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The Silver Fleet (1943)

The Silver Fleet (1943)

Drama War

The truth is that a Nation will only live as long as it has people ready to die

Release Date: 1943, June 16
Directors: Vernon Sewell, Gordon Wellesley
Countries: United Kingdom
Production: The Archers, General Film Distributors, Royal Navy, Royal Netherland Government
Cast: John Longden, Ivor Barnard, Kathleen Byron, Ralph Richardson, Dorothy Gordon, Valentine Dyall, Esmond Knight, Googie Withers, Anthony Eustrel, Charles Victor, Philip Leaver, Beresford Egan

Overview:

The Silver Fleet was inspired by a true story from World War II. Holland now under German occupation, a Shipyard owner and Chief engineer Jaap van Leyden is summoned to build ships for the German war effort. The commission would allow Leyden to build sophisticated submarines whilst safeguarding jobs for the local Dutch workforce. A newly built U-boat, named U107 goes out on her first sea trial and is hijacked by a Dutch crew and they re-route the vessel to England. As such it provided an opportunity to refuel patriotism in the face of a seemingly interminable war and almost unbearable civilian hardship.

Keywords:

submarine sabotage patriotism nazi occupation war propaganda nazi collaborationism dutch resistance british cinema shipbuilding nazi occupied netherlands waterfront