The Silver Fleet is a British World War II film released in 1943, directed by Vernon Sewell and Gordon Wellesley. The film tells the story of Jaap van Leyden (Ralph Richardson), a Dutch businessman who decides to use his yacht-building skills to aid the British war effort.

Jaap’s plan is to build a secret submarine base for the British in occupied Holland. With the help of his loyal employees, he converts his shipyard into a front for the resistance movement. They use the cover of building luxury yachts for the Germans to secretly construct a fleet of submarines for the British.

However, the Gestapo begins to suspect Jaap’s activities, and he is arrested and interrogated. But even under torture, Jaap refuses to reveal the truth about his work. Meanwhile, his wife Helene (Googie Withers) and his employees carry on his mission, risking their lives to complete the construction of the submarines and get them safely to the waiting British Navy.

In the end, the submarines are launched successfully and destroy a German battleship, earning Jaap and his team the gratitude of the British Admiralty. The film ends with Jaap receiving a knighthood for his bravery and ingenuity in the face of danger.

Directors:
Vernon Sewell, Gordon Wellesley

Writer:
Vernon Sewell, Gordon Wellesley, Emeric Pressburger

Stars:
Ralph Richardson, Googie Withers, Esmond Knight

“Aerial Gunner” is a World War II film released in 1943, directed by William H. Pine and starring Richard Arlen and Chester Morris. The film tells the story of a group of aerial gunners who are sent on a mission to bomb a Japanese base in the Philippines.

The film begins with the introduction of the main character, Sergeant Johnny Cates (played by Richard Arlen), who is a veteran aerial gunner. Cates is assigned to a new crew, led by Captain Jeff Young (played by Chester Morris), and together they embark on a dangerous mission to bomb a Japanese base in the Philippines.

As they make their way to the base, the crew encounters various challenges, including enemy fire and mechanical difficulties. Despite these obstacles, they manage to successfully drop their bombs and return to their base.

However, the crew soon discovers that their mission was not as successful as they had thought, and they must return to the Philippines to finish the job. This time, they face even greater challenges, including a Japanese fighter pilot who is determined to take them down.

In the end, the crew manages to complete their mission and return safely to their base. The film ends with Cates and his crew receiving praise for their bravery and skill, and with a message of hope for victory in the war.

Directors:
William H. Pine

Writer:
Maxwell Shane, Jack F. Dailey

Stars:
Richard Arlen, Chester Morris, Amelita Ward

“In Which We Serve” is a British wartime drama film released in 1942. It was directed by Noël Coward and David Lean and starred Noël Coward himself, along with John Mills, Bernard Miles, and Celia Johnson. The film tells the story of the crew of HMS Torrin, a British destroyer that is sunk during the Battle of Crete in 1941.

The film opens with the sinking of the Torrin, and then flashes back to tell the story of the ship and her crew. The ship is commanded by Captain Edward Kinross (Noël Coward), who is a strict but fair leader. The crew includes Ordinary Seaman “Shorty” Blake (John Mills), Seaman Freda Lewis (Celia Johnson), and Stoker Petty Officer “Ali” Hakim (Bernard Miles), among others.

Through a series of flashbacks, we see the crew members’ personal lives and how they came to be on the Torrin. We see the ship’s training exercises and its deployment to the Mediterranean, where it participates in the Battle of Crete. During the battle, the Torrin is hit by a bomb and sinks, but the surviving crew members are rescued.

The film ends with the crew back on shore, reflecting on their experiences and their comrades who did not make it back. In the final scene, Captain Kinross addresses the families of the fallen crew members, telling them that their loved ones “died in a service they loved and understood.”

The film was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for several Academy Awards. It is widely considered a classic of British cinema and is noted for its patriotic message and portrayal of the courage and sacrifice of the British Navy during World War II.

Directors:
Noël Coward, David Lean

Writer:
Noël Coward

Stars:
Noël Coward, John Mills, Bernard Miles

“Go for Broke!” is a 1951 war film directed by Robert Pirosh and starring Van Johnson, who plays the role of Lt. Michael Grayson. The movie tells the story of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a segregated unit of Japanese-American soldiers who fought for the United States during World War II.

The movie follows Lt. Grayson as he is assigned to lead the 442nd Infantry Regiment, made up entirely of Japanese-American soldiers. Despite initial skepticism from his superiors, Lt. Grayson quickly learns to respect and admire the soldiers under his command.

The soldiers of the 442nd face discrimination both at home and on the battlefield. They are initially treated with suspicion and mistrust by their fellow soldiers and face prejudice from civilians back home. However, they remain committed to their mission and determined to prove their loyalty to the United States.

As the war progresses, the soldiers of the 442nd face intense combat in Italy. They are tasked with some of the most dangerous and difficult missions of the war, including a mission to rescue a lost battalion of American soldiers. The soldiers of the 442nd prove their bravery and determination in the face of overwhelming odds.

The movie’s title, “Go for Broke,” is a phrase that was commonly used by the soldiers of the 442nd, meaning to give it your all, to risk everything, to leave nothing on the table. The movie is a tribute to the soldiers of the 442nd Infantry Regiment and their remarkable achievements despite facing discrimination and prejudice.

“Go for Broke” is considered a landmark film for its portrayal of Japanese-American soldiers and its message of tolerance and inclusion. It was one of the first Hollywood films to feature Asian-American actors in lead roles and helped to raise awareness of the contributions and sacrifices of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Directors:
Robert Pirosh

Writer:
Robert Pirosh

Stars:
Van Johnson, Lane Nakano, George Miki

“The Way Ahead” is a 1944 British war film directed by Carol Reed and starring David Niven, Stanley Holloway, and William Hartnell. The movie tells the story of a group of civilians who are recruited to join the British Army during World War II and their journey from basic training to the front lines.

The movie begins with a group of mismatched and untrained civilians who are drafted into the Army. They are unsure of what lies ahead and struggle to adjust to military life. However, with the guidance of their tough but fair sergeant (played by Niven), they begin to learn the skills and discipline necessary to become soldiers.

As they progress through training, the soldiers begin to form bonds of camaraderie and mutual respect. They face challenges such as physical training, weapon drills, and live-fire exercises, but they also learn important lessons about leadership, teamwork, and sacrifice.

Eventually, the soldiers are deployed to North Africa, where they face their first taste of combat against the German Army. They must rely on their training and each other to survive and complete their mission.

“The Way Ahead” is a patriotic and uplifting film that celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of ordinary people in times of war. It was made with the support of the British Army and was intended to boost morale during the difficult years of the war. The movie’s message is that everyone has a part to play in the war effort and that by working together, people can achieve great things.

Directors:
Carol Reed

Writer:
Eric Ambler, Peter Ustinov

Stars:
David Niven, Stanley Holloway, James Donald