The Battle of the River Plate (Original title)Pursuit of Graf Spee (Alternative title)
Dates: 1956 (Copyright), 24 December 1956 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Synopsis: Story of the battle between the British cruiser Commodore Harwood and the German pocket battleship Graf Spee, during the early days of World War II, in the South Atlantic.
Genre: War
Subjects: World War II, Battle of the River Plate, Royal Navy
Releases
Date: 1956Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - SoundRuntime: 117 mins Length: 10587 FeetDialogue (original): English
Date: 1956Country: United KingdomRelease type: RestorationFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Sound - Mono
Date: August 2015Country: United KingdomRelease type: InternetFormat: not specified - Colour - SoundRuntime: 119 mins Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: BFIPlayer
Title: Battle of the River PlateAuthor: COMBS, Richard Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE within the context of various reviews of Powell and Pressburger films giving the contemporary background of the film
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v51 n611 December 1984 Page: 392
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v51 n611 December 1984: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note on cuts in the film since its original release.
In: Kinematograph Weekly n2568 1 Nov 1956 Page: 20
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n2568 1 Nov 1956: no known title]Language: English
In: Sight and Sound v26 n3 Winter 1956/57 Page: 152
Title: [Sight and Sound - v26 n3 Winter 1956/57: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v23 n275 December 1956 Page: 148
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v23 n275 December 1956: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v87 n7640 30 Oct 1956 Page: 9
Title: [Today's Cinema - v87 n7640 30 Oct 1956: no known title]Language: English
In: Daily Film Renter n7244 30 Oct 1956 Page: 7
Title: [Daily Film Renter - n7244 30 Oct 1956: no known title]Language: English
Author: POWELL, Michael Pages: 192 pages
Description: Originally published by Hodder & Stoughton, 1956. Copy presented to the Library by Michael Powell, September, 1978.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(40)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: MOVProRes 422 - BFI identifier: N-9561663
Status: Viewing
Description: DVDBFI identifier: C-1446570
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Digital materials(3)
Description: MOVProRes 422 - BFI identifier: N-9561663
Status: Viewing
Description: WAVProRes 422 - BFI identifier: N-9561666
Status: Master
Description: WAVProRes 422 - BFI identifier: N-9561673
Status: Master
Video materials(2)
Description: DVDBFI identifier: C-1446570
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-376506
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Film materials(35)
Description: Base: SafetyBFI identifier: C-13202
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 200 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-516472
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour InterpositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 27 FeetStock date: 1998BFI identifier: C-1033531
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour InterpositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 61 FeetStock date: 1998BFI identifier: C-1033532
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour InterpositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 96 FeetStock date: 1998BFI identifier: C-1033533
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour InterpositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 573 FeetStock date: 1998BFI identifier: C-1033534
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: AcetateSound: CombinedLength: 21366 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13196
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 9955 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13201
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 10629 FeetStock date: 1955BFI identifier: C-913155
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedFeetStock date: 1982Stock date: 1980BFI identifier: C-1047156
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedStock date: 2022BFI identifier: N-9781492
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedStock date: 1998BFI identifier: N-9417969
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedStock date: 1998BFI identifier: N-9534440
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedStock date: 1998BFI identifier: N-9534442
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: AcetateSound: CombinedLength: 21318 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13199
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm Colour Reversal InternegativeBase: CTASound: MuteStock date: 1982BFI identifier: N-9417943
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: AcetateSound: MuteLength: 20905 FeetBFI identifier: C-13197
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 250 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-517851
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm InternegativeBase: PolyesterSound: MuteStock date: 1997Stock date: 1998BFI identifier: N-9417971
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm InternegativeBase: CTASound: MuteStock date: 1984BFI identifier: N-9418108
Status: On loan
Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: AcetateSound: MuteLength: 20905 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13198
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 250 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-517854
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: AcetateSound: SoundLength: 10764 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13195
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: SafetySound: SoundLength: 200 FeetStock date: 1957BFI identifier: C-517852
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 21397 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-764388
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original BW NegativeBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 1858 FeetBFI identifier: C-713484
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 10485 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-766442
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 249 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-766443
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 20927 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-960369
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 485 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-1047157
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 1858 FeetBFI identifier: C-713485
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm PositiveBase: SafetySound: MuteBFI identifier: N-9692411
Status: Master
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundStock date: 1982BFI identifier: N-9417964
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Yellow PromasterBase: AcetateSound: MuteLength: 20905 FeetBFI identifier: C-13200
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 250 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-517849
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Dates: 1956 (Copyright), 24 December 1956 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Synopsis: Story of the battle between the British cruiser Commodore Harwood and the German pocket battleship Graf Spee, during the early days of World War II, in the South Atlantic.
