Sink the Bismarck (1960)

Introduction

Sink the Bismarck! is a tightly constructed, intelligently scripted WWII naval war film that combines factual detail with dramatic urgency. Released in 1960 and directed by Lewis Gilbert (who would later direct You Only Live Twice and Educating Rita), the film stands as one of the most accurate and compelling dramatizations of a major naval engagement of the Second World War.

Far from being a Hollywood-style explosion fest, Sink the Bismarck! is more cerebral and sober than many of its contemporaries. It tells the story of the Royal Navy’s pursuit and destruction of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941—a turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic—and presents it as a strategic, high-stakes chess match between Allied intelligence and the formidable Kriegsmarine.

Historical Background

The Bismarck was the pride of Nazi Germany’s navy, a modern battleship with unmatched firepower and protection. In May 1941, the Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen embarked on Operation Rheinübung, a breakout into the Atlantic to destroy Allied shipping.

The mission turned into a dramatic naval cat-and-mouse chase, culminating in the sinking of HMS Hood, the Royal Navy’s most powerful battlecruiser, with the loss of all but three of her crew. The British Admiralty immediately launched a full-scale hunt for the Bismarck, which eventually led to its sinking on May 27, 1941.

Plot Overview

Sink the Bismarck! dramatizes these events through a dual narrative structure: the strategic planning within the British Admiralty’s operations room, and the action unfolding at sea.

Kenneth More stars as Captain Jonathan Shepard, a fictionalized character inspired by actual figures such as Captain Gilbert Stephenson and Admiral John Tovey. He is newly appointed to lead the Admiralty’s Operations Division and must make rapid decisions under immense pressure.

Dana Wynter plays WRNS officer Anne Davis, who assists Shepard in the operations room and becomes a subtle emotional anchor to the narrative.

On the German side, Karel Štěpánek plays Admiral Günther Lütjens, portrayed as a loyal Nazi ideologue guiding the Bismarck’s mission.

The film follows the Bismarck’s breakout, the destruction of the Hood, the relentless pursuit by British forces, and the eventual crippling of the German battleship via air and sea attacks. Intercut with these events are scenes of tension and strategy in London, highlighting the bureaucratic pressure and human cost of high command decisions.

Performances

Kenneth More as Captain Jonathan Shepard. More delivers a restrained but commanding performance. His portrayal of Shepard is that of a haunted, professional officer—one burdened by personal loss in war, and wary of making emotionally driven decisions. More doesn’t shout or swagger; he leads through quiet resolve, adding depth to a character who could have been a simple archetype.

Dana Wynter as Anne Davis. Wynter gives a subtle, understated performance as Shepard’s assistant. Their relationship is professional, but with growing mutual respect and emotional undercurrents. Her calm demeanour balances Shepard’s internal turmoil, and while her role may seem minor in terms of plot, she serves as a moral and emotional sounding board.

Karel Štěpánek as Admiral Lütjens. Štěpánek portrays Lütjens as cold, mechanical, and fanatically loyal to Hitler. This portrayal has sparked criticism over historical accuracy—Lütjens was reportedly more professional and reserved in real life—but as a dramatic foil, he works effectively as a representation of rigid ideology versus the more flexible, humane British approach.

Carl Möhner as Captain Lindemann (Bismarck’s captain). A smaller but important role. Lindemann is portrayed as a loyal officer, trapped between duty and doubt—a contrast to Lütjens’ rigidness.

Direction and Tone

Lewis Gilbert’s direction emphasizes realism and tension over spectacle. His background in character-driven drama comes through in the film’s focus on psychological strain, decision-making under pressure, and the “war of nerves” between commanders. There are battle scenes, but they’re not glamorized; they’re brief, impactful, and often tragic.

The tone is grim and restrained—no rah-rah heroism here. The focus is on responsibility, logic, and the tension between duty and emotion. Gilbert’s choice to intercut scenes of high command with the sailors on the frontlines creates a compelling contrast that highlights the vast scale of naval warfare and the consequences of strategy.

Cinematography and Effects

For a 1960 production, Sink the Bismarck! holds up well visually. The black-and-white cinematography by Christopher Challis adds a documentary-like texture to the film. The use of actual naval vessels and models is seamlessly integrated with stock footage from WWII, giving the film a level of authenticity that’s rare in the genre.

The battle scenes are not overly graphic, but they convey chaos, power, and loss—particularly the destruction of the Hood, which is presented with reverence and shock.

Despite budget limitations, the miniature work and sea-based photography are impressive and were state-of-the-art at the time. The aerial torpedo attacks by the Swordfish biplanes are particularly tense and well-crafted.

Script and Structure

Edmund H. North’s screenplay is methodical and intelligent, often eschewing melodrama for realism. The film is dialogue-heavy, but never boring. It respects the audience’s intelligence and focuses on the gravity of wartime decision-making. There are no cartoonish villains or improbable subplots.

The fictional characters—Shepard and Davis—serve to humanize the story, and while their character arcs are modest, they provide emotional depth without distracting from the main historical thrust.

Score and Sound Design

Clifton Parker’s score is stately, evocative, and sombre. It enhances the mood without overwhelming it. The music is especially effective in the scenes of loss and triumph, such as the sinking of the Hood and the final moments of the Bismarck. The sound design, from naval gunfire to the drone of aircraft engines, is convincing and immersive.

Themes and Legacy

Sink the Bismarck! is about more than just a naval chase—it’s a film about leadership under pressure, the morality of war, and the technological evolution of warfare. It contrasts human intelligence against brute force, and shows how one ship could alter the course of a global conflict.

The film also explores:

The tension between human intuition and data-driven warfare.

The psychological toll of command, especially in wartime bureaucracy.

The irony of advanced German engineering falling prey to outdated biplanes and strategic missteps.

Its influence is visible in later naval and military films, from The Hunt for Red October to Das Boot, which also balance claustrophobic tension with character drama.

Historical Accuracy

While the film gets many facts right—the route of the Bismarck, the loss of the Hood, the damage from torpedoes—it compresses timelines and simplifies some of the complexities of naval warfare for cinematic effect.

Notably:

The real Admiral Tovey’s role is minimized.

Lütjens’ personality is arguably misrepresented.

Certain events are dramatized for impact, such as the final torpedo hits.

However, these changes are minor compared to the film’s overall respect for the true story and the people involved.

Weaknesses

A few characters, particularly on the German side, are thinly drawn or stereotyped.

Some special effects, though excellent for their time, show their age.

The pacing may feel slow to viewers expecting action-heavy war films.

Black-and-white visuals might deter modern audiences used to colour spectacles.

Final Verdict

Sink the Bismarck! is a masterfully crafted, intelligent, and respectful war film that offers suspense, realism, and human drama without succumbing to bombast. It’s one of the best naval war films ever made, a standout in British war cinema, and an essential watch for anyone interested in WWII history.

Its unique focus on strategy, leadership, and consequence over carnage makes it all the more powerful—and its legacy continues to ripple across war films to this day.