The Battle of the River Plate

Some excellent stuff here but I couldn't get past the pretend Graf Spee. Good cast.

Not exactly rip-roaring, as the pace is leisurely, but an OK enough way to while away an afternoon.

The portrait of captains of enemy ships as charismatic gentlemen from the Nelson era matching their skills in naval warfare has a lot of potential, but the film fails to take advantage of it. Felt too long and rather on the boring side.

Lacking the spark which makes The Archers' work so distinct, with none of the sly wit, loaded characterizations, or uncanny designs of their best films. In fact it's rather genteel and ordinary. And though it takes an entire third of its runtime to get going, it does eventually become an exhilarating action-adventure and impressive production, with an eye for the details of military hardware and strategic maneuver, capturing the scope of vast seas and gigantic warships with grand perspective.

In the tradition of Powell & Pressburger films that are slightly weird, this doesn't quite feel like any other war movie. Each act is quite leisurely, and the phrase that comes to mind is "too British." Very stodgy and stiff upper lip, with sailors in dire situations pausing to let loose with a few dry quips. It's just odd. And kind of dull. But it's beautifully photographed and the themes are sometimes interesting, especially in comparison with Grand Illusion. Still, it's hardly top-tier P&P.

Excellent.