Run Silent, Run Deep
Short description
In the Pacific during the Second World War, the American submarine commanded by Richardson is sunk by a Japanese destroyer, and Richardson is among the few who survive. Back ashore and given a desk assignment, he is later handed command of another boat, the Nerka, even though its crew expected the popular first officer, Jim Bledsoe, to get the post. Richardson is determined to hunt down the destroyer that sank his previous vessel, and he drills the men hard, focusing on rapid dives and other manoeuvres. The training breeds resentment, and the tension between Richardson and Bledsoe builds as the ship prepares to face the enemy again.
Robert Wise directed the film, the sixth of the thirteen he made, between Somebody Up There Likes Me and West Side Story. Clark Gable plays Richardson and Burt Lancaster plays Bledsoe; Jack Warden, Brad Dexter, Don Rickles and Nick Cravat appear among the twenty-five credited cast members. John Gay wrote the screenplay, and Harold Hecht and James Hill produced for United Artists with Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions and Jeffrey Pictures Corp.
A 93-minute drama and war film released in March 1958, it holds a rating of 7.3 from around 15,000 votes on IMDb and 7 on TMDB from a much smaller number of votes. A critics' rating of 7.7 from thirteen reviews places it slightly above the audience scores.
What's left behind the scenes
- Relations between Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster (1913-1994) were strained during filming, particularly due to Lancaster's frequent jokes about Gable's age. The plot called for Lancaster, playing the role of the executive officer, to take command of the submarine at one point. Gable flatly refused to participate in this scene, stating that this plot point conflicted with the image he had cultivated on screen for over 20 years. The actor’s strike lasted two days. He returned to the set only after being informed that the plot had been changed, and his character fell ill, temporarily transferring command to the executive officer.
- At the request of director Robert Wise (1914-2005), the actors underwent training under the guidance of real submariners.
- Upon release, the film received numerous rave reviews and praise for its accurate depiction of everyday life aboard a submarine in combat conditions, but some critics nevertheless noted that Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster's age did not correspond to the average age of senior submarine officers during World War II.
- Models were used to depict the movement of submarines underwater in exterior shots. Such special effects were considered very advanced for that time.
- Actor Frank Gorshin was originally supposed to audition for the role of Sergeant Ruby. Gorshin refused to fly, deciding to get to the location by car, but was involved in an accident. The actor, with a head injury, ended up in the hospital, and the role went to Don Rickles.
- Clark Gable (1901-1960) played Edward L. Beach Jr. (1918-2002), a submarine captain who was only 23 years old during the events depicted in the film.
- Actor Frank Gorshin (1933-2005) was originally slated to audition for the role of Chief Ruby. Gorshin refused to fly, deciding to travel by car, but was involved in an accident. The actor, with a head injury, was hospitalized, and the role went to Don Rickles (1926-2017).
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
