This is a new war movie based on the novel "The Outstanding Shepherd". Starring and writing is my favorite star Tom Hanks. He has recovered from his injuries since saving Private Ryan, joined the Brotherhood in the Pacific War, and now that Europe is tight, he was transferred to the Fletcher-class destroyer "Greyhound" as captain and became Lieutenant Colonel Crow He led three destroyers and a frigate to escort the merchant fleet across the Atlantic. In the "black hole" in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, he dealt with the German U-shaped submarine, with rough seas and dangers, and fought several battles. Sunk four submarines. The Allies lost seven merchant ships and one destroyer, and their own ship also won the prize.
The film is set in early 1942. The situation at the time was that the United States was not ready to participate in the war at the beginning of the war. Although it had already drawn up a plan to support the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom with materials through the Atlantic Ocean, there was no sound escort system. After the war, U.S. Navy Capt. Roskill recalled: "The enemy has attacked in ways we have never encountered, and we are not tactically or technically prepared to defend against it." Mid-Atlantic Region , located outside the air warning circle in the Strait of Gibraltar, and outside the combat radius of the air patrol aircraft based on the British mainland, knowing that there is no air cover and forming a huge "black hole", they can only drill inside. What the film describes is what happened in these days in the "black hole".
The feature of the film is real. Because of the reality, there is no deliberately created dramatic conflict in the usual film, just a straightforward description of the battle; there is no deep characterization, no time for small literature and art, no time to be affectionate, and no time to shout "Democratic Party members" Come with me!" In the third battle, under the command of Klaus, a submarine was sunk, and before he and the crew's cheers reached their lips, another submarine suddenly rushed over. Klaus hurriedly hurried into another battle. Klaus led his escort formation. In the battle with the U-boat, the two sides encountered almost all forms of war: reconnaissance, surveillance, offense, defense, encirclement, detour, encounter, fraud, sneak attack, and wounded. , burial of the dead, rescue, passwords, continuous fighting, targeting for air fire. etc. What we hear the most in the entire film is those naval terms. Although I don't understand it, I can feel that this is how orders are issued and executed on the real battlefield. The enemy situation on the ship is sudden in an instant. At this time, both technically and tactically, Klaus needs to make a judgment and make up his mind in the shortest possible time. What his subordinates do is to replace his. Eyes ears legs and arms. And he is the brain of the whole ship. Whenever a situation arises, many pairs of eyes are staring at him, expecting that they will entrust their everything, including their lives, to Klaus. He couldn't count on anyone to make up his mind for him, let alone the slightest hesitation. At such a time, a commander should have full confidence in his own abilities and experience, and be obliged to take responsibility. All his subordinates can do is to have complete trust in the commander. In the middle of the battle, Claus said to Deputy Captain Charlie: "If I was smarter yesterday, I wouldn't have to take this risk now." Charlie replied: "Your actions yesterday made us live to this day." I remember when I was in the army At the time, the head of the regiment also said to us: "When you meet a good leader, you can live a few more days." This kind of discourse is the current situation of those leaders who are constantly "researching, discussing and discussing". Unimaginable anyway.
There are some touching little details in the film. After several days of fighting, Klaus kept moving in the small space of the ship, and his feet were worn out, so he put on a Christmas gift from his girlfriend: a pair of slippers with his name prefixed in monograms, and continued fight. Let the audience think: military medals, each has half. During the battle, the messenger suddenly sneezed while reciting the sonar report. At this time, the sailor warned him: "If you commit another crime, you will be changed." The sailor made a lot of sense. In such a tense naval battle, there is no delay in conveying orders, and of course sneezing is not allowed. This is very real. During the naval battle, the ship was shot, and three people, including the catering manager Cleveland, died. Cleveland was a black man. Under the background of racial discrimination in the United States at that time, he could only be engaged in the post of auxiliary soldier on the ship. But he was conscientious and made delicious meals. And kept urging Klaus to eat. He and Klaus respected each other so much that after his sacrifice, the new cook brought the meal, and Klaus still subconsciously said, "Thank you, Cleveland."
One thing I don't quite understand: When it was detected that the submarine was attacking from the left front, Klaus issued the password of full right rudder, completely exposing the port side of his ship to the other party. Why is this? To escape? For detour? Ask military fans.
Judging from the record, the "Greyhound" is definitely the winner, but judging from the escort mission it undertakes, it is at best a draw with the German submarine. Although a "wolf pack" was eliminated and some hidden dangers in the Atlantic Ocean were reduced; but the small size of the U-boat was exchanged for the huge body of a large merchant ship, and the Germans made a lot of money. The 7:4 score doesn't explain much.
From a strategic point of view, the Battle of the Atlantic was a tonnage war, and both the offensive and defensive sides could speak for themselves. The Allied forces could say that although U-shaped submarines were useless in the military, they could make up for it economically. You sink my ship and I can rebuild it, and if you destroy my supplies, I can reproduce it. See who can survive who. And the German army can also say that these constant harassment and attacks are strangling the economic lifeline of the Allied forces. Sinking one would make Britain one more difficult. In fact, since the outbreak of World War II, German submarines have always held the initiative in the battle of the Atlantic. In 1942 alone, the average monthly destruction of the Allied fleet reached 500,000 tons. This situation did not improve until after 1943, when the US escort aircraft carrier joined the escort formation.
The film appears to be based on several battles in August 1942, rather than in the early spring of that year. The Fletcher-class destroyers were launched into service only after March. At the beginning of the year, most of the range of German U-boats was off the coast of the United States, not in the mid-Atlantic.
The picture of the film is beautiful. Computer-generated visions of oceans and fleets are grand and real. Especially the gorgeous Northern Lights, beautiful!
The whole film, because of its authenticity, will surely arouse great interest among military fans. However, from the perspective of film art, I personally feel that there are obvious shortcomings. Lack of fun. This film is somewhat similar to another film I've seen, 2009's Escort Chance. It also has high ratings in the United States, which is strange. Maybe it's because we think differently from Americans.
My rating: 7.0.
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