"Devil and the Deep" is a dark drama set somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. It's based on a novel, "Sirenes et Tritons" (mermaids and tritons) by Maurice Larrouy (1882-1939). He was an officer in the French Navy who resigned early to devote his time to writing. Much of his writing was maritime stories. This film is no doubt an English revision that is set in the British Royal Navy.
From my decades as a movie buff, I can't think of any movie made about submarines before this one. And for an early sound film when Hollywood studios were expanding for major productions, the set for this one is amazing. The submarine portrayal is very good, especially the last scenes with the disaster.
The cast for this film is quite impressive, with two of the biggest leading male stars in the history of Hollywood - Gary Cooper and Cary Grant. Cooper was already well-established as a star from the late silent movie years. Grant was just three years younger than Cooper but was just starting in the cinema in 1932, and this was his fifth film that year. His next one, "Blonde Venus" that same year would cement his stardom as he co-stars with Herbert Marshall opposite Marlene Dietrich.
But now, this film also introduces Charles Laughton to American audiences. His career also started with the end of the silent films and start of sound pictures. He had just three shorts and one uncredited appearance in British films since 1928, but played the lead roles in each of a single picture he made in 1930 and 1931 - still East of the pond, in England. Laughton would go on to have one of the most distinguished film careers among U. K. actors. I don't think anyone could play the quiet, conniving and often times mad man better than Laughton. It's easy to imagine the title for this film, with the Devil inside Laughton's character.
But with all of that said, the female lead in this story is played very well by Tallulah Bankhead. And, it is she who is at the heart of the film, with Laughton's Commander Charles Sturm as her obsessively jealous husband. The story and screenplay are good enough to keep one wondering what Commander Sturm will eventually do. It's evident that he will do something, probably dastardly. It shows in his behavior that reeks of suspicion, distrust and dislike of his wife, and envy and hatred of the young men whom are officers that serve under hm.
But when it finally happens toward the end, it is somewhat shocking. It shows just how deeply insane Sturm was, all the while maintaining a calm and collected persona for all around him but his wife.
The story has a good plot and okay final ending, but it leaves one wondering, especially for more of the details about Sturm and his wife, how they met, etc. While the sets and filming were very good, The film quality suffers a little, and the plot and screenplay have some holes. But overall, this is a good film to see the early careers of three men who would be major stars of the cinema over the next three decades plus.
Here are some favorite lines from this film
Diane Sturm, "Men can be very spiteful when they're hurt, can't they? Lt. Sempter, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be spiteful. But I am hurt."
Diane Sturm, after hurrying into a shop to hide from Lt. Sempter, "I want one of these things." Shopkeeper, "A billiard cue, very good. Do you like a light one or a heavy one?" Diane Sturm, "Oh, medium."
Lt. Sempter, "What are you doing?" Diane Sturm, "I'm buying and billiard cue." Sempter, "What for?" Diane, "I want a billiard cue."
From my decades as a movie buff, I can't think of any movie made about submarines before this one. And for an early sound film when Hollywood studios were expanding for major productions, the set for this one is amazing. The submarine portrayal is very good, especially the last scenes with the disaster.
The cast for this film is quite impressive, with two of the biggest leading male stars in the history of Hollywood - Gary Cooper and Cary Grant. Cooper was already well-established as a star from the late silent movie years. Grant was just three years younger than Cooper but was just starting in the cinema in 1932, and this was his fifth film that year. His next one, "Blonde Venus" that same year would cement his stardom as he co-stars with Herbert Marshall opposite Marlene Dietrich.
But now, this film also introduces Charles Laughton to American audiences. His career also started with the end of the silent films and start of sound pictures. He had just three shorts and one uncredited appearance in British films since 1928, but played the lead roles in each of a single picture he made in 1930 and 1931 - still East of the pond, in England. Laughton would go on to have one of the most distinguished film careers among U. K. actors. I don't think anyone could play the quiet, conniving and often times mad man better than Laughton. It's easy to imagine the title for this film, with the Devil inside Laughton's character.
But with all of that said, the female lead in this story is played very well by Tallulah Bankhead. And, it is she who is at the heart of the film, with Laughton's Commander Charles Sturm as her obsessively jealous husband. The story and screenplay are good enough to keep one wondering what Commander Sturm will eventually do. It's evident that he will do something, probably dastardly. It shows in his behavior that reeks of suspicion, distrust and dislike of his wife, and envy and hatred of the young men whom are officers that serve under hm.
But when it finally happens toward the end, it is somewhat shocking. It shows just how deeply insane Sturm was, all the while maintaining a calm and collected persona for all around him but his wife.
The story has a good plot and okay final ending, but it leaves one wondering, especially for more of the details about Sturm and his wife, how they met, etc. While the sets and filming were very good, The film quality suffers a little, and the plot and screenplay have some holes. But overall, this is a good film to see the early careers of three men who would be major stars of the cinema over the next three decades plus.
Here are some favorite lines from this film
Diane Sturm, "Men can be very spiteful when they're hurt, can't they? Lt. Sempter, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be spiteful. But I am hurt."
Diane Sturm, after hurrying into a shop to hide from Lt. Sempter, "I want one of these things." Shopkeeper, "A billiard cue, very good. Do you like a light one or a heavy one?" Diane Sturm, "Oh, medium."
Lt. Sempter, "What are you doing?" Diane Sturm, "I'm buying and billiard cue." Sempter, "What for?" Diane, "I want a billiard cue."