Customer Reviews
Great story of heroism 
2008-08-02
I saw this movie years ago on a VHS recording someone else had made when it was shown on a commercial TV channel. Even then, I thought it was a great story. It's based on the 1929 C. S. Forester novel "Brown on Resolution." However, Forester's novel was set in World War 1 around the naval battles of Coronel and the Falklands, while this movie was reset in World War 2 with fictional naval encounters.
But, the movie begins in World War 1 when a young naval officer (Michael Rennie) has a chance meeting on a train and brief affair with a young woman (Wendy Hiller). She refuses his offer of marriage and they part, apparently, for good. Then the movie cuts to the beginning of World War 2 when a British squadron of light cruisers is chasing down a German surface raider. Seaman Brown (Jeffrey Hunter), a Canadian in the RN, is a top-notch sailor, best at his job as signalman, and the best rifle marksman in the fleet. Brown's ship is sent ahead by the squadron commander, Michael Rennie, but the ship's encounter with the German raider results in a loss with all hands but two, Brown and another sailor, who has lost his leg. However, the raider has taken damage that requires repair in some secluded spot.
On the German ship, Brown refuses to give information to the German captain about the squadron chasing him, insisting that his ship was operating alone. Nevertheless, the captain suspects that a larger squadron is after him and he must make repairs quickly and get away. They pull into a small inlet on Resolution Island off the coast of South America and begin repairs. During the night, with the encouragement of his wounded comrade, Brown escapes from the ship, steals a rifle and ammunition, and takes position on the island.
When dawn breaks, Brown begins sniping the work crews effecting repairs. This stops all work and severely delays the Germans' departure. The Germans fire blindly into the cliffs where Brown is hidden, but as soon as they resume repairs, he starts firing again. He keeps up his attacks despite wounds and intense thirst. A final attempt to land troops under cover of fire to get Brown is called back after the ship's repairs are complete and the Germans must be underweigh.
Just as they are emerging from the inlet, Rennie and his squadron appear and finish off the raider. A German officer's report after he is captured informs Rennie that a British sailor on Resolution has held them up single handedly. The story ends with Rennie and Brown awaiting a ceremony with the king where Rennie will be knighted and Brown will receive the Victoria Cross. Brown is also awaiting the arrival of his mother from Canada, Wendy Hiller.
This is a classic adventure story with true heroes and enemies who are simply foemen, not villainous monsters. The acting is superb. Hunter does a great job as seaman Brown: young, enthusiatsic, devoted to duty. Rennie and Hiller, though really in supporting roles, are terrific as young lovers who meet and part in wartime. The DVD also contains an alternate ending to the story.
Unexpected Pleasure 
2008-07-27
I bought this movie based on the description listed on Amazon, not knowing anything about the movie. I was very surprised to see a consistently well acted movie throughout. There were terrific acting performances all around. Even if you don't care for war movies, you could still appreciate and enjoy this film--my wife did! It is quite simply a well made, well acted movie. The only thing I wish was different was that I wished the black and white could have been color. It is very much worth your time and money!!
Top notch, I'd give it six stars if I could; 2008-07-08
This is a movie that every WW2 collector should have on their shelf. Jeffrey Hunter plays, I think one of his best roles ever, excellent plot and story. I really enjoyed this movie, yes I recommend it, not a bad price either. This is a real winner.
A Classic B&W gem from the 50's 2008-03-19
I'd always enjoyed this movie on TV and was glad to be able to add it to my DVD collection. Not having seen it in a while there were scenes I did not remember, particularly at the beginning. I suspect TV stations tended to snip the early scenes to add commercial time since the film-maker took the time to insert something a lot of modern movies don't bother with: Plot Development. The original 'British' ending probably makes the film more dramatic but I prefer the happier 'American' ending; It makes the movie more re-watchable.
The transfer is clean and sharp but be advised that despite what it says on the box, this movie is (and always was) in black and white.
Sailor of the King 2008-03-11
The film covers a time period of two wars, the World War I romance of two people, who remain unmarried and go their separate ways, (played by Rennie and Hiller) and their son, played by Hunter, a signalman in the World War II British Navy. The story is intriging and captivating. Even though the script is not one of the finer war story scripts, the film is worth seeing, especially for Jeffrey Hunter fans.
Wonderful, one of the very best! 2008-01-04
A British naval officer has a brief affair with a woman in England and never knows that she bears him a son. 20 years later the boy is on a ship under his command when he is tracking a German Raider. When the boy is captured after his ship is sunk he finds a way to slow the German's progress while a lethal hunt for him goes on.System Requirements:Run Time: 83 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 024543432951 Manufacturer No: 2243295
Disappointed 
2007-12-12
This was a good movie but I would classify it as an OLDIE vice a CLASSIC. It was an enjoyable war flick but not one that I would like to over and over. The story was fairly realistic but it could have been more of a war flick and less of a predictable love story. Although, this is a decent movie, it is in my "trading stack" since my collection is too large to justify keeping average movies.
Rehashed story 2007-09-29
I had in my mind a film about a man in the navy who with just a rifle and hidden on a rocky outcrop held off German sailors and saved the day. I finally tracked it down and watched it last night. Ah no, not Sailor of the King, but Forever England. Same story, same writer but made years before hand with a very, very young John Mills. I felt that something was missing and it was, I had originally seen this version which was expanded and more developed. An very good film, but if you get the chance have a look at the original. Simple, short and very British. I have not seen the US ending of this film which of course will be rather , well American, after all even Darth Vader had to be a goodie in the end. Never mind still an good film no matter what ending.
inspiration 2007-09-26
Viewing this British naval action film 50 years ago inspired me to join the US Navy; and it still does today!
A long-lost Fox treasure -- great DVD print, too 2007-08-29
Maybe not the greatest war flick ever made, but a worthy example of some highly competent work by Director Ray Boulting, one of the principles involved in the evolution of British Lion Films Corp. Though Boulting's later films were often little more than generic comedies (including some work with Peter Sellers), this film is a good example of his earlier, more "morally earnest" work. The hero, who undertakes a lone mission from which he knows he will not return, is contrasted with both a flaky English officer and a fatalistic German commander. Some years ago I read somewhere that this story of a single hero seaman was based on an actual incident from World War II. In any case, the combat sequences are superbly produced - no wonder, since Boulting himself saw similar combat during the period this story covers. The sniping sequence is beautifully executed and edited -- you really do feel as if you're up there in the rocks when the artillery barrage surrounds you. The DVD is among the best b&w transfers around - clean, clear, film-like, with little of the digital over-sharpening often seen with monochrome; and the camera work is exceptional. Performances from all are quite good. Jeffrey Hunter looks even better here than he did in John Ford's "The Searchers" - with looks and talent like his, one questions why Hunter didn't achieve superstar status. The plot itself seems as if it had undergone a major revision at some point: the beginning and ending sequences seem as if they were designed to support some message about heroism and individual responsibility. But the message is murky, as if the writers weren't quite willing to make the commitment. Had they done so the film likely would have been raised to a near-classic level. The middle action portion is superior to the start or finish and works well as an action movie on its own. You might get an idea about the script's supposed overall purpose by watching the alternate British ending, which was not shown in the USA (the original British title was "Single-Handed"). Deficiencies of message aside, this is a memorable combat film that apparently cost a King's ransom to produce. It's a simple tale, compellingly told.
