Sir Donald Sinden R.I.P.

[Paul K]

I couldn't let this great actor's passing go without a mention here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29170107

The Cruel Sea is just about the most perfect war film ever made, and the pairing of Jack Hawkins as Captain Ericson with Sinden as his first officer, Lt. Lockhart , was inspired. I never tire of watching it, and their powerful yet understated performances. The quiet ending, where they are at anchor and reminiscing about the war just ended, and then that sunset with the brief mournful little fanfare, sends a shiver up me. You sense the passing of the most significant parts of their lives, and neither will ever find anything in the future to match it. It was utterly wonderful in every way.

Rest in peace, Sir Donald.

[Garry Russell]

Another sad loss

Yes the Cruel Sea...showed the suddenness and unexpected that was reality.

One of a team of core British actors of the time sadly most of whom have now gone.

I too never tire of watching such films

RIP

[cstorey]

I recall Donald Sinden in a powerful black and white TV play about an airline pilot who survives a crash in what was obviously based on a Viscount. He is accused of negligence and sets out to prove that it was a mechanical fault resulting in the propellers discing in what was the last stage of the approach. I cannot recall the outcome, but unlike so many of these things, it was very convincing

PS I believe it may have been " Seven days in the life of Andrew Pelham" 1971

[DaveB]

Hands to stations for leaving harbour!

Like many of you it would seem, I never tire of watching the Cruel Sea and in moments when it's not on, I have the VHS and DVD of it Who can forget what an absolute doll Virginia McKenna was in it too

R.I.P

ATB
DaveB

[Airspeed]

I know that I watched The Cruel Sea several decades back, and though it is a dim memory, I recall being moved by the film.
Perhaps the same story was serialised on the radio in the 50s.
As for the actors, I couldn't name them to save myself, but that has nothing to do with passage of time.

So, though I don't remember you by name, Sir Donald, R.I.P., and condolences to your loved ones.

[airboatr]

I recall Donald Sinden in a powerful black and white TV play about an airline pilot who survives a crash in what was obviously based on a Viscount. He is accused of negligence and sets out to prove that it was a mechanical fault resulting in the propellers discing in what was the last stage of the approach. I cannot recall the outcome, but unlike so many of these things, it was very convincing

PS I believe it may have been " Seven days in the life of Andrew Pelham" 1971

I searched the web for info on that. It was the last 6 episodes of the 1971 Thirty Minute Theatre season.

No videos uploaded though. Sounds very interesting. I'm interested in seeing it.

Cruel Sea in uploaded on youtube . The radio version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... LDkgcSex9o

I didn't know of the man, Donald Sinden, .

.... RIP.


Joe

[ChrisHunt]

The book is worth a read. One warning, it's thick enough to substitute for a table leg. Nicholas Monsarrat is the author - he has a number of other naval books to his name but I think Cruel Sea is the best of them. RIP Donald Sinden, by all accounts a true gentleman.

[Paul K]

The book is worth a read.

It certainly is, though the relationship between Lockhart and the WREN Julie Hallam ( Virginia McKenna's character in the film ) is dealt with at greater length and in more detail - and I think to the detriment of the book overall. Fine as a counterpoint to the horrors and exhaustion of war, but I ended up wanting the narrative to get back to sea and the convoys. The film got it just about right. Anyway, I must try reading Three Corvettes, also by Monsarrat.

I recall being moved by the film. Perhaps the same story was serialised on the radio in the 50s..

You're not thinking of The Navy Lark are you, Mike ?

[Airspeed]

You're not thinking of The Navy Lark are you, Mike ?
As in The Vicar of Dibley:
"Ye-ye-ye-y-y-..No."