towb CPO Chubb
Cyril Chamberlain George
Anthony Wager Winley
Leslie Weston Hutchins
Thomas Heathcote Lt. Anderson
John Horsley X2 No. 1
William Franklyn X2 Engineer
Anthony Newley X2 Diver Navigator
Lyndon Brook Captain of the Tirpitz
O.E. Hasse
Despite initial scepticism from high-ranking naval officers, Fraser trains a special commando unit to execute a daring, multi-stage mission using two types of experimental underwater craft – Chariot manned torpedoes and X-Craft midget submarines.
Produced at Pinewood Studios, the production achieved a high level of technical realism by utilising actual wartime naval equipment.