Genre: War
Subjects: World War II, Battle of the River Plate, Royal Navy
Releases
Date: 1956Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - SoundRuntime: 117 mins Length: 10587 FeetDialogue (original): English
Date: 1956Country: United KingdomRelease type: RestorationFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Sound - Mono
Date: August 2015Country: United KingdomRelease type: InternetFormat: not specified - Colour - SoundRuntime: 119 mins Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: BFIPlayer
Credits
(53)
©/Production Company: Arcturus Productions, opening logo [Presents]: The Rank Organisation, closing logo: British and Dominions Film Corporation, Released by: J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors, Executive Producer: Earl St. John, Produced by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Associate Producer: Sydney Streeter, Production Manager: John Brabourne, Production Controller: Arthur Alcott, Assistant Director: Charles Orme, Continuity: Betty Harley, Written by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Director of Photography: Christopher Challis, Camera Operator: Austin Dempster, Special Effects: Bill Warrington, Special Effects: James Snow, Editor: Reginald Mills, Production Designer: Arthur Lawson, Assistant Art Director: Donald Picton, Artistic Adviser: Hein Heckroth, Make Up: Geoffrey Rodway, Music Composed by: Brian Easdale, Musical Director: Frederic Lewis, Sound Recordist: C.C. Stevens, Gordon K. McCallum, [Sound Assistant]: Harry Fairbairn, Sound System: Westrex Recording System, Sound Editor: Arthur Stevens, Naval Adviser: Captain F.S. Bell, Technical Adviser on prison sequences: Captain Patrick Dove, Thanked in credits: The Admiralty, Thanked in credits: The Royal New Zealand Navy, Thanked in credits: The Indian Navy, Thanked in credits: United States Navy, Thanked in credits: The Uruguayan Navy, Thanked in credits: The British Merchant Navy, Thanked in credits: Meditteranean Commander-in-chief, Thanked in credits: Portsmouth Commander-in-chief, Thanked in credits: Lady Harwood, Thanked in credits: Admiral Sir W. Edward Parry, Thanked in credits: Admiral Sir Charles Woodhouse, Thanked in credits: The National Council of Government of Uruguay, Thanked in credits: The Friends of Uruguay Society, Thanked in credits: The River Plate Veterans Association, Thanked in credits: Commander United States Sixth Fleet, Thanked in credits: Officers and men of the Royal Navy, Royal Dockyards Ministry of Defence (Navy), Publicity: Jean Osborne, Made at: Pinewood Studios
Cast
(28)
John Gregson (Captain Bell, HMS Exeter), Anthony Quayle (Commodore Harwood, HMS Ajax), Ian Hunter (Captain Woodhouse, HMS Ajax), Jack Gwillim (Captain Parry, HMNZS Achilles), Bernard Lee (Captain Dove, MS Africa Shell), Lionel Murton (Mike Fowler), Anthony Bushell (Mr Millington-Drake, British Minister), Peter Illing (Dr Guani, Foreign Minister Uruguay), Michael Goodliffe (Captain McCall, British naval attache), Patrick Macnee (Lieutenant-Commander Medley), John Chandos (Dr Langmann, German minister Montevideo), Douglas Wilmer (M. Desmoulins, French minister Montevi..), William Squire (Ray Martin), Roger Delgado (Captain Varela, Uruguayan navy), Andrew Cruickshank (Captain Stubbs, Doric Star), Christopher Lee (Manolo), Edward Atienza (Pop), April Olrich (Dolores), Peter Finch (Captain Langsdorff, Admiral Graf Spee), Maria Mercedes ([Madame X]), John Schlesinger ([German officer]), John Le Mesurier ([padre]), Anthony Newley, Nigel Stock ([British officer aboard Graf Spee]), Richard Beale ([Captain Pottinger, Ashlea]), Diane Herman, Robert Crewdson, Tita Dane ([uncredited])
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(7)
In: Film Comment v31 n2 Mar/Apr 1995 Pages: 20-25Title: Battle of the River PlateAuthor: COMBS, Richard Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE within the context of various reviews of Powell and Pressburger films giving the contemporary background of the film
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v51 n611 December 1984 Page: 392
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v51 n611 December 1984: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note on cuts in the film since its original release.
