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Western Approaches is a Technicolor 1944 docufiction film directed by Pat Jackson.
It is the fictional account of 22 sailors adrift in a lifeboat. They are able to signal by Morse code their position. A nearby U-boat receives the signal along with a friendly vessel which changes course to go to their rescue. The captain of the U-Boat decides to wait in ambush with its two remaining torpedoes. Before the rescue ship arrives, the U-Boat's periscope is spotted by the lifeboat. The U-Boat fires its torpedoes just as the rescue vessel is alerted to the U-Boat's presence.
Much of it was shot in the Irish Sea. Sailors rather than professional actors were used.
Trade papers reported that the film among those "doing well" at the British box office in 1945.
Original Release
12/02/1944
US Release
09/27/1946
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Eric Fullerton | Convoy Commodore |
Duncan MacKenzie | Convoy Naval Captain |
W. Kerr | Convoy Naval Captain |
Eric Baskeyfield | Chief Officer on Leander |
Dick Longford | Wireless Officer on Leander |
Bart Wadham | Wireless Officer on Leander |
H.S. Hills | Gunner on Leander |
Pat Jackson | Gun Crew Officer on Leander |
P.J. Pyecraft | Lifeboat Captain |
Chief Engineer Russell | Lifeboat Chief Engineer |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Eric Fullerton | Convoy Commodore |
Duncan MacKenzie | Convoy Naval Captain |
W. Kerr | Convoy Naval Captain |
Eric Baskeyfield | Chief Officer on Leander |
Dick Longford | Wireless Officer on Leander |
Bart Wadham | Wireless Officer on Leander |
H.S. Hills | Gunner on Leander |
Pat Jackson | Gun Crew Officer on Leander |
P.J. Pyecraft | Lifeboat Captain |
Chief Engineer Russell | Lifeboat Chief Engineer |
Fred Armistead | Lifeboat Steward |
Jim Redmond | Sparks |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Ian Dalrymple | Producer |