Tempers flare as the tensions mount as a Sub Commander (Clark Gable) goes rogue trying to get vengeance for his destroyed sub and its fallen crew. The only person standing in his way is his recently demoted XO (Burt Lancaster). Run Silent, Run Deep is 90 minutes of contained claustrophobic drama when the interpersonal drama is as haute as the action set pieces is where this film finds itself.
Director Robert Wise gives the entire film a lean and economical no-frills style that aids in the tension and action of the piece. Wise also is able to create within those conditions room for the human drama of the story. There is never a time where Run Silent, Run Deep isn’t delving into not just the issues between the Commander and XO but the various crew members (both Officer and Enlisted crew). Actors like Don Rickels, Jack Warden, and Brad Dexter aren’t just background actors but given fully realized characters.
Gable and Lancaster as expected are excellent here as the officers with dueling ideals. It’s fascinating to see how each approaches their characters. One can see it as a real-life faceoff between two superstars – at the time – and as a great matchup for this story. One can see that Lancaster is the one who benefits more from Gable’s persona than vice-versa. Though seeing Gable’s surly Commander bark orders at men and Lancaster is still a thrill sixty years later.
Making Run Silent, Run Deep’s focus more on the conflict between the commanding officers is such an adroit bit of storytelling acumen that Tony Scott’s masterpiece Crimson Tide would not only whole-heartedly steal it but manage to reference the film (thanks Quentin for being obvious). Though make no mistake once the film’s action scenes begin the film excels as only the best Submarine thrillers do. In the tension of the unknown and playing a chess game with an opponent you don’t see.
Run Silent, Run Deep is a Submarine Thriller of the highest order. One that any fan of the subgenre should see immediately if they haven’t, or revisit if they have.
The Transfer
This transfer is a wonderfully astute representation of the Black and White grainy stark photography by Russell Harlan. The Black and White image is clear with wonderful subtle contrast levels and black detail – which thankfully doesn’t crush the blacks in any way. The grain creates a wonderful look of a documentary inside of a submarine adding to the sheen of sweat the crewmen constantly have on their faces as they struggle to eck out a win. Kino has pushed the limitations of what’s possible with a Blu-ray transfer. One will be shocked at how great it looks. The only way that the film could look even more strikingly cinematic is if Kino were to release a 4K disc with a full-on restoration (which research indicates this isn’t). Bravo to Kino giving this the upgrade it needed.
The Extras
They include the following;
NEW Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell and Combat Films: American Realism Author Steven Jay Rubin
Theatrical Trailer
The all-new Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell and Combat Films: American Realism Author Steven Jay Rubin begins with their qualifications and how this is a continued look at war films. Some of the other details include the origins of the film – how UA approached Hetch/Lancaster to produced and star in, and how this was in the wake of the box office failure The Sweet Smell of Success; how Clark Gable became involved – at Lancaster’s request; both Mitchell and Rubin’s personal accounts of seeing the film; the strangeness of the era’s War films and how much older the actors were that isn’t accurate; a side conversation about WW2 TV series; the way Lancaster and the production insisted on more reality when it came to production design; the lack of “stock footage” and the sub footage both real and miniature were done specifically for the film; a discussion about WW2 Submarine forces effectiveness in the Pacific Theater; Delmar Davies was up for the directing assignment; the Submarine subgenre and the various actor that starred in them; a discussion of director Robert Wise’s career – including his origins and rise through the ranks in Hollywood beginning as an editor; the development on the script and during production as well; the use of a real life submarine – including some anecdotes from Lancaster and Gable in their research on the subject; a larger discussion of Gable’s personal and professional career – including his military service; a larger discussion of the miniature work done on the film – how and where it was accomplished; how the Navy provided much of the “equipment” to accomplish the realism; the Franz Waxman score; a detailed discussion about the life and career of Burt Lancaster – including discussion of his production company; the work of military advisor Admiral McGreggor – and a side conversation about McGreggor’s qualifications; the building of the set and the accuracy they would adhere to – taking four months to build; the SFX/miniature work done by Lidecker and Associates – including how some of the great visuals were accomplished; a discussion of the life and career of Robert Wise and his directorial style on this film; films that Run Silent, Run Deep inspired including a huge Sci-Fi sequel of the 1980s; and much more. Another winning commentary track from Mitchell and Rubin delves into the production, the creatives, and the realism within the film.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Run Silent, Run Deep (3:02); The Train (4:26); Fixed Bayonets! (2:37); Paths of Glory (3:03); Attack! (2:31); Time Limit (3:16); I want to live! (2:12); Odds Against Tomorrow (3:05)
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber has provided another great updated special edition for a Classic Hollywood War Film. Highest Recommendations!