In: Kinematograph Weekly n2568 1 Nov 1956 Page: 20
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n2568 1 Nov 1956: no known title]Language: English
In: Sight and Sound v26 n3 Winter 1956/57 Page: 152
Title: [Sight and Sound - v26 n3 Winter 1956/57: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v23 n275 December 1956 Page: 148
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v23 n275 December 1956: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v87 n7640 30 Oct 1956 Page: 9
Title: [Today's Cinema - v87 n7640 30 Oct 1956: no known title]Language: English
In: Daily Film Renter n7244 30 Oct 1956 Page: 7
Title: [Daily Film Renter - n7244 30 Oct 1956: no known title]Language: English
Books held in BFI Reuben Library
(1)
Title: last voyage of the Graf SpeeAuthor: POWELL, Michael Pages: 192 pages
Description: Originally published by Hodder & Stoughton, 1956. Copy presented to the Library by Michael Powell, September, 1978.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(40)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: MOVProRes 422 - BFI identifier: N-9561663
Status: Viewing
Description: DVDBFI identifier: C-1446570
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Digital materials(3)
Description: MOVProRes 422 - BFI identifier: N-9561663
Status: Viewing
Description: WAVProRes 422 - BFI identifier: N-9561666
Status: Master
Description: WAVProRes 422 - BFI identifier: N-9561673
Status: Master
Video materials(2)
Description: DVDBFI identifier: C-1446570
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-376506
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Film materials(35)
Description: Base: SafetyBFI identifier: C-13202
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 200 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-516472
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour InterpositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 27 FeetStock date: 1998BFI identifier: C-1033531
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour InterpositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 61 FeetStock date: 1998BFI identifier: C-1033532
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour InterpositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 96 FeetStock date: 1998BFI identifier: C-1033533
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour InterpositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 573 FeetStock date: 1998BFI identifier: C-1033534
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: AcetateSound: CombinedLength: 21366 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13196
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 9955 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13201
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 10629 FeetStock date: 1955BFI identifier: C-913155
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedFeetStock date: 1982Stock date: 1980BFI identifier: C-1047156
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedStock date: 2022BFI identifier: N-9781492
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedStock date: 1998BFI identifier: N-9417969
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedStock date: 1998BFI identifier: N-9534440
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedStock date: 1998BFI identifier: N-9534442
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: AcetateSound: CombinedLength: 21318 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13199
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm Colour Reversal InternegativeBase: CTASound: MuteStock date: 1982BFI identifier: N-9417943
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: AcetateSound: MuteLength: 20905 FeetBFI identifier: C-13197
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 250 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-517851
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm InternegativeBase: PolyesterSound: MuteStock date: 1997Stock date: 1998BFI identifier: N-9417971
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm InternegativeBase: CTASound: MuteStock date: 1984BFI identifier: N-9418108
Status: On loan
Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: AcetateSound: MuteLength: 20905 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13198
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 250 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-517854
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: AcetateSound: SoundLength: 10764 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-13195
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: SafetySound: SoundLength: 200 FeetStock date: 1957BFI identifier: C-517852
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 21397 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-764388
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original BW NegativeBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 1858 FeetBFI identifier: C-713484
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 10485 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-766442
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 249 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-766443
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 20927 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-960369
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 485 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-1047157
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 1858 FeetBFI identifier: C-713485
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm PositiveBase: SafetySound: MuteBFI identifier: N-9692411
Status: Master
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundStock date: 1982BFI identifier: N-9417964
Status: On loan - Restricted access to film on loan to BFI
Description: 35mm Yellow PromasterBase: AcetateSound: MuteLength: 20905 FeetBFI identifier: C-13200
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 250 FeetStock date: 1956BFI identifier: C-517849
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film