Above Us The Waves (1955)

Overview

Above Us the Waves is a 1955 British war film that dramatizes one of the most daring and inventive naval missions of the Second World War: the use of midget submarines (X-Craft) to attack the German battleship Tirpitz in a Norwegian fjord.

Directed by Ralph Thomas and featuring a cast of quintessential mid-century British talent—most notably John Mills—the film is a measured, patriotic, and technically fascinating exploration of courage under water.

While it never quite reaches the emotional heights of other British WWII dramas like The Cruel Sea (1953), Above Us the Waves excels as a methodical, respectful homage to naval ingenuity and bravery. Its blend of stoic heroism, technical realism, and taut submarine sequences offers a compelling portrait of a little-known but critically important wartime operation.

Historical Context

The real-life Operation Source, carried out in 1943, was aimed at disabling the Tirpitz, sister ship of the infamous Bismarck, which posed a constant threat to Allied convoys in the North Atlantic. British naval planners, unable to reach the ship with traditional bombing raids or torpedo attacks, devised an audacious plan to send crews in tiny, manually-operated submarines deep into enemy-controlled fjords.

The film was based on the 1953 nonfiction account by C.E.T. Warren and James Benson, and it adheres closely to the real events, capturing both the daring and difficulty of such a mission.

Plot Summary

The narrative follows Commander Fraser (played by John Mills) as he lobbies the Royal Navy for a chance to employ experimental midget submarines against the Tirpitz. Initially rebuffed by the Admiralty, Fraser and his team eventually receive permission to proceed. The film shifts focus to the intense training and selection process, narrowing in on three X-Craft crews who will carry out the mission.

Much of the film's tension is not from combat but from preparation: the psychological and physical challenges of manoeuvring these tiny subs, the constant technical malfunctions, and the terrifying prospect of being trapped beneath the waves. The third act brings the climactic attack, a taut, suspenseful sequence that shows the X-Craft navigating minefields, nets, and sonar detection systems in a final push toward their target.

Performances

John Mills delivers another of his trademark performances as the calm, quietly determined leader. His Fraser is intelligent, humble, and fiercely committed to his men and mission. Mills imbues the character with a gravity that anchors the film.

Donald Sinden, as Lt. Alec Duffy, provides charisma and lightness, balancing the more restrained performances with a sense of camaraderie and humanity.

John Gregson, playing another X-Craft commander, brings his usual likeability and realism, showcasing the toll the mission takes on the men beneath the surface.

James Robertson Justice appears in a small but effective role as an admiral, lending gravitas and a bit of the blustery authority he was known for.

The ensemble cast as a whole performs with a quiet dignity that reflects the British war film tradition of the time—understated, respectful, and devoid of melodrama.

Direction & Cinematography

Ralph Thomas, best known for his later work on the Doctor comedy series, handles the material with surprising restraint and attention to detail. The direction is confident, particularly during the underwater sequences, which are rendered with impressive tension despite the limited technology of the era.

Geoffrey Unsworth's cinematography is practical but atmospheric, particularly in the submarine interiors, which feel authentically cramped and claustrophobic. Exterior sequences—shots of the Norwegian fjords, naval bases, and open seas—help expand the scale, lending the film a strong sense of place.

Production Design & Realism

One of the film’s strengths is its dedication to technical realism. The design of the midget subs, the procedures for diving and resurfacing, and the depiction of naval operations are meticulously rendered.

For its time, Above Us the Waves was among the more accurate naval films in terms of equipment and tactics. Though it lacks the raw intensity of modern submarine films like Das Boot or Crimson Tide, the film’s methodical pacing and attention to procedural detail give it a documentary-like authenticity. The submarine interiors are convincingly claustrophobic, emphasizing the danger faced by the crews.

Themes

At its heart, Above Us the Waves is about innovation, duty, and the quiet heroism of men doing what they must. Unlike many war films, it avoids overt sentimentality or nationalist bravado. Instead, it reflects the traditional British war-film ethos: valour as a matter of quiet professionalism, not spectacle.

The film also subtly explores the psychological impact of submarine warfare—the isolation, the sensory deprivation, and the mental fortitude required to carry out such a mission.

Music

The score by Malcolm Arnold is stirring but restrained, supporting the film’s mood without overwhelming it. Arnold, who would go on to win an Oscar for The Bridge on the River Kwai, crafts a fitting accompaniment here—subtly patriotic, dignified, and reflective of the tone of the film.

Reception & Legacy

At the time of its release, Above Us the Waves was well received by critics and audiences alike. It was a box office success in the UK and bolstered the already considerable wartime filmography of John Mills. The film is often overlooked today in favour of more explosive or emotionally driven war dramas, but it remains an important entry in British war cinema.

It serves as an excellent counterpoint to the larger-than-life portrayals of WWII heroics found in Hollywood contemporaries. Instead of brashness and bombast, it offers thoughtfulness and restraint, mirroring the real-life ethos of the servicemen it portrays.

Final Verdict

Above Us the Waves is a technically impressive, emotionally grounded, and thoroughly respectful tribute to one of the Royal Navy’s most daring operations. While it may lack the emotional fireworks or visual polish of modern war films, its quiet intensity, historical accuracy, and excellent performances—especially from John Mills—make it a classic of British military cinema.

For fans of understated wartime drama, naval history, or submarine films, Above Us the Waves is essential viewing—a moving reminder that sometimes, the greatest battles are fought not in the skies or trenches, but in silence, deep beneath the sea.