Robert Wise directs Clark Cable and Burt Lancaster in the tense Submarine thriller Run Silent, Run Deep. Kino Lorber’s delivers a great upgraded Blu-ray Special Edition.
The Film
Tempers flare as the tensions mount as a Sub Commander (Clark Gable) goes rogue trying to get vengeance for his destroyed sub and its fallen crew. The only person standing in his way is his recently demoted XO (Burt Lancaster). Run Silent, Run Deep is 90 minutes of contained claustrophobic drama when the interpersonal drama is as haute as the action set pieces is where this film finds itself.
Director Robert Wise gives the entire film a lean and economical no-frills style that aids in the tension and action of the piece. Wise also is able to create within those conditions room for the human drama of the story. There is never a time where Run Silent, Run Deep isn’t delving into not just the issues between the Commander and XO but the various crew members (both Officer and Enlisted crew). Actors like Don Rickels, Jack Warden, and Brad Dexter aren’t just background actors but given fully realized characters.
Gable and Lancaster as expected are excellent here as the officers with dueling ideals. It’s fascinating to see how each approaches their characters. One can see it as a real-life faceoff between two superstars – at the time – and as a great matchup for this story. One can see that Lancaster is the one who benefits more from Gable’s persona than vice-versa. Though seeing Gable’s surly Commander bark orders at men and Lancaster is still a thrill sixty years later.
Making Run Silent, Run Deep’s focus more on the conflict between the commanding officers is such an adroit bit of storytelling acumen that Tony Scott’s masterpiece Crimson Tide would not only whole-heartedly steal it but manage to reference the film (thanks Quentin for being obvious). Though make no mistake once the film’s action scenes begin the film excels as only the best Submarine thrillers do. In the tension of the unknown and playing a chess game with an opponent you don’t see.
Run Silent, Run Deep is a Submarine Thriller of the highest order. One that any fan of the subgenre should see immediately if they haven’t, or revisit if they have.
The Transfer
This transfer is a wonderfully astute representation of the Black and White grainy stark photography by Russell Harlan. The Black and White image is clear with wonderful subtle contrast levels and black detail – which thankfully doesn’t crush the blacks in any way. The grain creates a wonderful look of a documentary inside of a submarine adding to the sheen of sweat the crewmen constantly have on their faces as they struggle to eck out a win. Kino has pushed the limitations of what’s possible with a Blu-ray transfer. One will be shocked at how great it looks. The only way that the film could look even more strikingly cinematic is if Kino were to release a 4K disc with a full-on restoration (which research indicates this isn’t). Bravo to Kino giving this the upgrade it needed.
The Extras
They include the following;
The all-new Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell and Combat Films: American Realism Author Steven Jay Rubin begins with their qualifications and how this is a continued look at war films. Some of the other details include the origins of the film – how UA approached Hetch/Lancaster to produced and star in, and how this was in the wake of the box office failure The Sweet Smell of Success; how Clark Gable became involved – at Lancaster’s request; both Mitchell and Rubin’s personal accounts of seeing the film; the strangeness of the era’s War films and how much older the actors were that isn’t accurate; a side conversation about WW2 TV series; the way Lancaster and the production insisted on more reality when it came to production design; the lack of “stock footage” and the sub footage both real and miniature were done specifically for the film; a discussion about WW2 Submarine forces effectiveness in the Pacific Theater; Delmar Davies was up for the directing assignment; the Submarine subgenre and the various actor that starred in them; a discussion of director Robert Wise’s career – including his origins and rise through the ranks in Hollywood beginning as an editor; the development on the script and during production as well; the use of a real life submarine – including some anecdotes from Lancaster and Gable in their research on the subject; a larger discussion of Gable’s personal and professional career – including his military service; a larger discussion of the miniature work done on the film – how and where it was accomplished; how the Navy provided much of the “equipment” to accomplish the realism; the Franz Waxman score; a detailed discussion about the life and career of Burt Lancaster – including discussion of his production company; the work of military advisor Admiral McGreggor – and a side conversation about McGreggor’s qualifications; the building of the set and the accuracy they would adhere to – taking four months to build; the SFX/miniature work done by Lidecker and Associates – including how some of the great visuals were accomplished; a discussion of the life and career of Robert Wise and his directorial style on this film; films that Run Silent, Run Deep inspired including a huge Sci-Fi sequel of the 1980s; and much more. Another winning commentary track from Mitchell and Rubin delves into the production, the creatives, and the realism within the film.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Run Silent, Run Deep (3:02); The Train (4:26); Fixed Bayonets! (2:37); Paths of Glory (3:03); Attack! (2:31); Time Limit (3:16); I want to live! (2:12); Odds Against Tomorrow (3:05)
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber has provided another great updated special edition for a Classic Hollywood War Film. Highest Recommendations!
Kino Lorber’s Blu-Ray edition of Run Silent, Run Deep is out now
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