The Bedford Incident (1965)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

James B. Harris

Writers:

James Poe (screenplay)
Mark Rascovich (novel)

Release Date:

January 1966 (Austria)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The cold war just got hotter.

Plot:

An American destroyer captain is determined to confront a Soviet submarine caught violating territorial waters. Perhaps too determined.

Plot Keywords:

Destroyer | Submarine | Reporter | Confrontation | Crew

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Richard Widmark	...	Captain Eric Finlander U.S.N.
Sidney Poitier	...	Ben Munceford
James MacArthur	...	Ensign Ralston (as James Macarthur)
Martin Balsam	...	Lieut. Cmdr. Chester Potter, M.D., U.S.N.
Wally Cox	...	Seaman Merlin Queffle
Eric Portman	...	Commodore Wolfgang Schrepke Deutsche Marine
Michael Kane	...	Commander Allison Executive Officer - Bridge
Colin Maitland	...	Seaman Jones - Bridge
Paul Tamarin	...	Seaman 2nd Class - Bridge
Frank Lieberman	...	Seaman 1st Class - Bridge
James Caffrey	...	Seaman 1st Class - Bridge
Burnell Tucker	...	Seaman 1st Class - Bridge
Michael Graham	...	Lieutenant Krindlemeyer U.S.N. - Bridge
Bill Edwards	...	Lieutenant Hazelwood U.S.N. - Bridge
Stephen von Schreiber	...	Seaman 2nd Class - Bridge (as Stephen Von Schreiber)

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

Russian | English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Netherlands:AL | West Germany:12 (f) | UK:PG (video rating) (1987) | Finland:S | Norway:16 | Sweden:11 | UK:A (original rating) | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

Bedford Productions Ltd.

Trivia:

Donald Sutherland's feature film debut.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): During one of the final scenes, Sonar operator Queffle arrives on the ship's bridge in a state of shock and exhaustion. The medical officer is called to examine him. The doctor quickly checks Queffle's eyeballs, apparently to view the condition of his pupils. But he performs this exam with Queffle's eyeglasses still in place. The glasses would have distorted the doctors view of the pupils somewhat, possibly resulting in an incorrect diagnosis.

Quotes:

Ben Munceford: I've heard a lot about you, Commodore, but I never expected I'd meet you.
Commodore Schrepke: Is that so?
Ben Munceford: Not aboard an American destroyer.
Commodore Schrepke: (Is) that so surprising in these times?
Ben Munceford: I guess not, if one can make the switch mentally. But I, uh... I still connect you with... Hitler's navy.
Commodore Schrepke: Your pardon: Admiral Dönitz's navy, sir.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "American Masters: Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light" (2000)

" If He Fires One . . . . . I'll Fire One "

The Cold War is one of the world's most frightening conflicts ever as it nearly extinguished humanity. During this time, suspicious nations rattled atomic sabers at one another and secret agencies scurried about disseminating Ideological propaganda and psychological warfare, but for the most part the only thing accomplished was that Americans spent billions threatening a distant enemy who ultimately became our friend. One exceptional film which appear during this era, was " The Bedford Incident." It is the story of an American reporter Ben Munceford (Sidney Poitier) who seeks out a controversial naval officer, because he believes him to be a rare individual. That particular man is Captain Eric Finlander. (Richard Widmark) a no-nonsense commander who is determined to do his duty, even if it means destroying a stray Russian Submarine, armed with nuclear missiles. While Munceford is trying to fathom the Captain, he notices everyone under Finlander's command is being subjected to increasing pressure, enormous stress and intolerable strain to remain on high alert as if war could be initiated at any time. From an audience point of view, the tension on board the Bedford, mirrors the terrifying state of fear in the world. Helping the audience analyze the situation is Lieut. Cmdr. Chester Potter (Martin Balsam) a naval Doctor who warns the Captain of mounting psychological dangers of his crew. One such officer is Ensign Ralston (James MacArthur) who the doctor warns is wound 'too tight' to be on duty. Another is Seaman Merlin Queffle (Wally Cox) who believes he controls the ship. This is a remarkable film, for it's characters, it's drama and eventually it's inevitable ending. It's a reminder, the fears we create are as real as our nightmares. ****