Hell and High Water

This splendid submarine movie makes the best of the confined surroundings to pump up the atmosphere. Twentieth Century-Fox boss Darryl F Zanuck didn't want to spend too much time on this one, so he entrusted it to jobbing director Samuel Fuller and it became yet another heady Fuller brew, full of action, espionage, romance, anti-Communism and cardboard characterisation. The result is, of course, immensely enjoyable and a feast for Fuller fans. Richard Widmark stars as the sub's commander and the effective supporting cast includes David Wayne, Cameron Mitchell and Gene Evans. Sadly, leading lady Bella Darvi (who was Zanuck's mistress at the time) can't act.